"Hacksaw" Jim Duggan

While on a recruiting trip to Southern Methodist University, I met Fritz Von Eric, who suggested that I might make a good wrestler. During the off-season with the Falcons in 1978, I called Fritz and went down to the sportatorium in Dallas and started to learn how to wrestle. In 1979 had my first match with Gino Hernandize and worked Texas for a short time. Later in 79 while up in Glens Falls, New York, the old WWWF was running a show at the civic center. Arnie Scoland booked me in a match with Moose Morowski. From there, I went to TV where I first met Vince McMann Sr. Vince Sr. who sent me to Hawaii to work for Peter Miavia to learn the business. After six months, I returned back to the WWWF. After a short stay, I went to Georgia Championship Wrestling, which was my first real territory. Working as a masked man in Hawaii, as The Convict, everywhere else as big Jim Duggan. Leaving Georgia, I went to Birmingham, Alabama, working for Rob Fuller. From there I went to San Antonio, Texas, to work for Joe Blanchard. This is where I became Hacksaw Jim Duggan. This is also where I received my first break and started to work on top with Bruiser Brody.My next move was a big one, when I went to work for Mid South Wrestling, out of Bixby, OK., with Bill Watts. I was with Mid South from 1981 to 1986. Then I made my move up to the new WWF with Vince Jr. While at Mid South, I was North American Champion and Mid-South tag team champion with Terry Taylor. While I was with WWF, I was the winner of the first Royal Rumble and the King of Wrestling with a win over Harley Race.The next move came in 1994 when I went with Hulk Hogan to the WCW in Atlanta, Georgia. While in the WCW, I beat Steve Austin for the United States Championship. I also became the WCW Television Champion. I was with WCW for 7 years.While in the WWF, I was the only person to knock-out Andre the Giant. My most memorable match was as the main event with Andre in Madison Square Garden.Most recently, while with the WCW, I was diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma, kidney cancer. I had my right kidney removed in Sept. 1998. I made the announcement on Monday Nitro. After a 6 months leave of absence, I came back to wrestling, thanks to the support of the wrestling fans and with the grace of God.For the last 11 years I have lived on the Space Coast of Florida. I have been with my wife, Debra for 17 years. We have two beautiful little girls Celia, nine and Rebecca seven. We also have a Golden Retriever, three cats, and a tank of fish.