Professional Wrestler Richard Morgan Fliehr, more popularly known as
Ric Flair , was born on February 25, 1949 in Memphis, Tennessee. His adopted parents took him in from the Tennessee Children's Home Society. During his teenage years, he worked as a lifeguard at a local pool and there he met the legendary Vachon brothers Paul and Maurice.
Ric Flair championed at the State Private School Wrestling Championship in 1966 and in 1968. Shortly after, University of Minnesota recruited him by offering him a football scholarship but he dropped out of school before graduating. Ric worked as a bouncer at a local club and rubbed elbows with Ken Patera, an Olympic weightlifter. Ken introduced Ric to wrestling instructor Verne Gagne and the rest, as they say, is history. Ric's wrestling class also included future professional wrestlers Greg Gagne, Iron Sheik and Jim Brunzell.
In 1972, he made his debut at the American Wrestling Association. After two years, he transferred to the National Wrestling Alliance and had his first champion title in 1975 after beating Paul Jones. In the same year, he broke his back after a plane crash in Wilmington, North Carolina. The doctors told him he could never wrestle again but Ric held on to his passion. He underwent physical therapy and returned to the wrestling world just six months after the accident.
In 1981, he had his first NWA World Heavyweight Championship title. It was followed with seven more winnings. The NWA eventually became part of the World Championship Wrestling where Ric Flair became a six-time champion.
In 1991, he signed with World Wrestling Federation and was later on seen on TV. He emerged as the 1992 Royal Rumble winner. He has since then appeared on several wrestling bouts such as the WWF Smackdown!, the WWE Monday Night RAW and the WWF Raw is War among many others.
Ric Flair is a contestant on CBS' reality TV series
Secret Talents of the Stars , a show that pits celebrities against each other as they showcase their hidden abilities. His hidden talent is dancing the salsa.
(Photo courtesy of CBS and Prince Marketing Group)