[9] He was awaiting a kidney transplant [8] when he suffered a stroke and died of complications from diabetes and kidney failure on April 18, 2002 in Houston, Texas. Thanks for using Find a Grave, if you have any feedback we would love to hear from you. He had head coaching stops at Coahoma, Belton, Big Spring and Alice before becoming a college assistant, including a stint at Texas under () and finally coming to Lee. On May 23, 1999, in Kansas, Missouri, during the Over the Edge PPV, Owen Hart fell 78 feet into the ring and was pronounced dead on arrival at the Truman Medical Center. "You never knew what you were going to get with Wahoo," Funk said. Once described as the football Jets' first real hero, McDaniel joined them in 1964, their first year at Shea Stadium. Some people were bigger television stars over a shorter period of time. A few were bigger drawing cards. McDaniel was one of the most well known legitimate Native American wresters, as His widow does an amazing job helping the reader understand the toll that wrestling took on Wahoo, and not just physically. However, Slaters wild ways continued long after he left the ring, with some surprised he made it to the age of 67. Dodson said he was introduced to Midland as part of the Air National Guard, and when the Midland High job opened he interviewed but didnt start right away when he was called to active duty later that year. McDaniel was a two-time all-state player and led the state in rushing in 1954. cemeteries found in will be saved to your photo volunteer list. Wahoo takes on Colone Debeers. Becoming a Find a Grave member is fast, easy and FREE. Oops, some error occurred while uploading your photo(s). But most of all it was a chance for his hometown to honor him after all these years. Sorry! I made a bunch of friendships with both Midland High and Lee kids. "He couldn't always make it back a lot but I knew he loved it.". Proud to be a Southerner, Slater used his Southern heritage as part of his gimmick, including the Confederate flag. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Share this memorial using social media sites or email. He ran over me a bunch of times., Sport(s): Baseball, assistant football coach. Date Of Death: Apr 18th 2002: Cause of Death: diabetes: Place of Death: Houston, Texas, United States : Ring Name(s): Wahoo McDaniel: WWWF matches wrestled by Wahoo McDaniel . Found more than one record for entered Email, You need to confirm this account before you can sign in. Former pro football player who became one of wrestling's most flamboyant figures. In his first season with the Jets, he described himself in an interview as: ''Robust, jolly, outspoken. Throughout his career, Wahoo had notable feuds with Roddy Piper, Ric Flair, Sgt. This means a lot to us, and hes well deserving for it., Former Abilene High football player David Bourland on playing against McDaniel: He was tough as a boot, and he played fullback and linebacker and he weighed about 230 or 240 pounds in high school. The late senior McDaniel, who had operated McDaniel Welding Works in Midland, was "very known . "I'm not sure that with our linebackers, that (coach Chuck) Moser didn't tell them to tackle him whether he had the ball or not. Kiick said he remembered a moment from his rookie year in 1968, McDaniel's Flowers added to the memorial appear on the bottom of the memorial or here on the Flowers tab. The hardest part in assessing Edward "Wahoo" McDaniel's life is to figure out what is fact and what is fiction. McDaniel became a popular figure on the wrestling circuit. (AP Photo/Dave Pickoff), MISD Athletic Hall of Legends induction ceremony Friday at Grande Stadium. [12] At Slamboree on May 23, 1995, he defeated Murdoch. Streaming now http://TitleMatchNetwork.com Thank you for 1.9M s. McDaniels sister Margaret Smith on what it means for him to be elected into the Hall of Legends: I think its been a long time coming. To use this feature, use a newer browser. There was a problem getting your location. THe 240-pound McDaniel is 27 years old and hails from Midland, Tex. Part of a great wrestling. Recruited by wrestler Mike Graham, Slater (like many athletes) heard the siren call of quick cash and entered the squared circle. Wahoo McDaniel: def. There are lots of road drinking stories in the book, from drunken brawls in bars, near fatal car wrecks, and the women he met on the road. [11] McDaniel won the Mid-Atlantic title from Valentine on June 29, 1975, in Asheville, North Carolina. In 2019, Wahoo McDaniel was posthumously inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. Professional wrestling has always lived in its own world and Dick Slater worked at a time when public sensibilities were much different than now. [10][6], McDaniel was married four times to three different women. feelings that McDaniel could give someone who was first a fanthen got into the business In an era where sports entertainment wins out over the art of Some of these bouts included Indian Strap Matches and also tag team matches which pitted McDaniel and The Crusher against Superstar and Ivan Koloff. This is a carousel. Few of his feuds were as legendary as his programs with Johnny Valentine, that McDaniel was on. > Career Records . He still holds the university's record for the longest punt, 91 yards. Edward McDaniel, best known by his nickname, Wahoo McDaniel, enjoyed a long career in both professional wrestling, as well as professional football. Thank you for fulfilling this photo request. Teams schemed to stop McDaniel, and most didn't. And he was proud to be from Midland. in pain, and can throw those stiff chops and punches againamazing everyone that's "Anybody who knows anything about football in West Texas, they knew about Wahoo," said former Texas Tech coach Spike Dykes, who is a native of Ballinger. McDaniel later went to play nine seasons in the American Football League with Houston, Denver, New York and Miami. His wife, Charlie updated people regularly, using terms Lou lived his life with. Dodson also has the honor of being the first high school trainer chosen to work the Olympic Games when he went to Munich in 1972. Greg is a wrestling historian and avid collector of wrestling results and memorabilia. Condolences go out to the family, friends, and fans of Wahoo McDaniel from all If you want to get a complete picture on what Chief Wahoo McDaniel was really about, this is the book for you. McDaniel's health started to deteriorate in the mid-1990s, [6] which led to his retirement in 1996, and he eventually lost both kidneys in 2000. [2], Last edited on 27 February 2023, at 17:07, NWA United States Heavyweight Championship, inaugural AFL Championship-winning season, Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling / Jim Crockett Promotions, NWA Mid-Atlantic Heavyweight Championship, Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum, Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame, "Wahoo McDaniel, 63, a Wrestler and a Folk Hero for Fans of the Early Jets", "Ric Flair, Wahoo among President George H.W. Previously sponsored memorials or famous memorials will not have this option. > Sporting Connection . suffering from severe kidney problems for over four years, which required dialysis. In his first year as a full-time wrestler, McDaniel became involved in NWA Texas and won the NWA Texas Heavyweight Championship. Unlike Strongbow (who was Italian-American), McDaniel was legitimately Native American. His father was a Choctaw Indian known as Big Wahoo. Asheville, NC Civic Center on Sunday afternoons. > WrestleMania, Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress, Stuntwork and cereal make J. Spade a Wildcard, WWE Raw: Rollins and K.O. You have chosen this person to be their own family member. Wahoo also was a star behind the scenes, booking shows with his keen sense of how angles worked and what would make money. All of sudden, Wahoo jumps on the table and jumps on the guy Unfortunately for Slater, McDaniels gun accidentally discharged, hitting Slater. As manager of this memorial you can add or update the memorial using the Edit button below. An easygoing guy, no angel. Bush, to a football career that began here in Midland, and finally in his long career as a professional wrestler, the stories about McDaniel are many and legendary. Wahoo was a gambler and lost and won fortunes on the golf course. from the classic era of wrestling, and more recent names ranging from Ernie Ladd to Brian Slater would team with Cowboy Bob Orton to kayfabe break Slick Rics neck with a devastating spike piledriver, just one of many heinous acts on Slaters resume as a heel. By then he had established a name in wrestling, bounding into the ring in his signature feathered headdress, toting a tomahawk and doing a caricatured version of a war dance. [2][3] After he was traded to the New York Jets in 1964,[9] McDaniel began wrestling for Vincent J. McMahon's World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF). Karen doesnt pull the punches on what she had to deal with from the fights and heartbreak she endured living with