William Refrigerator Perry

William Anthony Perry, born on December 16, 1962, in Aiken, South Carolina, established himself as a prominent figure in Football. He attended Aiken High School, where he excelled as a 295-pound nose guard and demonstrated remarkable athleticism by being the 6th fastest runner on his track team in a 100-yard dash. His athletic prowess earned him a full scholarship to Clemson University, where he played for the Clemson Tigers football team from 1981 to 1984. During his freshman year in 1981, he gained the enduring nickname “The Refrigerator,” a moniker that would follow him throughout his career.

Perry was a key member of Clemson’s 1981 national championship team and earned All-American honors three times during his college career. In 1984, he was recognized as the ACC Player of the Year. In 1985, Perry was selected in the first round of the NFL draft, 22nd overall, by the Chicago Bears. His rookie season with the Bears was particularly impactful as he became a fan favorite, contributing significantly to the team’s Super Bowl XX victory. During this season, he famously played as a fullback in goal-line situations, scoring two rushing touchdowns and one receiving touchdown, and remains the heaviest player to score a touchdown in the Super Bowl at 335 pounds.

After his tenure with the Chicago Bears, which lasted until 1993, Perry signed with the Philadelphia Eagles in 1994, retiring from the NFL at the end of that season. He attempted a comeback in 1996 with the London Monarchs of the World League of Football. Beyond his football career, Perry ventured into entertainment, participating in rap records, including the team’s “Super Bowl Shuffle,” and making appearances in various media, including professional wrestling events like WrestleMania 2 and television shows such as “The A-Team.” He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2006. His cultural impact was further cemented when Hasbro produced an action figure of him for their G.I. Joe toy line in 1987.