Today, former Oakland Raider, Dallas Cowboy and legendary professional wrestler Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart died of a fall in his Florida home. He was 63.
Neidhart attended Newport Harbor High School and held the California state shot put record from 1973 until 1985. In the late 1970s, Neidhart pursued a football career, and his tremendous strength and size led him to be signed by the Oakland Raiders, for whom he played in the preseason in 1978. In 1979, he played for the Cowboys, but was released and decided to shift careers and become a professional wrestler.