What happened to William “The Refrigerator” Perry?
William “The Refrigerator” Perry faced high expectations when the Chicago Bears selected him out of Clemson in the first round of the 1985 NFL Draft. Perry did not disappoint as he became a household name his rookie season. Life after football, however, has been a struggle for the retired defensive tackle.
Why is Nick Perry called the refrigerator?
Nicknamed " The Refrigerator " because of his imposing size, he played college football at Clemson and was selected by the Bears in the first round of the 1985 NFL Draft. Perry gained popularity during his rookie season as a member of the Bears team that won the franchise's first Super Bowl title in Super Bowl XX.
Who said Ray Brown is as big as a refrigerator?
The player, Ray Brown, said "Man, you're about as big as a refrigerator." In 1985, he was selected in the first round of the 1985 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears; he had been hand-picked by coach Mike Ditka. However, defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan, who had a highly acrimonious relationship with Ditka, called Perry a "wasted draft-pick".
How old is Ken fridge now?
"A block just sits more comfortably in my hand." The 37-year-old Fridge has been laying brick and block ever since he pulled down the curtain on his football career, leaving the Monarchs with two games remaining in the 1996 World League of American Football season and returning to his native Aiken. In that time he has come a long way as a mason.
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What happened to William The Refrigerator Perry?
In 2008, Perry was diagnosed with Guillain-Barre syndrome, a chronic condition that causes nerve damage. As a result, he was hospitalized one year after, and it was later revealed that he was losing his hearing and had lost 100 pounds. But that was just the beginning of the fall of the Refrigerator.
What happened to the football player William Perry?
In 2011, ESPN revealed that Perry was an alcoholic and that during his playing career the Bears had arranged for him to check into a rehab facility. Now, Perry has lost most of his fortune that he made from playing in the NFL.
Is Refrigerator Perry Still Alive 2021?
Former Chicago Bears defensive lineman William "Refrigerator" Perry is alive and "fine," according to his agent -- and later, Perry himself -- despite a Twitter report to the contrary Wednesday morning. "I know he is not dead," Perry's agent, Adam Plotkin, told the Tribune.
How much does William Perry weigh now?
335 lbWilliam Perry (American football)No. 72, 90, 95Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)Weight:335 lb (152 kg)Career informationHigh school:Aiken (SC)16 more rows
Why is William Perry in a wheelchair?
He briefly cut the habit after a stint in rehab, but in 2008 he was diagnosed with Guillain-Barre Syndrome, "a disorder triggered when a person's immune system attacks his peripheral nervous system," that put Perry in a wheelchair and soon he was back on the bottle.
How is William Perry?
Today, William Perry lives in an assisted living facility. He mainly gets around via wheelchair, but sometimes uses a walker. When he feels up to it — and those days are rare — he drives around in his Hummer. Perry still gets recognized and when he does, he flashes that memorable gap-toothed smile.
Did William Perry sell his Super Bowl ring?
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Chicago football icon William Perry's Super Bowl ring sold for a super-sized price at auction on Thursday night. The diamond-encrusted 1985 Super Bowl XX championship ring, the largest ever made for a football player, sold for $203,150.
Who was the heaviest NFL player ever?
The heaviest nfl player ever is Trent Brown. He is the offensive tackle of the New England Patriots after the exchange in March. The giant Brown weighs 380 lbs.
How much did William Perry make in the NFL?
The Bears first offered No. 1 choice William Perry an average of $330,000 a year for four years. This figure included what the defensive lineman could earn in weight clauses if he watches his figure. It also included a signing bonus of $300,000 on top of annual salaries of $100,000, $125,000, $150,000, and $175,000.
How old is William Perry?
59 years (December 16, 1962)William Perry / Age
How tall is William Perry?
6′ 2″William Perry / Height
How fast did William Perry run the 40 yard dash?
5.1 secondsThere are those people who look at Perry, who is 6 feet 3, and think he can't possibly have the agility or quickness to be an effective defensive player. What they don't know is that Perry can dunk a basketball or that he runs a 40-yard dash in 5.1 seconds, which is about average for a lineman.
How much did William Perry make in the NFL?
