During his time as a wrestler, he attempted to start a labor union for wrestlers, and continued his efforts after he left the sport.[3] He is the co-author of a book called CHOKEHOLD: Pro Wrestling's Real Mayhem Outside the Ring which exposed certain unfair labor practices by various promoters, most of them National Wrestling Alliance members, but also including Vince McMahon and WWE.
He had been a good athlete from his early years, overcoming a spinal curvature problem and was offered a football scholarship to the University of Georgia. Although recruited from high school as a fullback, because of his size he played both ways as an offensive and defensive lineman and was named All-American for his contributions as an offensive tackle during his time there; he was coach Vince Dooley's first All-American. Coach Dooley would comment at Wilson's funeral service that had he known of his accomplishments as a high school fullback, he would have handed Wilson the ball as well.
In 1964, he was drafted by the then-Boston Patriots of the American Football League and the San Francisco 49ers of the established National Football League; he signed with the 49ers.[4] He was also voted into the 1965 All Rookie team.[5] Wilson played in San Francisco for two seasons and then, at his request, was dealt to the Atlanta Falcons, who were just starting up. It was during his time with the Falcons that he was approached by Georgia wrestler and promoter Ray Gunkel to wrestle during the football off-season. He agreed to do so, as most NFL contracts at that time did not pay during the off season.
The Falcons did not approve of his off-season wrestling, and as a result, he was traded to the then-Los Angeles Rams for whom he played for three seasons, before injuries ended his NFL career in 1971.
In 2001, he was inducted into the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame.[5] Four years later, he was also inducted into the UGA Circle of Honor.[5]
Professional wrestling career
Wilson attempted to reform professional wrestling and start up a union for professional wrestlers.[5] He wrote the book CHOKEHOLD: Pro Wrestling's Real Mayhem Outside the Ring, which was released in 2003 in which he claimed he had been blackballed from the sport. Wilson brought forward an antitrust case against the National Wrestling Alliance in 1980.[6] In 1984, he also appeared on 20/20, speaking out against the wrestling industry. In addition, in 2007, he attempted to convince the United States Congress to hold hearings on the wrestling industry.[5]
Personal life
Wilson was born to a fairly distinguished family living just outside Pittsburgh. His father had been a decorated veteran of World War II and his mother's side traced its lineage back to the Mayflower. While at Georgia, he married Nita Jones,[7] and the couple had six children together.[8] Outside of professional wrestling, he worked in real estate for twenty years.[8]
On February 2, 2009, Wilson died at the age of 66 in Atlanta, following a battle with cancer.[5]
^. databasefootball.com. Archived from the original on 2007-02-08. Retrieved 2008-06-11.
^Didinger, Ray (26 July 1985). "EX-WRESTLER CERTAINLY HAS MET HIS MATCH WILSON CONTINUES HIS CAMPAIGN TO CLEAN UP SPORT, START UNION". No. Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved 24 September 2020.
^ abSchramm, Chris (February 8, 2009). "Controversial Jim Wilson dead at 67". slamwrestling.net. Retrieved July 13, 2022.
