Former football player turned wrestler Jeff Gaylord passed away at the age of 64 on March 15, 2023, according to reports. Jeff Gaylord was a well-known figure in the world of professional wrestling, having worked for organizations such as the Global Wrestling Federation (GWF), the United States Wrestling Association (USWA), and World Class Championship Wrestling (WCCW). He was known for his skills as a heel wrestler, and his rivalry with the Von Erichs in Dallas during the late 1980s is still remembered by wrestling fans today.
Continue reading to know more about Jeff Gaylord’s life, career, and the legacy he left behind.
Who was Jeff Gaylord? Know more about him
Jeff Gaylord, born on October 15, 1958, hails from Des Moines, Iowa. He showed his prowess in football during his high school days and later played as a defensive end in both the Canadian Football League (CFL) and United States Football League (USFL). However, an unfortunate knee injury led to the end of his football career and led him to pursue professional wrestling. In October 1985, Gaylord debuted in the wrestling industry and gained popularity due to his impressive physique and training under Scott Casey and Tom Jones. He was known for his aggressive wrestling style, and his matches with other villains in the wrestling industry like Al Perez, John Tatum, and Billy Joe Travis were unforgettable. Although he found success in wrestling, Gaylord struggled in his personal life outside the ring. In 2001, he was arrested for robbing a bank in Aurora, Colorado, and spent six-and-a-half years in prison. In 2009, he was arrested again for attempted bank robbery.
How did Jeff Gaylord die? What was his cause of death?
According to Jeff Gaylord’s brother’s Facebook post, Gaylord passed away after a short illness. He was 64 years old at the time of his death. Despite his troubles outside of the wrestling industry, Jeff Gaylord will be remembered as one of the primary rivals of the Von Erichs in Dallas during the late 80s and early days of the USWA.
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Tributes pour in for Jeff Gaylord
Jim Blaze expressed his condolences over Jeff Gaylord’s passing on Facebook. He shared a positive experience of working with Gaylord in the mid-90s for Paul Aperstein’s AWF company. During a TV taping, Gaylord checked on Blaze after he had accidentally broken his nose earlier. In their match, Gaylord made sure to make Blaze look good, even giving him some offense. Blaze thanked Gaylord for the memory and expressed his sadness over the news of his passing.
Another person, Mark Ecker, also shared a Facebook post. According to Mark Ecker’s Facebook post, he had the opportunity to meet Jeff Gaylord and learn his story at the Gathering in 2021. Ecker also mentioned that he got two photos autographed by him. Ecker expressed his condolences to Gaylord’s family and friends as Gaylord passed away at the age of 64.
The passing of Jeff Gaylord has deeply impacted numerous individuals, and his absence will be acutely felt. Our condolences and support go out to his loved ones, associates, and the community during this challenging time.
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FAQs
Who is Jeff Gaylord?
Jeff Gaylord was a former football player turned professional wrestler known for his aggressive style in the ring and his troubled personal life outside of it.
How did Jeff Gaylord die?
Jeff Gaylord passed away at the age of 64 due to a short illness, the details of which remain unknown, as per his brother’s Facebook post.