The Bears first offered No. 1 choice William Perry an average of $330,000 a year for four years. This figure included what the defensive lineman could earn in weight clauses if he watches his figure. It also included a signing bonus of $300,000 on top of annual salaries of $100,000, $125,000, $150,000, and $175,000.
Did William Perry sell his Super Bowl ring?
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Chicago football icon William Perry's Super Bowl ring sold for a super-sized price at auction on Thursday night. The diamond-encrusted 1985 Super Bowl XX championship ring, the largest ever made for a football player, sold for $203,150.
Is William Perry in the Hall of Fame?
William Perry: 2006 WWE Hall of Fame Inductee | WWE. William Perry, inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2006, was one of the Chicago Bears' most feared defensive linemen, and competed in the 20-Man WWE and NFL Battle Royal at WrestleMania 2.
How old is William The Refrigerator Perry?
59 years (December 16, 1962)William Perry / Age
Why does Michael Dean keep the fridge under his power?
Willie is more desperate than that. “Jealousy, ” he says, is why Michael Dean keeps Fridge under his power. “When William was messed up, it made sense, but not now.” Willie claims that Michael Dean, who lives 150 miles away from Fridge, is only giving his brother the “minimum care” that he needs; he suggests that Fridge doesn’t see the necessary doctors or attend certain autograph and celebrity outings where he could make much-needed money. This Michael Dean finds hilarious; he says that he was the one who nursed Fridge back to health in 2009, that his sister Patsy is now in Aiken taking care of their brother and that William’s own stubbornness explains his missing appointments. He also claims that Willie wants to pry guardianship away so he can use Fridge himself as “his cash cow.”
Why does my fridge reeks of urine?
The thing is, Fridge can’t move from his driver’s seat. His car reeks of urine because he sometimes can’t control his bladder, sometimes doesn’t care. And there’s not a medical journal on diabetes or the central nervous system anywhere that recommends alcohol consumption of this frequency for good health.
How much is Perry's Super Bowl ring worth?
So is his Super Bowl ring—at size 25, believed to be the largest ever made—auctioned off a year ago for $200,000, without Fridge getting anything for it.
How much weight does Perry have?
So the love and support he receives from others is dead-ended by his stubbornness. Perry can barely walk, and only then with a walker. He’s at least 150 pounds overweight—around 430, even 450, according to friends and family. He doesn’t work with physical therapists, or wear the compression socks or orthopedic shoes that he should. His hearing is terrible but he won’t wear his hearing aids, so he ends up virtually reading lips unless you are close to him and speaking loudly.
How big was Emmanuel Lewis on Letterman?
Humor was maintained that night on Letterman with some gags about eating, and when Fridge saw 43-inch, 36-pound teenage actor Emmanuel Lewis (of TV’s Webster) in the green room, he told a reporter, “Man, last time I was that small was when I was born.”.
Where is the fridge in Michael Dean's car?
Fridge is in his car, parked under a shade tree near some men playing checkers. Two months from now he’ll be hospitalized briefly for what Willie describes as a ministroke, his second in a short period. Michael Dean will deny that either ever occurred. But for now the big man is at ease, drinking beer from his cooler, his buddy Epps nearby, smoking and drinking, wiping away sweat with a white towel draped over his shoulder. We’re barely two blocks from where Fridge was raised, and that seems relevant.
What does the acrid stench from his car interplay with the fragrance of?
The acrid stench from his car interplays with the fragrance of apple blossoms drifting in the breeze. He’s making a stand right here. A declaration.
Refrigerator Perry Now: Is William Perry Still Alive?
The Refrigerator, William Perry, is still alive and is fine despite the erroneous death report. In 2013, his representative Adam Plotkin told the Tribune that Perry was not dead.
William Perry Health Issues - What Happened Tom Him?
Soon after his retirement, William Perry began to face several health issues. A report shows, his weight ballooned up to over 450 pounds. His health problems followed diabetes, circulatory problems in both legs, and trouble hearing.
How Much Is William Perry Net Worth?
According to Celebrity Net Worth, William Perry has a net worth estimated at around $10 thousand. He might have earned a good sum of money from his career as an athlete.
What does the refrigerator do on the boat?
