Ernest "Ernie" Ladd (November 28, 1938 - March 10, 2007) was an American professional wrestler and a former professional football player.
Football
Ernie Ladd played as a defensive tackle for Grambling State University and was selected 15th by the San Diego Chargers in the 1961 draft. He stayed with the Chargers till 1965, winning the AFL title in 1963. In 1966 he played one season for the Houston Oilers, before he went to the Kansas City Chiefs in 1967. There he ended his football career in 1968.
Ladd was a four time AFL All-Star, a three time All-Pro and is a member of the San Diego Chargers Hall of Fame.
Wrestling
Ladd started Wrestling in 1961, portraying one of the first African American heels in the wrestling business. He wrestled in the off-season and became famous for his arrogant interview style and dirty tricks. During his career he also worked for the World Wide Wrestling Federation and feuded with the likes of Andre the Giant, Bruno Sammartino and Pedro Morales. In 1986 Ladd retired from wrestling and did some color commentary alongside Gorilla Monsoon. In 1995 he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.
Sadly, Ladd died in 2007 having battled cancer since 2004
Championships and accomplishments
- Other honoree (2005)
- NWA American Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- NWA Brass Knuckles Championship (Texas version) (1 time)
- NWA Texas Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- Mid-South Louisiana Heavyweight Championship (2 times)
- Mid-South North American Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- Mid-South Tag Team Championship (2 times) – with Leroy Brown
- NWA Arkansas Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- NWA North American Heavyweight Championship (Tri-State version) (4 times)
- NWA United States Tag Team Championship (Tri-State version) (1 time) – with The Assassin
- NWF Brass Knuckles Championship (1 time)
- NWF Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- NWF North American Heavyweight Championship (2 times)
- PWI ranked him # 205 of the 500 best singles wrestlers during the "PWI Years" in 2003.
- WWA World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
- WWA World Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Baron Von Raschke
- WWA World Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Edouard Carpentier
- WWC North American Heavyweight Championship (1 time)