Danny loved to cook, the University of Alabama Crimson Tide and spending his free time with family, especially his nieces and nephews. Obituary of Danny Hodge Spencer- Mr. Danny Joe Hodge, age 64, of Spencer, passed away Monday, December 4, 2017, unexpectedly at his home. https://t.co/SZyZXTSVYi, Ive just seen the saddening news from my friend @Fgbrisco that the legendary Danny Hodge has passed away. . He went pro, but after an 8-2 start to his pro boxing career, he retired from the sport, opting to try his hand in professional wrestling instead. What a shame. Hodge punched out his car window and swam to safety, holding his neck in place until he could get help. Hes been inducted into every hall of fame that amateur and pro wrestling can dream up, and had the ultimate honor bestowed on him in 1995, when the Hodge Trophy became wrestlings version of the Heisman Trophy, annually given to the top collegiate performer. In addition to his collegiate wrestling career, Hodge also won three Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) national championships in freestyle wrestling, as well as winning one in Greco-Roman wrestling in 1956 at 174 pounds. View popular celebrities life details, birth signs and real ages. He is from USA. At high school in Perry, Oklahoma, everybody would run three miles in training. Let us know in the comments below. While the cause of death isn't known yet, he had been battling dementia for several years. Well, I think I could whip this one, he remembered thinking. Hodge was 88 and. pic.twitter.com/NToh6LuGnc, Very saddened to learn of the loss of Danny Hodge. No apple stood a chance in his hands!! How do we create a person's profile? > Career Records GOD BLESS YOU FOREVER. Our loss, Heavens gain. Legend has it that he was never taken off his feet during his amateur days, an amazing feat if true. Death 17 Jan 1975 - Jacksonville, Onslow, North Carolina. Leave a sympathy message to the . Hodge passed away on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2020. I love each of you and appreciate all of your kind words. > Photo Galleries Beginners Guide To NOAH: The Championships. From speaking to him youd never know all that he accomplished. April 14, 2021. Danny Hodge was born on May 13, 1932 in Perry, Oklahoma, USA as Dan Allen Hodge. He captured back-to-back national AAU titles in 1953 and 1954 at 174 pounds. We would like to send you notifications for the latest news and updates. In three years, he was never taken down and his 78 percent collegiate pinning percentage is regarded as the best ever. New Wrestling Observer Newsletter plus tons of downloadable podcasts every week, Get breaking news alerts & weekly roundups sent to your inbox. He was born in Pikeville on April 19, 1953 to Antha Drake and the late James Hodge. Fifty years later, hes still waiting for the check. He never made the big money, he never made the huge money. Go with God my friend as you will be remembered with much Love & respect , FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Official Statement on the passing of Danny Hodge pic.twitter.com/EKKRDZ0oQ9, I'm honored to have known the greatest American wrestler ever. Lesnar vs. Rhodes is indeed happening at Backlash. Danny Hodge, perhaps the greatest amateur wrestler in the history of the United States, and a long-time professional wrestler, has died. And heres one from Jim Ross, who was awed as a young ref in early-70s Oklahoma to be on the road with his idol. He was trained by former NWA champions Leroy McGuirk and Ed Strangler Lewis anddebuted in October of the same year. I wanted to be happy for me., There wasnt a lot of happiness in his childhood. "Danny Hodge was a legend in Japan. #RIPCHAMP pic.twitter.com/JDPAFZNNS7. He was literally Mr. Oklahoma and later on, when I turned against him, I had some very, very close calls with fans and things because they loved Danny Hodge. What Hodge calls one of the greatest thrills of life came in January 1968, when he defeated Lou Thesz for the short-lived Trans World Wrestling Association championship in Japan, becoming the only man to claim a world junior heavyweight title and a heavyweight title at the same time. A rare breed that we will likely never see again. Rest in power. Legendary collegiate and professional wrestler Danny Hodge has passed away at the age of 88. Here is Danny Ray Hodge's obituary. It's been 82 years since the unexpected death of 21-year-old aristocrat Daniel Dodge, but much of the case continues to remain a mystery. Please take the time to google this incredible man and his career both in Wrestling and Boxing. As of this