By walking from the bow to the stern, the Fridge has raised the front of the boat a yard or so out of the water, inadvertently weighing anchor. This earns him a rebuke from his father-in-law, a wiry man with a mischievous grin and a competitive streak, a man who has elevated piscatorial trash talk to an art form.
How many girls does Perry have?
His life is more than full. He and Sherry have three girls and a boy: Latavia, 17, Norie, 14, "Little" William, 8, and Sherria, 3. The Fridge's work is hard and satisfying. If he's put on a few (dozen) pounds since his playing days, Perry still contends that he's in pretty good shape.
How many seasons did Perry play?
His ferocity against the run was the trait that made Perry a first-round pick of the Bears and the trait that would enable him to play 10 solid seasons in the NFL. He was a force of nature in the face of running backs, a wrecking ball replete with fast-twitch muscle fibers.
What does Perry say when he is not working?
When he's not working, he heads for the water. "Don't get no better than this," says Perry, sitting on the deck of the boat. A zephyr ripples the water of Lake Thurmond. The bream and shellcrackers are biting. The big man is asked if he misses celebrity and its trappings. Here it comes again, the gap-toothed grin. "This is me now," he says. "Those things you're talking about, that's just stuff in the breeze."
How old was William the Waifish?
It always has been, dating to the days when an 11-year-old William—then a waifish 200 pounds—was the scourge of the pool at Aiken's Eustace Park, dunking everyone in sight, lifeguards and his future father-in-law included.
Did Perry vexed Ditka?
Perry did not entirely back up that claim in the years that followed. He vexed Ditka annually, reporting to camp scores of pounds overweight. The farther north of 320 the Fridge pushed the needle, the less effective a player he was. Ditka fined him, publicly humiliated him and all but eliminated his role with the offense. The Fridge carried the ball only once in 1986 and once in '87. Both times he fumbled.
Did Ditka put his rookie in the backfield?
The following October, as the Bears prepared for a rematch with the Niners, Ditka put his spherical rookie in the backfield. The Fridge had two carries in that game. Neither was on the goal line; neither went for more than two yards. Both times, however, Perry moved the pile as if it had been bulldozed.
How fast was Perry on the 100 yard dash?
During an exercise in which his coach instructed all of his fastest players to line up for a 100-yard dash, Perry joined the group of running backs, wide receivers and defensive backs and eventually was timed as the 6th fastest runner on the entire team, with a time of 11 seconds flat.
What was the song that Perry sang at the Super Bowl?
Walter Payton and Perry recorded an anti- drug, pro-peace rap tune entitled "Together" which was written by four Evanston, Illinois teens.
When did the refrigerator come out?
The Fridge – William "Refridgerator" Perry – was first available as a mail-order offer from Hasbro Direct in early 1987. He was available through 1988, and then again in 1989. The figure had the number 72 emblazoned on his chest (the number Perry wore on his Chicago Bears jersey).
Where did William Perry play college football?
Nicknamed " The Refrigerator " for his imposing size, he played college football at Clemson University ...
How big is Perry's ring?
His ring size is 25, while the ring size for the average adult male is between 10 and 12. Perry went on to play for ten years in the NFL, retiring after the 1994 season. In his ten years as a pro, he regularly struggled with his weight, which hampered his performance at times.
Who is William Perry's brother?
Michael Dean Perry , his younger brother and another former NFL defensive lineman, was William's guardian and conservator for his affairs. In January 2016, Perry, weighing more than 425 pounds, checked himself into the hospital to receive treatment for diabetes.
What medical condition did William Perry have?
Various medical conditions and financial issues. William Perry also dealt with a number of medical conditions following his dental procedure, including an advanced case of Guillain-Barre Syndrome — an autoimmune disease that could start with muscle weakness and eventually progress to paralysis or even death.
When did the fridge come out?
In 1986, the Fridge appeared at the then-WWF's second iteration of WrestleMania, joining fellow pro football standouts such as Bill Fralic, Russ Francis, and Bears teammate Jimbo Covert in a battle royal pitting NFL stars against WWF wrestlers.
How many hot dogs did Perry eat in 5 minutes?
