10 Things You Didn't Know About George "The Animal" Steele
8. He Got His Famous Name From Another Coach (Maybe)
As The Student, Myers eventually came to the notice of WWE's top star and champion, Bruno Sammartino. Sammartino liked what he saw and wanted to feud with The Student, but said Myers needed to ditch the mask and the name and come to Pittsburgh.
Myers didn't want to compete under his real name, so he had to think of something new. According to Myers, someone suggested that he use the name "Jim Steele," since Pittsburgh is known as the Steel City. Myers didn't care for the "Jim" part and amended it to George Steele.
A more entertaining story, however, came from Michigan High School Hall of Fame coach George Steele. According to Steele, he and Myers were on opposite sides of a junior varsity football game and during halftime, Myers approached Steele. He told the rival coach about his wrestling career, then said that he really liked Steele's name and asked if he could use it. The coach agreed, and "The Animal" was born.