General
CHOKEHOLD: Pro Wrestling's Real Mayhem Outside the Ring (2003). ISBN1-4010-7217-8 (Trade Paperback), ISBN1-4010-7218-6 (Hardback) (with Weldon T. Johnson)
External links
Georgia Sports Hall of Fame
Jim Wilson's profile at Cagematch.net
January 21, 2023
wilson, wrestler, james, milligan, wilson, june, 1942, february, 2009, professional, american, football, offensive, lineman, professional, wrestler, wilsonbornjames, milligan, wilson, 1942, june, 1942pittsburgh, pennsylvania, united, statesdiedfebruary, 2009, . James Milligan Wilson June 12 1942 1 February 2 2009 was a professional American football offensive lineman 2 and a professional wrestler Jim WilsonBornJames Milligan Wilson 1942 06 12 June 12 1942Pittsburgh Pennsylvania United StatesDiedFebruary 2 2009 2009 02 02 aged 66 Atlanta Georgia United StatesSpouseNita JonesChildren6Professional wrestling careerRing name s Jim WilsonBilled height6 ft 3 in 191 cm Billed weight257 lb 117 kg Debut1971Retired1985Football careerPersonal informationHeight 6 ft 6 in 1 98 m Weight 258 lb 117 kg Career informationHigh school Edgewood PA College GeorgiaPosition Offensive tackle guardNFL Draft 1964 Round 4 Pick 43AFL Draft 1964 Round 14 Pick 109Career historySan Francisco 49ers 1965 1966 Atlanta Falcons 1967 Los Angeles Rams 1968 1971 During his time as a wrestler he attempted to start a labor union for wrestlers and continued his efforts after he left the sport 3 He is the co author of a book called CHOKEHOLD Pro Wrestling s Real Mayhem Outside the Ring which exposed certain unfair labor practices by various promoters most of them National Wrestling Alliance members but also including Vince McMahon and WWE Contents 1 Football career 2 Professional wrestling career 3 Personal life 4 References 5 External linksFootball career EditHe had been a good athlete from his early years overcoming a spinal curvature problem and was offered a football scholarship to the University of Georgia Although recruited from high school as a fullback because of his size he played both ways as an offensive and defensive lineman and was named All American for his contributions as an offensive tackle during his time there he was coach Vince Dooley s first All American Coach Dooley would comment at Wilson s funeral service that had he known of his accomplishments as a high school fullback he would have handed Wilson the ball as well In 1964 he was drafted by the then Boston Patriots of the American Football League and the San Francisco 49ers of the established National Football League he signed with the 49ers 4 He was also voted into the 1965 All Rookie team 5 Wilson played in San Francisco for two seasons and then at his request was dealt to the Atlanta Falcons who were just starting up It was during his time with the Falcons that he was approached by Georgia wrestler and promoter Ray Gunkel to wrestle during the football off season He agreed to do so as most NFL contracts at that time did not pay during the off season The Falcons did not approve of his off season wrestling and as a result he was traded to the then Los Angeles Rams for whom he played for three seasons before injuries ended his NFL career in 1971 In 2001 he was inducted into the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame 5 Four years later he was also inducted into the UGA Circle of Honor 5 Professional wrestling career EditWilson attempted to reform professional wrestling and start up a union for professional wrestlers 5 He wrote the book CHOKEHOLD Pro Wrestling s Real Mayhem Outside the Ring which was released in 2003 in which he claimed he had been blackballed from the sport Wilson brought forward an antitrust case against the National Wrestling Alliance in 1980 6 In 1984 he also appeared on 20 20 speaking out against the wrestling industry In addition in 2007 he attempted to convince the United States Congress to hold hearings on the wrestling industry 5 Personal life EditWilson was born to a fairly distinguished family living just outside Pittsburgh His father had been a decorated veteran of World War II and his mother s side traced its lineage back to the Mayflower While at Georgia he married Nita Jones 7 and the couple had six children together 8 Outside of professional wrestling he worked in real estate for twenty years 8 On February 2 2009 Wilson died at the age of 66 in Atlanta following a battle with cancer 5 References Edit Jim Wilson nfl com Retrieved 2008 06 11 Jim Wilson databasefootball com Archived from the original on 2007 02 08 Retrieved 2008 06 11 Didinger Ray 26 July 1985 EX WRESTLER CERTAINLY HAS MET HIS MATCH WILSON CONTINUES HIS CAMPAIGN TO CLEAN UP SPORT START UNION No Orlando Sentinel Retrieved 24 September 2020 Jim Wilson pro football reference com Retrieved 2008 06 11 a b c d e f Ex football player wrestler Wilson dies ESPN February 9 2009 Retrieved 2009 01 09 Jim Wilson v National Wrestling Alliance wrestlingperspective com Retrieved July 13 2022 Wilson Johnson 2003 p 69 a b Schramm Chris February 8 2009 Controversial Jim Wilson dead at 67 slamwrestling net Retrieved July 13 2022 GeneralCHOKEHOLD Pro Wrestling s Real Mayhem Outside the Ring 2003 ISBN 1 4010 7217 8 Trade Paperback ISBN 1 4010 7218 6 Hardback with Weldon T Johnson External links EditGeorgia Sports Hall of Fame Jim Wilson s profile at Cagematch net Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Jim Wilson wrestler amp oldid 1100375882, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
