Dick the Bruiser
William Fritz Afflis (June 27, 1929 – November 10, 1991) was an American professional wrestler, promoter, and NFL player, better known by his ring name, Dick the Bruiser. During his NFL days he played four seasons with the Green Bay Packers. In addition to that he was also hugely successful in professional wrestling being a sixteen-time world champion, having held the AWA World Heavyweight Championship once, the WWA World Heavyweight Championship (Indianapolis version) thirteen times, the World Heavyweight Championship (Omaha version) once and the WWA World Heavyweight Championship (Los Angeles version) once. He also excelled at Tag-Team wrestling having won 20 Tag Team championships, having held the AWA tag team championship five times and the WWA tag team championship a record 15 times in his career. 11 of these championships were won alongside his long-time Tag-Team partner Crusher Lisowski. He was one of the most hated as well as well known heels from the mid 50s till the early 80s. He was famous for his feuds with the likes of such stalwarts such as Lou Thesz, Bobo Brazil, Angelo Poffo and "Classie" Freddie Blassie. For his achievements he would be inducted into the WWE hall of fame class of 2021. He was also inducted into the 2005 International Wrestling Hall of Fame.
Dick the Bruiser | |
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Dick the Bruiser in 1969 | |
Birth name | William Fritz Afflis |
Born | Delphi, Indiana, U.S. | June 27, 1929
Died | November 10, 1991 62) Tampa, Florida, U.S. | (aged
Alma mater | Purdue University |
Professional wrestling career | |
Ring name(s) | Afflis Dick Bruiser Dick the Bruiser Richard Afflis |
Billed height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) |
Billed weight | 261 lb (118 kg) |
Billed from | Reno, Nevada |
Trained by | Verne Gagne Joe Pazandak |
Debut | 1954 |
Retired | 1989
American football career |
No. 72 | |
Position: | Guard, Tackle |
Career information | |
College: | Nevada |
NFL draft: | 1951 / Round: 16 / Pick: 186 |
Career history | |
Player stats at PFR |