There are certain sports figures who can do no wrong. Not only are they likable and never embroiled in sordid off-the-field matters, but you’d almost have to give them a pass even if they were because of the importance they had in your childhood. Growing up on the South Side of Chicago and watching those Monsters of the Midway destroy the competition, William “Refrigerator” Perry is one of those figures. Which is why it sucks to hear today that he currently isn’t doing too well in the health department.
According to the CHICAGO TRIBUNE, Perry - who is shockingly only 45 years old - is suffering from something called Guillain-Barr syndrome, which “affects the peripheral nervous system and causes progressive weakness.” The illness is so crippling on him that Perry needs to use a wheelchair to get around. Again, he’s only 45.
From the CHICAGO TRIBUNE:
Perry, 45, remains good-natured despite suffering the sometimes life-threatening effects of Guillain-Barré syndrome, which affects the peripheral nervous system and causes progressive weakness. He was hospitalized for five months and is using a wheelchair as he rehabilitates.
“I’m doing fine,” Perry said. “I’m walking a little bit and rehabbing and doing what I’m supposed to. Tell everybody that I’m doing a whole lot better. It just takes time. I hope to be up and about in a walker real soon.”
However, the most shocking fact to come out of the article might be this: The Fridge was once athletic enough to dunk a basketball!
Let’s all hope the man can make a full recovery and get himself back into the spotlight somehow. The world has been a lesser place without the Fridge’s big gap-toothed mug on television.
3:34 pm on October 29th, 2008
It's sad to hear that the Fridge is in need of repairs.
3:37 pm on October 29th, 2008
So, is he 45 years old?
3:39 pm on October 29th, 2008
That's a whole lot of cargo for Fridge's wheelchair to carry. Still, I hope he gets better soon.
3:39 pm on October 29th, 2008
Shocking he'd be sick. Stunned.
3:40 pm on October 29th, 2008
You're lookin' at the Fridge, I'm the rookie,
I may be large, but I'm no dumb cookie.
4:03 pm on October 29th, 2008
Maybe a little weight loss beforehand might have prevented this disease, or at least gave Perry a healthier body to battle it.
4:12 pm on October 29th, 2008
He was a pretty fun guy to watch, bowling over all those people during his 1-yard touchdown runs.
4:15 pm on October 29th, 2008
There are plenty of ex-NFLers in their 40s that aren't doing so well. Not that I don't feel bad for Perry, but he's not the only one in medical trouble.
5:16 pm on October 29th, 2008
My dad got this, and he is far from an athlete. It just happens, 1 in 100,000 I think. Once they put you on steroids and you work it out, you will recover. It is just a matter of how far it progresses before it regresses and you begin to recover. It basically removes the myelin from your nerves which is what makes the signal to move your muscles work.
6:14 pm on October 29th, 2008
Ah, happier times:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJNC3dgreaU
8:35 pm on October 29th, 2008
72 - was that his number or waistline?
8:58 pm on October 29th, 2008
I remember hearing that Walter Payton was pretty upset that the Bears let Perry score that late TD run and not him.
9:13 pm on October 29th, 2008
jason:
That video brings back memories.
Maury Buford - more cowbell!
9:15 pm on October 29th, 2008
Even being in Packerland, I found the Super Bowl Shuffle amusing.
It's alright, because the Bears were doing it to feed the needy.
9:17 pm on October 29th, 2008
Hopefully the Fridge continues to put a lot of effort into his recovery. It would be a real shame to see him go.
9:32 pm on October 29th, 2008
The world has been a lesser place without the Fridge’s big gap-toothed mug on television.
Can't ESPN or NBC or CBS or FOX bring him for a guest analyst spot? I assume all these studios have handicapped parking.
9:08 pm on October 30th, 2008
That's not good news, my father had that before he passed away.
1:51 pm on November 1st, 2008
I am a Guillen-Barre survivor. I had it at 18, worked out at the gym and was in great physical health. It took me a year to recover and even now at 44, I still have my bad days. It takes committment and work to get past the disease. It also takes a great team of physical and occupational therapists to help a person through it. Let's hope he does all that is required. God Speed, Fridge!