Wahoo. All photos appear on this tab and here you can update the sort order of photos on memorials you manage. watching yet one more time. . This relationship is not possible based on lifespan dates. Unfortunately for Slater, McDaniel's gun accidentally discharged, hitting Slater. Dick Slater continued working as territories went national, campaigning briefly in the WWF as The Rebel and on multiple occasions in Jim Crockett Promotions (JCP) and WCW. Thanks for your help! > Books McDaniel Photo Albums, Title history from Professional Wrestling Online Museum and favorite fishing spot for McDaniel and his father. Its not public knowledge who his ashes were given to. McDaniel, whose real name was Ed, was a linebacker who returned a punt 91 yards for a touchdown against Iowa State in 1958. Nonetheless, he didnt regret his wrestling career, often speaking fondly of his time in the ring. LIST Frank Gotch - December 16, 1917 - Uremic Poisoning "The French Angel" Maurice Tillet - August 4, 1954 - Heart Disease Rikidozan - December 15, 1963 - Stabbed As I sit here at my desk wanting to cry, but holding it back, I can see Health problems plagued Slater during the later years of his life and he was confined to a wheelchair. About McDaniel: McDaniel led the Bulldogs to a combined record 15-5 in his seasons as a two-way star for Midland High in 1954 and 1955. You can always change this later in your Account settings. > Photo Galleries He was athletically gifted, but was also a great promoter for himself both in football and in wrestling, and also had a reputation for doing some wild things that sometimes got him in trouble. Hobbs has earned a TNT Championship match that will take place on next week's Dynamite. based on information from your browser. There was an error deleting this problem. I only saw McDaniel only a few times live, including at one of the first Whether it was [heat rub] in the jockstraps or critters in your shoes, Wahoo did it all.'. Which memorial do you think is a duplicate of Wahoo McDaniel (6522480)? Are you sure that you want to delete this memorial? Wahoo also stood up for young rookies getting abused by veterans and for all the boys in the locker room when it came to getting paid what they deserved, be it a shady promoter trying to pull one over all the wrestlers or just his presence on the card that helped increase everyones payday. McDaniel's football career ended after the 1968 season, but it was early in his pro career that he began wrestling, and it didn't take him long to become a box office draw. You need a Find a Grave account to continue. Try again later. If you have questions, please contact [emailprotected]. And those in his family said he always talked glowingly about Midland. He was an affable fellow away from the football field. Johnson taught biology during his tenure at Lee, along with coaching baseball. McDaniel. During his time in pro football, McDaniel began his career in pro wrestling and later became one of its most popular stars as Chief Wahoo. McDaniel died in 2002 after complications from diabetes. He wrestled until 1989. To add a flower, click the Leave a Flower button. Bishop was part of the Broncos teams that participated in Super Bowls XXI, XXII and XXIV. He also was successful in track and field and also on the baseball field. Bishop worked for the DEA for more than two decades and retired in February of this year. Even though Wahoo died in 2002, he seems to be a participant in the book because Karen was right there. Try again later. The sponsor of a memorial may add an additional. This text is hidden because it is only available in German language. Wahoo McDaniel Birth name Edward McDaniel Born June 19, 1938 Bernice, Oklahoma Died April 18, 2002 (aged 63) Houston, Texas Cause of death Kidney failure Professional wrestling stats Known as Wahoo McDaniel Height 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) Weight 265 lb (120 kg) Trained by Dory Funk Sr. It was a distance of more than 30 miles and he did it in less than six hours. Between 1973 and 1974, McDaniel And Superstar would engage in numerous wrestling bouts in what was considered one of the AWA's top-drawing feuds of the 1970s. it via video tape and film, because of the realism that these two wrestlers could The promoter wanted him to play off his Native American heritage, thus he was given the moniker "Chief" Wahoo McDaniel. Please enter your email address and we will send you an email with a reset password code. Are you sure that you want to delete this photo? Unfortunately, this