Darren Drozdov, a previous N.F.L. football gamer who pursued a profession in professional fumbling that was interrupted after a mishap in the ring that incapacitated him, passed away on Friday. He was 54.
His death, at AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center in Pomona, N.J., was validated by his sibling, Rommi Drozdov, and his representative and long time good friend, Cliff Stein. A cause of death was not instantly clear.
Prior to Mr. Drozdov made his mark in the fumbling world, he initially concerned the general public’s attention as an N.FL. gamer after he threw up on a football at a Monday night video game, Mr. Stein stated. Some reports suggest that he vomitted more than as soon as
Mr. Drozdov matured in Mays Landing, N.J., where he invested the majority of his adult life. He participated in the University of Maryland, where he played football, and finished in 1992 with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.
After graduation, he was signed as an undrafted novice for the Denver Broncos. Mr. Drozdov, who was 6 feet 3 inches high and weighed 280 pounds when he played football, likewise had stints with the New york city Jets and Philadelphia Eagles.
While he was betting the Montreal Alouettes, an expert Canadian football group, he began to think of a profession in professional fumbling, Mr. Stein stated. It was something that had actually constantly remained in the back of his mind.
” His character was so vibrant, and the mohawks and the tattoos and the method he talked, everybody would state, ‘You are a wrestler,'” Mr. Stein remembered. “He would call you ‘bro.’ He ‘d choose you up. His existence was so huge.”
Mr. Drozdov, who was referred to as Droz and Puke, was ultimately accepted to a WWE training program. After that, he was taken into more matches. He ended up being a member of the Roadway Warriors, a popular tag group, and ended up being understood for his “Droz’s World” vignettes, the WWE stated.
Early in his profession, he remained in a WWE training program with other noteworthy wrestlers like Matt Blossom, referred to as Prince Albert, and Dwayne Johnson, the star referred to as the Rock, who grieved Mr. Drozdov’s death on Twitter
” We battled on a great deal of cards together,” Mr. Johnson composed. “Such an incredible man. Fantastic character and terrific fumbling skill. We constantly spoke about football and fishing. Sending out love, strength, mana and light to his household. RIP bro.”
Throughout a 1999 fumbling match at the Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, N.Y., Mr. Drozdov sustained an injury that rendered him quadriplegic, bringing his fumbling profession to an end.
He fractured 2 discs in his neck in a stunt failed after he was tossed to the mat by his challenger, D’Lo Brown, and arrived at his head rather of his back.
Mr. Drozdov was born in Wilmington, Del., on April 7, 1969, the child of Olaf and Cyndi Drozdov. His mom operated in realty and owned 3 laundromats, and his daddy was a teacher at Atlantic Cape Neighborhood College in New Jersey.
Survivors consist of Mr. Drozdov’s moms and dads and his sibling. A marital relationship in 1999 ended in divorce in 2001.
Mr. Drozdov’s sibling assisted look after him after he was hurt. He invested much of his time cheering on her 4 kids, she stated.
” He enjoyed enjoying them mature,” Ms. Drozdov stated. “He would go to all the soccer video games, football, tennis, whatever. You might constantly discover him on a sideline that my kids are on.”
He likewise continued to hunt, among numerous outside sports he delighted in.
Kevin Slab, Mr. Drozdov’s good friend and the creator of the sportswear business Under Armour, helped with the style of a wheelchair that was basically a “tank with wheels,” permitting Mr. Drozdov to move through the woods, Mr. Stein stated.
Mr. Drozdov’s relative explained him as being non-stop favorable in the after-effects of the fumbling mishap.
In a declaration, they mentioned his own words.
” There is constantly another day,” he stated. “Even if I’m paralyzed and stuck in a wheelchair does not suggest my life is over. I have actually found out to live once again, and my life is far from over.”