According to Sportscasting, Perry also tried his luck in the world of competitive eating. Despite his reputation as a big eater, he only ended up consuming four hot dogs in five minutes in the 2003 Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest.
Did William Perry have kids?
Most fans who remembered William Perry from his glory days in the NFL were first informed of his dire situation in a 2011 article from ESPN's Tom Friend. The piece took a look at how the defensive tackle was still doing quite well for himself after retirement, starting a construction company with his father-in-law and living in a large house with his then-wife, Sherry, and their four children. However, the Fridge's drinking started spiraling out of control due to how easy it was to score free booze during the autograph sessions he hosted around that time. That led to Sherry filing for divorce in 2003 and gaining custody of the kids and the house.
What does fridge tip back?
Fridge is tipping back a beer and appears to be a tad inebriated, louder than usual, more demonstrative. ... Despite all the tumult, this is pretty much what Fridge does every day now: hang out with people who lack apparent jobs or places to be, shoot the breeze and drink. He's got his own vodka cup.
Where is the refrigerator in Perry's house?
The entire story is well worth a read and goes into agonizing detail, but here are a couple of paragraphs that capture Perry's lifestyle: Fridge is in his office -- that is, he's in his white Hummer H2, parked in the driveway of a ramshackle house on Ridgewood Lane in Aiken.
Why does my car reeks of urine?
His car reeks of urine because he sometimes can't control his bladder, sometimes doesn't care. And there's not a medical journal on diabetes or the central nervous system anywhere that recommends alcohol consumption of this frequency for good health.
How many touchdowns did Perry score in his rookie year?
Perry, the Bears' massive defensive lineman from 1985 until 1993, quickly became one of the most popular players in the league after bursting onto the scene during his rookie year on both offense (he scored three rushing touchdowns in his rookie year, including one in the Super Bowl) and defense. His life after football, though, has taken ...
Who was the refrigerator in 1985?
The day before, details regarding the dire health and financial shape of William Perry, a key member of that 1985 unit, were revealed by Sports Illustrated's Rick Telander in a lengthy profile on the player best known as "The Refrigerator. ".
Does William Perry have CTE?
His younger brother, Michael Dean, says he believes that Perry has "traces of CTE," a brain disease that the NFL recently admitted is tied to football. Perry's older brother, Willie, accused Dean, who is Perry's guardian, of not doing enough to help Perry, but Dean refuted that accusation. William Perry watches a Bears game this past season.
Who was the architect of the 1985 Bears defense?
In a new story, some scary details are shed on Perry's lifestyle. On Tuesday, Buddy Ryan, the architect of the 1985 Bears defense, arguably the most dominant group in the history of football, passed away. The day before, details regarding the dire health and financial shape of William Perry, a key member of that 1985 unit, ...
What health problems did William Perry have?
Soon after William Perry retired, his troubles started. According to reports, Perry’s weight ballooned up to over 450 pounds. Health issues followed including diabetes, circulatory problems in both legs, and trouble hearing. In 2008, he learned he had Guillain-Barré syndrome, which produces neurological problems that can leave victims paralyzed and on life support. The condition almost killed him in 2009, when he lost a shocking 190 pounds in a short period of time and was hospitalized for a lengthy stay.
How much did Guy McIntyre weigh in the 49ers game?
In the NFC Championship game the year before, the 49ers and head coach Bill Walsh used 275-pound guard Guy McIntyre in the offensive backfield on a couple of plays, and Ditka remembered it. Ditka knew Perry had seen limited action on defense, and the 49ers game presented the perfect opportunity to showcase his 308-pound lineman’s athleticism. Perry carried the ball twice for four yards.
Why does William Perry's car reek?
In 2016, in an interview with Sports Illustrated, the reporter detailed Perry’s current situation and described his car as reeking of urine because Perry sometimes can’t control his bladder. Today, William Perry lives in an assisted living facility.
How many sacks did Perry have in the Super Bowl?
He starred in the famous rap song/music video the “Super Bowl Shuffle.”. The following season, Perry had five sacks, a career-best 84 tackles, and one offensive carry.
How much did William Perry sell his Super Bowl ring for?
