George "The Animal" Steele (1937-2017)

Detroit's own and WWE Hall of Famer George “The Animal” Steele (William James Myers) has passed away at the age of 79.

Steele was one of the wildest and most unpredictable Superstars in sports-entertainment history. Yet, despite his green tongue, hairy torso and insatiable appetite for turnbuckle pads, "The Animal" was a very well-educated man. Prior to breaking into sports-entertainment, Steele received his Master’s Degree from Central Michigan University and became a high school teacher & wrestling coach in the Detroit area.



Managed by the likes of fellow WWE Hall of Famers The Grand Wizard, "Classy" Freddie Blassie, Capt. Lou Albano, and Mr. Fuji throughout his career, one of Steele's memorable moments was being at ringside for an Intercontinental championship match with "Macho Man Randy Savage defending the title against Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat at WrestleMania III inside the Pontiac Silverdome.

After providing a little assist, The Animal celebrated Steamboat's Intercontinental championship win that night. Though he never won a title himself, Steele's career was capped off in 1995 when he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. George Steele will be forever missed by wrestling fans, especially those here in the Motor City.