OT: RIP George "The Animal" Steele
February 17th, 2017 at 11:03 AM ^
February 17th, 2017 at 11:23 AM ^
He made it 79 years and had a decent quality of life until kidney surgery in December 2015. I think he even won an MHSAA football championship at Madison Heights Madison as a coach.
RIP to one of the greats.
February 17th, 2017 at 3:25 PM ^
Never forget the first time I met him before the two-a-day practices started in early August. He told us how important it was to stay in shape, to get stronger. Also told us that we should have fun, that he didn't want us to be unhappy. He said "If you see any pretty girls at the beach, you should run to them. Keeps you in shape... Keeps you Happy".
He won a state wrestling championship in '69, but no football titles.
His brother Jack played for the Bears with Gale Sayers.
February 17th, 2017 at 11:04 AM ^
Bye George - you'll be missed
February 17th, 2017 at 5:16 PM ^
February 17th, 2017 at 11:07 AM ^
February 17th, 2017 at 11:09 AM ^
He was one of the most educated ones, too. Went to MSU for undergrad, and had a masters from CMU. I'd be willing to bet you could count on one hand how many professional wrestlers have masters degrees.
February 17th, 2017 at 12:44 PM ^
Pretty amazing story actually. He was dyslexic during a time when people didn't know much about the disability. He didn't know how to read or write when he got to MSU, but got through it.
(Insert obligatory joke about MSU admission standards)
February 17th, 2017 at 11:21 AM ^
"Why did they decide to bury him in a sweater?"
"He's not wearing a sweater, he's shirtless..."
RIP local Detroit gym teacher...
February 17th, 2017 at 11:28 AM ^
I grew up with his sons attending Grant Elementary School (now torn down) in Royal Oak MI. Even then, he stood out in a crowd at school/football/Cub Scout functions with his imposing physical presence, shaved head and always present turtle neck. Very nice and humble man who loved his kids. I always considered him one of the "Cool Dads" of my youth.
February 17th, 2017 at 12:42 PM ^
Had a reputation about town as a complete gentleman.
February 17th, 2017 at 11:31 AM ^
Do we still hate the calendar year or is that over?
February 17th, 2017 at 9:30 PM ^
February 17th, 2017 at 11:35 AM ^
I remember growing up watching him wrestle with that hilarious personna. Then watch local news seeing him on the sidelines coaching high school football. That's tremendous! His students must have loved him.
Rest in peace George.
February 17th, 2017 at 12:52 PM ^
not a single one of his students ever talked back to him or caused any trouble in his class. Indeed, RIP Mr. Steele.
February 17th, 2017 at 11:39 AM ^
Is it too early to start yelling about how bad this year sucks? Oh what the hell, DAMN YOU 2017!!!! Did I do it right?
February 17th, 2017 at 11:43 AM ^
May you have plenty of turnbuckles to eat in heaven.
February 17th, 2017 at 11:47 AM ^
That's the first thing I thought of when I read the thread title. Thank God for the turnbuckles ease of mind now. Great pic.
February 17th, 2017 at 11:48 AM ^
February 17th, 2017 at 12:02 PM ^
I remember this like it was yesterday.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpDlKyrB9Wk
Sad to think that 3 of the 4 major players in this match are now dead.
February 17th, 2017 at 12:45 PM ^
are gone now. . .
damn.
February 17th, 2017 at 5:28 PM ^
February 17th, 2017 at 5:36 PM ^
February 17th, 2017 at 12:25 PM ^
RIP George. One of the greats. Another Detroit legend gone.
February 17th, 2017 at 12:27 PM ^
February 17th, 2017 at 12:45 PM ^
RIP Animal...
February 17th, 2017 at 1:04 PM ^
and air-conditioned Cobo Arena for some classic rassling.
February 17th, 2017 at 2:26 PM ^
bridged the gap between the early wrestling in the late 60s and early 70s to the prime of the WWF/WWE in the mid and late 80s. He was big but not very tall at 6'1",compared to the giant at 7'4" or under taker at 6'10" or even Hogan at 6'8".
February 17th, 2017 at 2:32 PM ^
I was fortunate to have worked with him on a Vernors tv spot back in 87/88. He was such a sweet and quiet guy. It was great watching him morph into his Animal persona for the scene.
February 17th, 2017 at 2:50 PM ^
We played against him when he coached the JV team at Madison Lamphere (?). Was great to look across and see him on sidelines. No idea how we did that game though.
February 17th, 2017 at 3:30 PM ^
Madison High School is 2 miles south of Lamphere.
February 17th, 2017 at 4:16 PM ^
Just remember being near van dyke!
February 17th, 2017 at 5:00 PM ^
February 17th, 2017 at 5:05 PM ^
February 17th, 2017 at 6:09 PM ^
his portrayal of Tor Johnson was solid...though a large hairy but bald former wrestler actor playing a large hairy but bald former wrestler actor maybe wasn't such a stretch
February 17th, 2017 at 6:19 PM ^
is a classic in my book