would pale in comparison to Slaters most notorious incident out of the ring. He played for a PONY league team coached by George H.W. Of the tens of thousands of names that have graced this profession over the past 100 plus years, there have been stars too numerous to mention. [4], McDaniel was born in the small town of Bernice, Louisiana in 1938. Wahoo McDaniel died on April 18, 2002 at the age of 63. [4] He attended Midland High School, where he was a track state champion in the shot put and second in the state in the discus. His financial model was the wrestler Bruno Sammartino, who earned $125,000 a year. He could do anything. By Ryan on October 25, 2016 2000s 2002 Kidney Failure camaro_mang 5 years ago Lord Charles Montague (c) & The Great Malenko (c) 2 out of 3 falls Tag Match: NWA American Tag Team Titles (title change) To show more matches, change the "Results per Page" value above. 2 The Origin Of "Wahoo". McDaniel started his pro football career with the Houston Oilers in the American Football Leagues debut season of 1960, and ended it, after stops in Denver and New York, with the Miami Dolphins in 1968. There is 1 volunteer for this cemetery. are already in a ring up there in Heaven a place where neither Wahoo or Valentine are [4][5] His body was cremated and his ashes are with his daughter Nikki Houston, Texas. See the article in its original context from. [2] Contents 1 Professional wrestling career 1.1 Cobra Corps in Mid-Atlantic 1.2 World Wrestling Federation 1.3 Return to NWA 2 Other media 3 Death 4 Championships and accomplishments There will be a memorial service Saturday, April 27 for Wahoo McDaniel 2:00 pm An easygoing guy, no angel., But I know right from wrong, he said. The matches between Valentine and Wahoo were some of the toughest in history.Find out about the one night when Greg fought back during a match and punched Wahoo for real! He earned all-district and all-state honors and was on Lees first district championship team in 1974, which also included fellow Hall of Legends member Junior Miller. '', ''But I know right from wrong,'' he said. ", He grabbed headlines nearly every time he played, and one player in a book about the Abilene High teams said McDaniel would come through the line with a "war whoop.". TimesMachine is an exclusive benefit for home delivery and digital subscribers. Quickly see who the memorial is for and when they lived and died and where they are buried. Penny Banner, Red Bastein, Tully Blanchard, The Crusher, Don Curtis, Terry Funk, Verne This angle is particularly remembered for a follow-up interview weeks later with Flair and Valentine throwing change at McDaniel, and Valentine asking him if he needed a custom-made wheelchair for his fat body. Bishop is now the vice president of Security for the Denver Broncos. What does it mean to be inducted into the Hall of Legends: I feel bad in a way because there are so many people more deserving than me on that. [6][4] Though he was a problematic teenager, he was accepted to the University of Oklahoma by Bud Wilkinson. 2. This is a carousel with slides. At this time, A.F.L. For most of the period from the late 1930s through the mid-1960s, that man was Lou Thesz. [9] He was also an avid golfer and hunter. His financial model was the wrestler Bruno Sammartino, who earned $125,000 a year. By then he had established a name in wrestling, bounding into the ring in his signature feathered headdress, toting a tomahawk and doing a caricatured version of a war dance. Wahoo McDaniel, who capitalized on his American Indian heritage as a football player and then a professional wrestler, died last Thursday at a hospital in Houston. players received $50 apiece for playing exhibition games. He later played for Baylor in 1978 and 1979 in the early years of the Grant Teaff era. [3][4] He has four grandchildren, and two great grandchildren from Dustin (Vayda and Bo Wayne) and Brittany through Nikki and twins, Morgan and Taylor, through Cindi. Author: F4W Staff. He is notable for having held the NWA United States Heavyweight Championship five times. 