Refrigerator Perry’s life has been in a downward spiral in his post-football years.
William “Refrigerator” Perry was once a hefty defensive lineman for the Chicago Bears who became beloved when Mike Ditka had the rookie line up on offense and run the ball. Perry, a 300-plus-pound defensive lineman, ran six times for three touchdowns in 1985 — including one in the Bears’ Super Bowl victory — endearing himself to fans across the nation.
But years later, Perry, 53, struggles with alcoholism, weight and money, according to a feature on the former Bears and Eagles lineman in Sports Illustrated. According to the story, Perry, now back in South Carolina where he grew up, weighs somewhere between 430 and 450 pounds. In 2011 he declared himself an alcoholic, and he’s still drinking.
He’ll park his car — a white Hummer H2 — in a shady spot or a driveway, drink from cups of vodka or beer and hold court. His size makes it nearly impossible for him to move from the driver’s seat, and, according to SI, his car reeks of urine because he either can’t control his bladder or can’t be bothered to find a restroom.
Perry suffers from diabetes and Guillain-Barré syndrome, an immune system disorder. He can’t feel from the shins down and says his hands are numb. He’s supposed to wear compression socks and orthopedic shoes, but he doesn’t. And he doesn’t really even try to take care of himself, avoiding physical therapy, for example.
He made plenty of money in his football career but it’s all gone now. He had to sell his Super Bowl ring for $200,000 a year ago, the story said, but Perry’s debts prevented him from getting any of that money. And to make matters worse, his family is squabbling over who ought to be taking care of Perry, who lives alone in a retirement home.
But despite all that, the Fridge claims he’s doing just fine.
“I’m home,” Perry said in the article. “And I’m happy. I can’t say everything is peachy keen, but I’m still enjoying life. I love Chicago, but there’s no place like home.”
“I’m my own man,” Perry added. “It’s simple. I ain’t never trying to be famous. I never, ever try to be extravaganza. I’m just a plain old country boy!”
But of course, to anyone else, it’s a much sadder picture. Perry’s old coach, Ditka, offered a sober take on his former player.
“It’s a great life wasted,” Ditka said in the story. “There’s no reason it has to happen. A bad deal? No, he got a great deal! In life you gotta help yourself. It’s tragic. I think he’s given up. And the question in my mind is, Why?”
http://www.nydailynews.co .. icle-1.2691145
William “Refrigerator” Perry was once a hefty defensive lineman for the Chicago Bears who became beloved when Mike Ditka had the rookie line up on offense and run the ball. Perry, a 300-plus-pound defensive lineman, ran six times for three touchdowns in 1985 — including one in the Bears’ Super Bowl victory — endearing himself to fans across the nation.
But years later, Perry, 53, struggles with alcoholism, weight and money, according to a feature on the former Bears and Eagles lineman in Sports Illustrated. According to the story, Perry, now back in South Carolina where he grew up, weighs somewhere between 430 and 450 pounds. In 2011 he declared himself an alcoholic, and he’s still drinking.
He’ll park his car — a white Hummer H2 — in a shady spot or a driveway, drink from cups of vodka or beer and hold court. His size makes it nearly impossible for him to move from the driver’s seat, and, according to SI, his car reeks of urine because he either can’t control his bladder or can’t be bothered to find a restroom.
Perry suffers from diabetes and Guillain-Barré syndrome, an immune system disorder. He can’t feel from the shins down and says his hands are numb. He’s supposed to wear compression socks and orthopedic shoes, but he doesn’t. And he doesn’t really even try to take care of himself, avoiding physical therapy, for example.
He made plenty of money in his football career but it’s all gone now. He had to sell his Super Bowl ring for $200,000 a year ago, the story said, but Perry’s debts prevented him from getting any of that money. And to make matters worse, his family is squabbling over who ought to be taking care of Perry, who lives alone in a retirement home.
But despite all that, the Fridge claims he’s doing just fine.
“I’m home,” Perry said in the article. “And I’m happy. I can’t say everything is peachy keen, but I’m still enjoying life. I love Chicago, but there’s no place like home.”
“I’m my own man,” Perry added. “It’s simple. I ain’t never trying to be famous. I never, ever try to be extravaganza. I’m just a plain old country boy!”
But of course, to anyone else, it’s a much sadder picture. Perry’s old coach, Ditka, offered a sober take on his former player.
“It’s a great life wasted,” Ditka said in the story. “There’s no reason it has to happen. A bad deal? No, he got a great deal! In life you gotta help yourself. It’s tragic. I think he’s given up. And the question in my mind is, Why?”
http://www.nydailynews.co .. icle-1.2691145
You don't salute a man that sits in his own piss puddle
RIP
