Sylvester Ritter (December 13, 1952 â€" June 2, 1998) was an American
professional wrestler and college football player, best known for his
work in Mid-South Wrestling and the World Wrestling Federation as the
Junkyard Dog (or JYD), a nickname he received while working in a
wrecking yard. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame class of
2004.Entering the ring with his trademark chain attached to a dog
collar, to the music of Queen's "Another One Bites the Dust," JYD
often headlined cards that drew large crowds and regularly sold out
the Louisiana Superdome and other major venues, becoming "the first
black wrestler to be made the undisputed top star of his
promotion".WWE author Brian Shields called Junkyard Dog one of the
most electrifying and charismatic wrestlers in the country,
particularly during his peak in the early 1980s. JYD was most known
for his headbutt and upper body strength, the latter of which saw him
regularly bodyslam such large wrestlers as the One Man Gang, Kamala,
and King Kong Bundy. The word "thump," which referred to JYD's
powerslam, was prominently displayed on his wrestling trunks.Ritter
played football at Fayetteville State University, twice earning
honorable mention All-American status, and is a member of the Sports
Hall of Fame. He graduated with a political science degree.
professional wrestler and college football player, best known for his
work in Mid-South Wrestling and the World Wrestling Federation as the
Junkyard Dog (or JYD), a nickname he received while working in a
wrecking yard. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame class of
2004.Entering the ring with his trademark chain attached to a dog
collar, to the music of Queen's "Another One Bites the Dust," JYD
often headlined cards that drew large crowds and regularly sold out
the Louisiana Superdome and other major venues, becoming "the first
black wrestler to be made the undisputed top star of his
promotion".WWE author Brian Shields called Junkyard Dog one of the
most electrifying and charismatic wrestlers in the country,
particularly during his peak in the early 1980s. JYD was most known
for his headbutt and upper body strength, the latter of which saw him
regularly bodyslam such large wrestlers as the One Man Gang, Kamala,
and King Kong Bundy. The word "thump," which referred to JYD's
powerslam, was prominently displayed on his wrestling trunks.Ritter
played football at Fayetteville State University, twice earning
honorable mention All-American status, and is a member of the Sports
Hall of Fame. He graduated with a political science degree.
Share this
SUBSCRIBE OUR NEWSLETTER
SUBSCRIBE OUR NEWSLETTER
Join us for free and get valuable content delivered right through your inbox.