Johnny Valentine, a former professional wrestler whose career was shortened by injuries in a 1975 plane crash, has died at 72.
He died Tuesday at a hospital near his home in the Fort Worth suburb of River Oaks, his family said.
Valentine was U.S. heavyweight champion in October 1975, when a plane carrying him and four others ran out of fuel and crashed. He sustained a broken back, foot and hand and never wrestled again.
"I never gave up on the idea that I'd wrestle again," Valentine told The Dallas Morning News in 1985. "I'm still not sure I've given up. The only time I ever really enjoyed life was my hour in the ring. There, I was king, you might say."
Professional wrestler "Killer" Karl Kox called Valentine a "legend in the business. He was one of the very best we've ever had. Everyone around here talks about the Von Erichs, but they couldn't hold Johnny Valentine."
Born John Theodore Wisniski in Seattle, Valentine fought his first match at 19. During his career as Johnny Valentine, he won numerous titles.
He is survived by his wife, two sons, two daughters, three sisters, five grandchildren and one great-grandson. One son, Greg "The Hammer" Valentine of Florida, is a 33-year veteran pro wrestler.
Services are Tuesday at Castleberry Baptist Church in Fort Worth. He will be cremated.
