TAMPA BAY (WGN-TV) – Anyone who has watched Ric Flair in the ring, knows the Nature Boy lets his emotions run raw.
But, watching his former Four Horsemen teammate Steve “Mongo”‘” McMichael battle ALS, is almost too much to bear.
“When I see him, I just start crying – to know that he’s so aware of everything up here. I don’t know if a lot of people are aware that you don’t lose anything up here. You just lose the use of your body. I’d do anything in the world to make him smile. To see that smile last for 30 seconds or a minute or whatever is so special because he’s a great human being.”
Flair met Mongo during his wrestling days and they became fast friends.
“He’s just one of the biggest personalities I’ve ever met in my life. I mean in real life. His personality just takes over the room.
“We just clicked. I fell in love with him as a person – as a man. Loved hanging out with him. He just fit into the locker room.”
McMichael’s wrestling skills weren’t bad either.
“He actually caught on to it pretty good. Mongo got it man. Really enjoyed it. Relaxed. He’s such a natural – a really dynamic athlete.
“He was real gentle with us. Thank God.”
Now, Flair is just hoping McMichael’s skills on the football field are recognized by Hall of Fame voters and he gets the call from Canton.
“I think it’s mandatory. It’s one of these things where I think he already should have been based on his stats. He’s right there with Warren Sapp – almost tied or equal number wise.
“I’ll tell you this, if we all go to Canton and he gets inducted and they bring him up on stage, it’ll be a Jimmy Valvano moment. Like his speech at the ESPYs.
“Never give up.”
Flair is a huge NFL fan. He grew up cheering for the 49ers, but now Nature Boy roots for his friend John Harbaugh’s Ravens and his new hometown Bucs.
He’d love to see Baker Mayfield come back to Tampa and he’s also a big Justin Fields guy.
“Everyone is talking about the kid from Southern Cal. I know the Bears are probably going to do it, but I wouldn’t trade Justin Fields for a commodity that hasn’t been proven yet. Justin Fields to me is a tremendous football player.
“Unit someone’s a proven commodity – because you’ve seen so many come and go – they’re thought of so highly in college but it doesn’t pan out. The pro game is a different speed, as we all know, which is hard to believe because college is fast.”
Only time will tell if Ryan Poles heeds Ric Flair’s advice.