Former professional football player Darren Drozdov died Friday in Pomona, N.J., after being paralyzed in an accident in the ring that ended his professional wrestling career. He is 54 years old.
His death was confirmed at Atlantiquea Regional Medical Center by his sister Romi Drozdov and his agent and longtime friend Cliff Stein. No cause was given.
According to Stein, Drozdov rose to the public eye as an N.FL player before making a name for himself in wrestling. A player vomited on a soccer ball during Monday’s night game. (In some reports, he vomited on multiple things This may explain why he was nicknamed Puke in addition to being known as Doros. )
Drozdov grew up in Mays Landing, New Jersey, where he spent most of his adult life. He played football at the University of Maryland and graduated in 1992 with a BA in Criminal Justice.
After graduating, he signed with the Denver Broncos as an undrafted rookie. Drozdov, who stood 6-foot-3 and weighed 280 pounds in his football days, also played for the New York Jets and the Philadelphia Eagles.
Stein said he began thinking about a career in professional wrestling while playing for the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League. It was always in the corner of his head.
“His personality was so diverse, the Mohawk, the tattoos, the way he spoke, everyone said, ‘You’re a wrestler,'” Stein recalls. “He called you ‘brother.’ He will come pick you up. His presence was huge.”
Drozdov was eventually accepted into WWE’s training program. He then became a member of the popular tag team, The Road Warriors. According to WWE, he was known for an episode of “Drowse World.”
Fellow wrestlers who participated in the training program included Matt Bloom, better known as Prince Albert, and actor Dwayne Johnson, better known as The Rock, who mourned Drozdov’s death. on Twitter:
“We fought together on many cards. Such a great guy. Great personality and great wrestling talent. We always talked about football and fishing. I gave my family love, strength, mana and light.” I am sending you Rest in peace, brother.”
Drozdov’s wrestling career ended in October 1999 when he became a quadriplegic following an injury during a bout at the Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, New York.
He botched a stunt and was thrown onto the mat by opponent Darrow Brown, landing on his head instead of his back and breaking two discs in his neck.
Darren Drozdov was born on April 7, 1969 in Wilmington, Delaware, the son of Olaf Drozdov and Cindy Drozdov. His mother was in the real estate business and ran three laundromats. His father was a professor at his community college in Atlantic Cape, New Jersey.
Survivors include his parents as well as his sister. She married in 1999 but divorced in 2001.
After Mr. Drozdov was injured, his sister helped take care of him. She said she spent a lot of time rooting for her four children.
“He loved watching them grow up,” said Romi Drozdov. “He went to soccer games, football, tennis, everything. I could always find him on the sidelines where my kids were.”
He also continued hunting, one of the many outdoor sports he enjoyed.
Kevin Plank, his friend and founder of the sportswear company Under Armor, wheelchair It was essentially a “wheeled tank” that could now move through the woods, Stein said.
The family said Drozdov was constantly positive about the aftermath of the wrestling accident. in the statementthey quoted his own words.
“There’s always another day. Just because I’m paralyzed and in a wheelchair doesn’t mean my life is over. I’ve learned to live again, and my life isn’t over yet.”