While his weight has increased, his bank account has dwindled to nothing. It’s gotten so bad in 2015 he sold his size 25 Super Bowl XX ring for $200,000 to pay off debts to the IRS.
How many years did William Perry play for the Eagles?
The spotlight faded but Perry played for six more seasons with the Bears before moving east to Philadelphia in 1993. He played for the Eagles through 1994 and retired after nine years in the NFL. The sad decline of The Fridge. William Perry is excited to be here pic.twitter.com/EhFNdwZhWz.
What year did William the Refrigerator get drafted?
There were high expectations when the Chicago Bears selected William “The Refrigerator” Perry out of Clemson in the first round of the 1985 NFL draft. Perry did not disappoint becoming a household name his rookie season. Life after football, however, has been a struggle.
Why is Willie Perry not drinking?
Willie Perry and William II say the Fridge has surrounded himself with people who supply him with alcohol, which he shouldn't be drinking because of his illness.
How much was William Perry's Super Bowl ring auctioned for?
You may remember hearing a couple months ago that William Perry's Super Bowl ring from the Bears was auctioned off for more than $200,000. But his brother says the Fridge didn't get a penny of that because it was auctioned by the man he had already sold it to several years ago.
What did Michael Dean say about the family feud?
As for the family feud, Michael Dean said that "they really want to control the money. Nobody was concerned about it when he was dead broke."
Where did Fox talk to William Perry?
Fox talked outside William Perry’s former home in his hometown of Aiken, South Carolina, which is a house that could serve as a metaphor for Perry’s fortunes.
Who is the son of the refrigerator?
Now, seven years later, the Fridge's son, William Perry II, wonders why his uncle still has legal control over his father's life.
Overview
William Anthony Perry (born December 16, 1962) is a former American football defensive tackle who played in the National Football League (NFL) for ten seasons, primarily with the Chicago Bears. Nicknamed "the Refrigerator" because of his imposing size, he played college football at Clemson and was selected by the Bears in the first round of the 1985 NFL Draft. Perry gained popularity during his rookie season as a member of the Bears team that won the franchise's first Super Bowl
Early years
Perry was born in Aiken, South Carolina, tenth of twelve children (third youngest of eight sons and four daughters) of Hollie Perry, Sr (d. 2013), a house painter, and Inez (née Smith), a school dietitian. He has stated in an interview that "Even when I was little, I was big"; by the time he was 11 years old, he weighed 200 pounds. Frequently ridiculed for his weight while growing up, Perry took advantage of his athleticism to silence his critics. He attended Aiken High School and playe…
College career
Perry's athletic performances earned him a full-ride scholarship to attend Clemson University in Clemson, South Carolina, where he played for coach Danny Ford's Clemson Tigers football team from 1981 to 1984. He was a member of a national championship team in 1981, and was recognized as a consensus first-team All-American as a junior in 1983. As a freshman in 1981, he earned his "Refrigerator" nickname when a fellow player could barely squeeze into an elevator …
Professional career
In 1985, he was selected in the first round of the 1985 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears; he had been hand-picked by coach Mike Ditka. However, defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan, who had a highly acrimonious relationship with Ditka, called Perry a "wasted draft-pick". Perry soon became a pawn in the political power struggle between Ditka and Ryan.
Perry's "Refrigerator" nickname followed him into the NFL and he quickly became a favorite of th…
Beyond football
During his popular tenure with the Bears, Perry participated in the recording of three rap records, all in 1985, in addition to the team's popular "Super Bowl Shuffle". Walter Payton and Perry recorded an anti-drug, pro-peace rap tune entitled "Together" which was written by four Evanston, Illinois teens. "Together" was re-released in 1999 with part of the profits going to the Walter Payton Foundation.
Personal life
Perry has been married twice and has four children.
In June 2007, Perry was diagnosed with Guillain–Barré syndrome, a chronic inflammatory disorder of the peripheral nerves. On April 22, 2009, Perry was hospitalized in South Carolina in serious condition from his Guillain–Barré syndrome. Perry spent approximately a month in the hospital before being released. In June 2010, it was reported that Perry suffered from hearing loss, but th…
External links
• WWE Profile of William Perry
• William Perry at IMDb