Greetings.
I was saddened to hear this week of the passing of my friend Brickhouse Brown (Fred Seewright), after a long and difficult battle with cancer. I had Brickhouse on my syndicated Hart Beat Radio podcast in May and though he was on his last legs, so to speak, he was amazingly upbeat, reflecting on the good times, his triumphs in the ring (and outside it) and the many great friends he had made in the wrestling business.
Brickhouse also expressed his everlasting gratitude and high regard for Cauliflower Alley Club president, Brian Blair, who had helped raise several thousand dollars through the Cauliflower Alley Club benevolent fund, to help him live out his life in dignity and comfort. Props to Brian and the CAC for having helped Brickhouse and many other wrestlers when they were in need. As for Brickhouse, I can’t express how impressed I was with the courage and dignity he showed during his daunting ordeal – truly a profile in courage. Rest in peace, brother, I know that you’re in a better place.
I recently had a fascinating conversation on my Hart Beat Radio podcast with the “Raging Bull” – Manny Fernandez – a most interesting and impressive individual, as well.
After having grown up in San Jose, Manny was recruited to play football at West Texas State, in Canyon, Texas, where he made the acquaintance Terry Funk. Terry had been instrumental in launching the wrestling careers of several other West Texas types, including Stan Hansen, Bruiser Brody, Bobby Duncum, Jay Youngblood and Pez Whatley took Fernandez under his wing and helped launch what would be a long and colorful career.
After having launched his career with the Funks, Manny would go on to have a diverse and colorful career, working against the likes of Abdullah the Butcher, Harley Race, Rick Rude, The Road Warriors, Bill Goldberg, Tatsumi Fujinami, Wahoo McDaniel, Brian Pillman, Buff Bagwell and Mil Masceras – which is certainly a diverse group and speaks volumes about his versatility.
In talking to Manny, he was effusive in his praise for his mentor, Terry Funk, who, he relates, not only taught him how to wrestle, but imparted invaluable life lessons to him and also had been there for him during some of the tough stretches of his life which included daunting battles with cancer and drug issues.
These days, Manny is training aspiring young wrestlers, several of whom, I’m told have been given tryouts with the WWE. I’d like to commend him for having risen above adversity and for being an inspiration to so many in our business!
This week, I’m heading down to Waterloo, Iowa along with several other members of the Hart family, where my brother Owen is being inducted into the prestigious Lou Thesz/George Tragos Hall of Fame, along with his friend and colleague, Dan “the Beast” Severn.
Many others in the wrestling fraternity are expected to take in the event, including Larry Hennig, Joe Laurinaitis, Nikita Koloff, Brian Blair, Dan Gable, Charlie Thesz, Barbara Goodish (wife of the legendary Bruiser Brody) and Booker T, among others – which promises to be a great event. I’m looking forward to seeing many of you down there and will give you the lowdown next week on how things went.
In the meantime, take care.
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