Sports
Sports

Flair: Wrestling brought wealth and fame but was also a disease

FILE - In this March 31, 2009, file photo, wrestler Ric Flair attends the 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania press conference at the Hard Rock Cafe in New York. Flair, whose "Wooooooo!" call during promos and matches became one of the most imitated catchphrases in sports, thought he would die. Alive, and with a new lease on life, Flair tells The Associated Press he's done drinking and vows to clean up his act with whatever time he has left. (AP Photo/Charles Sykes, File)

Credit: Charles Sykes

Credit: Charles Sykes

FILE - In this March 31, 2009, file photo, wrestler Ric Flair attends the 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania press conference at the Hard Rock Cafe in New York. Flair, whose "Wooooooo!" call during promos and matches became one of the most imitated catchphrases in sports, thought he would die. Alive, and with a new lease on life, Flair tells The Associated Press he's done drinking and vows to clean up his act with whatever time he has left. (AP Photo/Charles Sykes, File)
By The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Nov 1, 2017

Ric Flair, known at the The Nature Boy, is widely regarded as the greatest professional wrestler of all time.

In a wide-ranging interview, Flair talked in detail about his recent surgery and near-death experience with the AJC columnist Jeff Schultz and Channel 2 Action News sports director Zach Klein on their "We Never Played the Game" podcast.

Flair also discussed his lengthy wrestling career that brought him a number of world titles and in which he now manages his daughter.

About the Author

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
More Stories

Keep Reading

Ernie Els shot 64 and is tied for the lead after 36 holes of the Mitsubishi Electric Classic at TPC Sugarloaf in Duluth. Els is tied at 14-under with first-round leader Jerry Kelly. (Photo - Kate Awtrey-King)

Credit: Kate Awtrey-

Els, Kelly share lead entering final round at Mitsubishi Electric Classic

Jacksonville Jaguars select ex-Collins Hill star Travis Hunter as No. 2 pick in NFL draft

Collins Hill star Travis Hunter was picked by the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Late bullpen collapse leads to 10-4 loss to Cardinals

The Cardinals took advantage of the Braves' sloppy pitching and scored eight unanswered runs in the final four innings

The Latest

Atlanta Braves' Eli White celebrates with Ozzie Albies (1) after hitting a two run home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the seventh inning during a baseball game, Saturday, April 26, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Credit: AP

Braves overcome Suárez’s 4 HRs, rally in 10th for 8-7 win over D-backs

Els, Kelly share lead entering final round at Mitsubishi Electric Classic

Chris Sale picks up 1st win of season, Braves rout Diamondbacks 8-2

Featured

U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff, D-Ga., speaks during a town hall on Friday, April 25, 2025, in Atlanta at the Cobb County Civic Center. (Jason Allen/Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Credit: Jason Allen/AJC

Jon Ossoff turns Trump’s CDC cuts into 2026 rallying cry

Mass layoffs at the Atlanta-based CDC have become a symbol in Georgia of Trump's second-term push to shrink the federal government and dismantle government agencies.

OPINION

TORPY: Bikes, scooters and walkers collide in Beltline free-for-all

Why Atlanta’s popular path needs a parallel trail.

Cunningham: Falcons hit home run in draft by finally making big investment in pass rush

The Atlanta Falcons have a chance to produce a good pass rush for the first time in a decade.