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RIP Big Cat
"Big Cat" Ernie Ladd dead at 68
One of the true giants of professional football and professional wrestling, Ernie "The Big Cat" Ladd, has died. He was 68.
Ladd had battled cancer for years, including in his colon, stomach and bones, and died overnight, family members told the Monroe, LA News Star newspaper.
Born in Rayville, Louisiana on Nov. 28, 1938, and raised in Orange, Texas, The Big Cat rose to fame on the American Football League fields, drafted out of Grambling College by the San Diego Chargers, in 1960. At 6-foot-9 and 315 pounds, Ladd dominated the field like few others before or since.
He found that pro wrestling was a lucrative off-season pursuit, and made a national name for himself as one of the few African-American heels.
Ladd was honoured by the Cauliflower Alley Club for his contributions to wrestling in 2005, has been a member of the WWE Hall of Fame since 1995, the San Diego Chargers Hall of Champions since 2004, and the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame since 1994.
He is survived by his wife of more than 45 years, Roslyn, and four children.
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