[Deathwatch] Wahoo McDaniel, Ex-Athlete, 63

[Deathwatch Central]

Ex-Athlete Wahoo McDaniel, 63, Dies 
Fri Apr 19, 9:15 PM ET 

HOUSTON - Wahoo McDaniel, the former pro football player who became one
of pro wrestling's most flamboyant figures, has died of complications
from renal failure and diabetes. He was 63.
  
McDaniel, who lost both of his kidneys about 4 years ago, died Thursday
night at Cy-Fair Medical Clinic in Houston, his oldest daughter said.
He'd been in failing health in recent years, often undergoing kidney
dialysis. McDaniel was on a waiting list to receive a kidney
transplant.

He was born in Bernice, La., on June 19, 1938, and was a schoolboy
football star at Midland (Texas) High School in the 1950s.

McDaniel moved on to the University of Oklahoma, where he lettered at
linebacker from 1957-59. He holds the school record for the longest
punt with a 91-yarder against Iowa State in 1958.

"He was a wild, crazy Indian," daughter Nicky Rowe said Friday. "He was
bigger than life. He was just amazing."

The 5-foot-11, 280-pound McDaniel was selected by Los Angeles in the
second round of the American Football League draft in 1960. He bounced
around the AFL for much of his eight-year career, spending time with
the Houston Oilers, Denver Broncos, New York Jets and, finally, the
Miami Dolphins.

By the end of his football career, McDaniel had already established
himself as a big name in minor-league wrestling circuits around the
country. But as a member of the Jets, McDaniel began to headline
wrestling events at Madison Square Garden with the help of the arena's
owner, Sonny Werblin. Werblin also was involved in the ownership of the
Jets.

McDaniel capitalized on the stardom from his gridiron days to make a
smooth transition into full-time wrestling. He became one of the
country's most popular and beloved wrestlers during the '60s, '70s and
'80s.

"He was one of the first to make transition from football to
wrestling," said Bob Ryder, who operates the wrestling Web site,
1wrestling.com. "When he found out he was making more money as a
wrestler than a football player, he gave up football. He was such a big
star."

Over the course of his 30-year wrestling career, McDaniel had memorable
battles with wrestling stars such as "Nature Boy" Ric Flair, "Rowdy"
Roddy Piper and Sgt. Slaughter. He won several titles before retiring
in 1989.

"I wrestled all the top wrestlers in the world, and I traveled a lot,"
McDaniel said once. "I got to see a lot of places that I probably
wouldn't have gotten to see."

He was also fiercely proud of his Chickasaw Indian heritage and always
entered the ring with his trademark elaborate feather headdress.

Shortly after retiring, health problems limited McDaniel to one of his
newfound passions — golf. He lived in Charlotte, N.C., until recently,
but moved to Houston to live with his daughter and son-in-law as his
health began to deteriorate.

"He also became a mentor to a lot of other wrestlers," Rowe said. "He
was so famous, I just didn't realize it until now. We've got so many
calls from people."

Rowe said the family plans to cremate McDaniel's body and scatter the
ashes over a lake near Del Rio, which was once the favorite fishing
spot for her father and grandfather. They also plan to hold a memorial
service for McDaniel in Midland next week.

He is survived by two daughters and a son.