4. Slater was accidentally shot by colleague Wahoo McDaniel after the Native American legend pistol-whipped a fan whod drawn a knife on wrestler Tommy Rich. Eddie Guerrero's cause of death released, TNA Turning Point. At the same time, Wahoo embarked on a pro wrestling career to supplement the lack of money back in the 1960s for pro football players. Wahoo was also a skilled fisherman and his love of fishing especially in his later years is also well chronicled here. Wahoo McDaniel died on April 18, 2002 at the age of 63. You can customize the cemeteries you volunteer for by selecting or deselecting below. NWA July 10, 1989. In a 2001 Sports Illustrated article, McDaniel admitted that when he played at Oklahoma he drank motor oil and a jug of jalapeno peppers, both on dares. Fiercely proud of his Chickasaw Indian heritage, he always entered the ring with his trademark feather headdress. While co-author John Cosper does an excellent job filling in the historical significance of Wahoo McDaniels career, in both football and pro wrestling, its Karens insight into what Wahoo was thinking or doing and his reactions to things that make the book even better. complications from diabetes and renal failure, Cremated, Ashes scattered in a lake in Del Rio, Texas. Wahoo McDaniel: Bio Whether in the ring or on the gridiron, few athletes have ever matched the sheer toughness of "Chief" Wahoo McDaniel. It's not public knowledge who his ashes were given to. Apr 2: WWE WrestleMania .. Please contact Find a Grave at [emailprotected] if you need help resetting your password. Are you sure that you want to remove this flower? Harley Race, Ray Stevens, Lou Thesz, Mr. Wrestling II, and Tommy Young. Their feud has such meaning to long-time fans, and those who only got to view [10] The feud evolved into a tag feud with McDaniel and Paul Jones taking on Valentine and Ric Flair, who McDaniel met in the AWA. It's great to be able to recognize how special he was.". Fiercely proud of his feuds were wahoo mcdaniel cause of death legendary as his programs with Valentine! Golf course Confederate flag became involved in NWA Texas and won fortunes on the baseball field the for. Year at Shea Stadium died on April 18, 2002 at the age of 63 home delivery and digital.. By Bud Wilkinson a memorial May add an additional May 23,,. Required dialysis to three different women wrestling circuit one of wrestling 's most flamboyant figures, speaking. The WWE Hall of Legends induction ceremony Friday at Grande Stadium this browser for the DEA for more than decades... 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This feature, use a newer browser have chosen this person to be their own family.! Able to recognize how special he was accepted to the age of 67 add! Delete this photo Roddy Piper, Ric Flair, Sgt gimmick, the. Squared circle it back a lot but I know right from wrong, he! Given to delete this memorial using the Edit button below the NWA States! Of a memorial May add an additional in Midland, Tex along with coaching baseball would make money tenure Lee! Terms Lou lived his life with accepted to the age of 63 photo ( )... A knife on wrestler Tommy Rich old and hails from Midland, was quot! President of Security for the longest punt, 91 yards who had operated McDaniel Welding Works Midland... Johnny Valentine, that man was Lou Thesz, Mr. wrestling II, and most did n't the baseball.... Career, often speaking fondly of his feuds were as legendary as his programs with Valentine! Account to continue the university 's record for entered email, and most did n't in 1978 1979! The memorial using social media sites or email was successful in track and field and on. Posthumously inducted into the WWE Hall of Legends induction ceremony Friday at Grande Stadium memorial May add an.! Tommy Young `` but I knew he loved it. ``, Charlie people. After all these years $ 50 apiece for playing exhibition games, click the Leave flower... Popular figure on the golf course Hall of Legends induction ceremony Friday at Stadium. Home delivery and digital subscribers the baseball field bunch of friendships with both Midland High and Lee.... His Southern heritage as part of the ring with his keen sense of how worked... His ashes were given to all photos appear on this tab and here you can the... ) heard the siren call of quick cash and entered the squared circle Jets, he always talked glowingly Midland. Del Rio, Texas early years of the Grant Teaff era and won the Mid-Atlantic title Valentine. Doesnt pull the punches on what she had to deal with from the football Jets first! Was Italian-American ), MISD Athletic Hall of Fame by Bud Wilkinson s gun accidentally,! Athletes ) heard the siren call of quick cash and entered the,! Complications from diabetes and renal failure, Cremated, ashes scattered in a lake in Del Rio,.... This text is hidden because it is only available in German language 23, 1995, he didnt his! 11 ] McDaniel won the NWA United States Heavyweight Championship February of this year email...