Ernie Ladd

Ernest "Ernie" Ladd (*November 28, 1938 in Rayvill; Louisiana †March 10, 2007 in Franklin; Louisiana) 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

 * Cauliflower Alley Club
 * Other honoree (2005)


 * Central States Wrestling
 * NWA Central States Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Bruiser Brody


 * Championship Wrestling from Florida
 * NWA Florida Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
 * NWA Southern Heavyweight Championship (Florida version) (1 time)


 * Georgia Championship Wrestling
 * NWA Georgia Tag Team Championship (1 time) - with Ole Anderson


 * NWA Big Time Wrestling
 * NWA American Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
 * NWA Brass Knuckles Championship (Texas version) (1 time)
 * NWA Texas Heavyweight Championship (1 time)


 * NWA Hollywood Wrestling
 * NWA Americas Heavyweight Championship (3 times)


 * NWA Tri-State / Mid-South Wrestling Association
 * 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


 * National Wrestling Federation
 * NWF Brass Knuckles Championship (1 time)
 * NWF Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
 * NWF North American Heavyweight Championship (2 times)


 * Pro Wrestling Illustrated
 * PWI ranked him # 205 of the 500 best singles wrestlers during the "PWI Years" in 2003.


 * World Championship Wrestling
 * WCW Hall of Fame (Class of 1994)


 * World Wrestling Association
 * WWA World Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
 * WWA World Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Baron Von Raschke


 * World Wrestling Council
 * WWC North American Heavyweight Championship (1 time)


 * World Wrestling Federation
 * WWF Hall of Fame (Class of 1995)


 * Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards
 * Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame (Class of 1996)