Vader Says Doctors Have Given Him Two Years To Live
Tragic news from a wrestling legend.
The bad news keeps coming for Big Van Vader. Involved in a "near-fatal" car accident last week, Vader said on Twitter last night that he is suffering from congestive heart failure, and that doctors have given him two years to live:-
As noted above, doctors blame Vader's football and wrestling careers for the condition.
Though better known for his time in wrestling, Vader played two seasons in the NFL, and started for the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl XIV (1980) before retiring through injury, . His wrestling career kicked-off with the American Wrestling Association in 1985, but Vader headed to New Japan Pro Wrestling in 1987, and that's where he built his legacy.
Vader entered WCW in 1990, and became World Heavyweight Champion on three separate occasions during his five-year run. His WWE spell (1996-98) wasn't quite as successful, sadly, and while often featured prominently, Vader was largely misused and never given the opportunity to reach his old heights.
Now 61 years old, Vader was recently seen wrestling Will Ospreay in England's Revolution Pro Wrestling. He remains semi-active on the independent circuit, but this news will likely bring his long career to an end. Tragic news from a man widely regarded as one of the best monster heels in wrestling history.