Darren Drozdov, WWE Star Who Was Paralyzed In The Ring, Useless At 54

Darren Drozdov, former WWE and NFL star died Friday of pure causes. He was 54.

“Darren, affectionately generally known as ‘Droz,’ was concerned in a tragic ring accident whereas wrestling for the WWE in 1999 that rendered him a quadriplegic,” his household advised the World Wrestling Leisure group Friday in an announcement.

His household praised the previous athlete for sustaining “a championship mindset” for almost 1 / 4 century. His family members added that Drozdov “lived each day to the fullest” earlier than utilizing his phrases as a testomony.

“There’s at all times one other day,” Drozdov admirably proclaimed up to now, in line with his household. “Simply because I’m paralyzed and caught in a wheelchair doesn’t imply my life is over. I’ve discovered to stay once more, and my life is way from over.”

The New Jersey native reportedly had a quick soccer profession with the New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles and Denver Broncos from 1993 to 1995. Nonetheless, his declare to fame as a participant got here from vomiting on the sector throughout a “Monday Night time Soccer” match.

Drozdov was christened “Puke” for his so-called expertise of vomiting on command.

Decided to achieve his potential as an athlete, nonetheless, he joined Excessive Championship Wrestling in 1997. It solely took a 12 months for Droz to signal with their extra well-known WWE competitor, nonetheless, whose former CEO Vince McMahon as soon as requested to see Droz puke.

On Oct. 5, 1999, nonetheless, Drozdov was severely injured within the ring whereas wrestling D’Lo Brown — and landed on his head. The accident noticed Drozdov break two invaluable vertebrae in his neck, consequently paralyzing him for the remainder of his life.

Drozdov later admitted that the situation was usually overwhelming regardless of his braveness to just accept it, and mentioned in 2014 that he was frequently pressured to put flat for lengthy stretches and take dozens of medicines every day for muscle spasms and ache.

“For some purpose, at the same time as a child, I at all times had a robust premonition that I’d die younger,” he advised Fox Sports activities. “I don’t know why, however I’ve had that feeling for so long as I can bear in mind. I assume, in a approach, when the accident occurred, that a big a part of me did die.”

Drozdov notably added that hashish helped rid him of the fixed complications.

“Drozdov captivated audiences within the late Nineteen Nineties along with his time spent within the Legion of Doom teaming with Animal and his Droz’s World vignettes,” the WWE wrote of their assertion. “WWE extends its condolences to Darren Drozdov’s household, mates and followers.”

Former colleagues, together with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, shared their condolences on-line.

“Man, I’m so sorry to listen to one in every of our ring brothers has handed away,” the ex-wrestler tweeted Friday. “We wrestled on a whole lot of playing cards collectively. Such an superior dude. Nice character and nice wrestling expertise. We at all times talked about soccer and fishing.”

Johnson continued, “Sending love, energy, mana and lightweight to his household. RIP brother.”