writing, Hodge is the only amateur wrestler to be featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated, which should tell you all you need to know about how big he was as an amateur competitor. Hodge has his arm over each guys shoulder, and hes squeezing, Ross said. 1974 He was an actor, known for The Wrestler (1974), WWE Raw (1993) and Wednesday Night Fights (1955). Family and friends can send flowers and/or light a candle as a loving . Hodge became a huge star in the NWAs Junior Heavyweight division throughout the 1960s and 1970s, capturing his first NWA Junior Heavyweight Championship in 1960, defeating champion Angelo Savoldi for the title less than a year into his pro wrestling career. Hodges shoulders grazed the mat and a judge called it a fall and a loss. The only man to win national titles in wrestling and boxing, Danny Hodge is widely . Get the occasional email with the latest wrestling tributes and memorials, Search by ring name, real name, cause of death, organization, time period (2000s, etc) or specific year, WWE Hall of Famer Ravishing Rick Rude was an amazing individual in and out of the ring. He was born Wednesday, April 06, 1955 in Jackson, MS. Visitation will be held Tuesday,. He went on to wrestle professionally, and was fixture in NWA territories throughout the 60s, until he retired after a car accident in 1976. His father, a hand in the oilfields, drank too much, and his mother, who suffered from severe depression, nearly burned to death when a fire destroyed their house. Legendary wrestler Danny Hodge has died During his WWE Hall of Fame induction speech, Bret Hart called Hodge 'one of the greatest wrestlers in pro wrestling or amateur wrestling there's ever been.' By Sean Rueter @s1rude Dec 26, 2020, 3:25pm EST Danny Hodge's list of accomplishments is remarkable. So I was different than everybody, he said. Danny Hodge, perhaps the greatest amateur wrestler in the history of the United States, and a long-time professional wrestler, has died. Amateur and professional wrestling legend Danny Hodge has passed away at the age of 88. Aug 5: WWE SummerSlam His net worth has been growing significantly in 2022-2023. WWE is saddened to learn that Danny Hodge passed away today at age 88. This was where the bridge to professional wrestling began through the tutelage of Ed Strangler Lewis and Leroy McGuirk. Hodge pinned the first in about thirty seconds, but the fellow protested the pinfall. 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Do yourself a favor & read this. Your dads happy, your familys happy. Here is Danny Hodge's obituary. The Miz announced for WWE Monday Night Raw, AEW Dark: Elevation line-up announced for Monday night, AAA Triplemania XXXI Monterrey: El Hijo Del Vikingo retains, notes and full results, Will Ospreay confirms he is medically cleared but speaks out on the toll of his injuries. [7], The Dan Hodge Trophy, named after him, is the college wrestling equivalent of the Heisman Trophy. Danny Hodge was also an incredibly kind man. [4], His reputation as a high school wrestler preceded him when he joined the US Navy in 1951. Adam Pearce made the match official on Monday's Raw. There was a scary situation in July 2018 when Hodge, suffering from dementia, went missing from his hometown of Perry, Oklahoma. Ive just seen the saddening news from my friend @Fgbrisco that the legendary Danny Hodge has passed away. He runs and owns POST Wrestling alongside Wai Ting. Hodges accomplishments led to his induction into the George Tragos / Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame, the International Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame, the Wrestling Observer Hall of Fame, the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame, and several awards from the Cauliflower Alley Club including its Art Abrams Lifetime Achievement Award. Truly legendary. [5] Hodge finished outside the top seven in the Helsinki Olympics freestyle middleweight, losing two of his three bouts. He remains the only amateur wrestler to grace the cover of Sports Illustrated. Danny was the best wrestler, amateur and pro, Ive ever been around. [20], Hodge died at the age of 88 on December 24, 2020. Hodge picked cotton and plucked chickens in his early years. Wichita Falls, TX - 4-H Arena. #RIPCHAMP pic.twitter.com/JDPAFZNNS7, Helluva night in #OKC! Very saddened to learn of the loss of Danny Hodge. He is a member of famous Actor with the age 88 years old group. Even when I was in high school, he was a hero to me. We used to drive to Norman, OK., to watch him wrestle for the Sooners. The Dan Hodge Trophy is presented to the NCAAs best college wrestler each year. Please accept Echovita's sincere condolences. He was raised by his grandfather in later years. The list of 24 honorees includes the likes of Ric Flair, Hulk Hogan, Andre the Giant, and Bruno Sammartino. Danny was the best wrestler, amateur and pro, Ive ever been around. pic.twitter.com/hM99cY8fYE, Ted DiBiase (@MDMTedDiBiase) December 26, 2020, Ive just seen the saddening news from my friend @Fgbrisco that the legendary Danny Hodge has passed away. He later tried his hand at boxing, amassing a winning record in both the amateurs and pros. Please accept Echovita's sincere condolences. Edit your search or learn more. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Please take the time to google this incredible man and his career both in Wrestling and Boxing. Mike Chapman, the Iowa author and wrestling historian who worked with him on his biography, Oklahoma Shooter: The Dan Hodge Story, recalled how the normally agreeable Hodge got very direct when talking about the beatings he endured as a youth. No opponent was able to score a point off him his entire senior year and he hadn't even been taken down. So, how much is Danny Hodge worth at the age of 88 years old? #RIPCHAMP pic.twitter.com/JDPAFZNNS7. Danny Hodge, considered by many to be one of the greatest technical wrestlers in the history of amateur and professional wrestling, passed away late on Christmas night. Please enter a valid email and try again. Danny Hodge, considered by many to be one of the greatest technical wrestlers in the history of amateur and professional wrestling, passed away late on Christmas night. Smith was embroiled in controversy with the Central AAU and Hodge was his substitute. No cause of death has been given for the Oklahoma star, although he had been battling dementia in recent years. March 2, 1976: He defeated Hiro Matsuda to win his sixth NWA World Jr. Heavyweight title in St. Petersburg, FL. He was 88. As news broke today that he died yesterday (Dec. 25, 2020) at age 88, memorial and remembrances have filled the web. pic.twitter.com/NToh6LuGnc. 3010 North Ocoee Street Cleveland, TN DANNY HODGE OBITUARY Danny Hodge's passing has been publicly announced by Serenity of Cleveland Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Cleveland, TN.. Hodge was a gentle, God-fearing, family-loving man outside the ring. It was public knowledge that Hodge had been battling dementia. [11], On March 5, 1976, and just three days after defeating rival Matsuda for the championship, Hodge was driving his car when he fell asleep at the wheel causing him to crash through a bridge and into a lake. [11] Once again regaining the title a few months later, Hodge found himself as an ex-champion again when he eventually faced "Nature Boy" Roger Kirby. Trained by. If you didnt challenge him, hed find a way to make you, as Sputnik Monroe learned when he won the junior heavyweight belt from Hodge in 1970. The Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame in Wichita Falls, Texas, noted Hodge's passing. He would win his seventh and final NWA Junior Heavyweight title in March of 1976 and two weeks later, retired from the sport still champion. Stay tuned toLast Word on Pro Wrestlingfor more on this and other stories from around the world of wrestling, as they develop. 1932 Danny Hodge was born on May 13, 1932 in Perry, Oklahoma, USA as Dan Allen Hodge. My deepest condolences to his family. While its been debated how certain legendary tough men would have fared if MMA existed, its almost a guarantee that Hodge would have tried it, if the sport was around in the late 50s or early 60s. [6] Going into May 1956 wrestling trials for US Olympic team, Hodge was middleweight favorite. In 1955, Hodge came to wrestle at Oklahoma, where he would post a 46-0. One of Danny Hodges most famous abilities was that of his vice-like grip, attributed to the fact he had double tendons. WWE to bring two-day SuperShow event to Mexico in July, MLW announces Premier Streaming Network as its international home, Seth Rollins vs. Celebs Wiki He didnt have ask for it, said Watts. pic.twitter.com/aoBmcIYtmG, IT BREAK MY HEART TO SAY GOODBYE TO THE LEGEND DANNY HODGE. However, there was , Weve profiled 40 wrestlers who sadly, didnt make it to see age 40, including many enhancement talent names of the , Heart Attack / Heart Failure / Heart Disease, Comprehensive Deceased Wrestlers List (text-only), Comprehensive Deceased Managers List (text-only), crashing through a bridge and into a lake, 8 Things You May Not Have Known About Rick Rude. 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