NORMAN, Okla. – Former University of Oklahoma All-American and professional wrestling sensation Steve Williams, most famously known as "Dr. Death," will be recognized and honored in Norman this Friday, Jan. 18, when the No. 18 Sooners host No. 16 Tennessee-Chattanooga at 7 p.m. at the Howard McCasland Field House.

"Dr. Death was one of the greatest and most unique athletes OU has ever produced." head coach Jack Spates said.  "He was also one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time after he graduated from the University."

Williams was given the nickname Dr. Death in high school after his rough demeanor in athletics.  The name stuck when he arrived at Oklahoma, as he was a two-sport star for the Sooners. 

Dr. Death is one of only 10 Sooners in the history of the wrestling program to be recognized as a four-time All-American.  Wrestling under Coach Stan Abel, Williams was a two-time Big 8 champion for the Sooners and was the national runner-up in 1981.    

The football program under legendary coach Barry Switzer was also impacted by Dr. Death.  Williams was part of two teams that won the Big 8 championships and played in five bowl games, including three trips to the Orange Bowl. 

After graduating from OU with a degree in health and recreation, he played professional football as a defensive nose guard for the United States Football League.  After leaving the league in 1983, he joined the Universal Wrestling Federation and had great success in the professional wrestling ranks.  He became the World Heavyweight Champion in 1987 and tag team champion in 1986 and 1988. 

His success took him to Japan in 1990 when he signed a contract with the All-Japan Wrestling League where he won countless titles and belts overseas, including the 1994 All-Japan Triple Crown. 

Dr. Death has since written a book entitled, "How Dr. Death Became Dr. Life," where he shares his life testimony, including his battle when diagnosed with life-threatening throat cancer.   Last summer after overcoming the illness, he was inducted into the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Hall of Fame. 

"What a delight for this program to have Dr. Death return to Norman," Spates said.  "His story is both amazing and inspiring.  We are proud to welcome him back to the Sooner wrestling program."

Following is a list of promotional events surrounding the Oklahoma/UT-Chattanooga dual:

·         Free admission to the public, with doors opening at 6 p.m.

·         First 500 fans will receive a 2007-08 Sooner wrestling team photo.

·         Raffle allowing one lucky fan to take home a 26-inch flat screen television

·         Autograph session with current wrestlers and Dr. Death at the conclusion of the match

Visit www.SoonerSports.com for full OU Wrestling Coverage.

-OU-

As one of the industry's top performers during the 1980s and 1990s, Steve "Dr. Death" Williams has plenty to offer aspiring pro grapplers as a part-time trainer in World Wrestling Entertainment's developmental system.

But the best lesson Williams can teach isn't easily learned. That's because Williams is the living embodiment of the toughness needed to thrive _ and, in his case, survive _ while working in a rough-and-tumble business.

Williams wrestled a match in 1985 on the same day he received 108 stitches above his eye after receiving an errant elbow from Brad Armstrong during an earlier bout. Thirteen years later, Williams finished a fight in the "Brawl for All" _ a series of legitimate boxing matches involving WWE performers _ even after tearing his quadriceps en route to a loss against Bart Gunn. Williams also suffered plenty of other bumps and bruises while showcasing his hard-hitting style for every major promotion in the United States and Japan over the past two decades.

Such exploits, though, actually seem tame compared to the battle Williams later waged against his most dangerous opponent.

His fight against throat cancer is chronicled in his new autobiography, "How Dr. Death Became Dr. Life" ($24.95; Sports Publishing LLC). Standing at 6-feet-2 and weighing 290 pounds during his wrestling heyday, Williams dropped 85 pounds after being diagnosed in 2004 and undergoing subsequent surgeries to remove his vocal chords, larynx and a large tumor.

But Williams didn't let the disease defeat him. Williams is set to celebrate his third anniversary of being cancer-free in May and has even returned to the ring on a limited basis for independent promotions.

The biggest adjustment Williams had to make is growing accustomed to wrestling with a scarf around his neck to ensure that dirt doesn't fly into the stoma that allows him to breathe.

"In my first match back, my lungs were going so strong that I kept blowing the scarf into the hole," Williams said in a voice left raspy by his cancer surgeries. "I was blowing up (getting winded), which I would never do before. But I didn't get uptight or freak out about it and just finished the match. I realize that sometimes the scarf is going to go in there and I've just got to keep on rolling."

Williams said his positive attitude is shaped by becoming a born-again Christian during his health struggles. In his 226-page book, Williams admits to extensive drug and alcohol abuse dating back to his days as a standout amateur wrestler and football player at the University of Oklahoma. He also notes how the premature deaths of many close friends, including longtime tag-team partner Terry Gordy, stemmed from such issues.

"It wasn't hard to come to tell people what happened in my life with drugs, alcohol and women," Williams said. "I wouldn't call it all bad, but I did live life in the fast lane."

Those days are over, especially with Williams forced to sell his business investments and deplete his life savings to pay for more than $300,000 in medical expenses. Williams is drawing some income as a part-time WWE trainer, being flown to Louisville, Ky., for work with Ohio Valley Wrestling students.

"It's not big money, but it's money," said Williams, who expressed appreciation to WWE owner Vince McMahon and executive Johnny "Ace" Laurinaitis for the opportunity. "My health insurance doesn't cover everything, but I'm blessed."

Williams is about to begin a new chapter in his life by moving back from Shreveport, La., to his hometown of Lakewood, Colo. Williams wants to take care of his 85-year-old mother, Dottie, and be closer to his 14-year-old son, Wyndham.

Williams said he plans to continue preaching and "dreams" that his son will someday join him in ministry.

"The greatest part is that you've got the toughest, baddest guy in pro wrestling who is now preaching," Williams said. "Instead of taking my big hands to slap somebody, I'm telling people to put their hands together and pray."

"How Dr. Death Became Dr. Life," which was co-written with Tom Caiazzo, can be purchased on-line at Williams' Web site (www.oklastamped.com).

Dr. Death Steve Williams, March 8, 2007
  Reviewer: Billy Club (United States) - See all   my reviews
  First I want to say that I've been fortunate enough to meet Dr. Death Steve   Williams several times in my life,
  The most recent being in 2003 when he was working for MLW. The guy is one of   the nicest athletes I have ever met,
  He treats people/fans as if he's known you for 20 years, I'm not talking just   posing for a picture with you and "thanks for coming to the show kid",  
  I mean the man will answer any question you have and has no problem talking   about anything and everything.
  The last time I met him he had a crowd of about 20 people young and old around   him and he stayed there for about 2 hours!
  ok enough rambling now on to the book. It is a Great book, The best wrestling   bio to come out in a long time.
  Covers a lot of Dr. Death's personal life as well as his Football days to Wrestling   all over the globe.
  It's one of those books that you wish was a 1000 pages long because you want   to hear in depth stories about places like Bill Watts Mid-South/UWF, WWE, WCW,   ECW, & Japan.
  No inflated ego here like most other bios, Just an honest story about a tough   hard working man who never gave up and always fought at 110% even when injured.  
  The part of the book that explains being diagnosed with cancer is hard to read   and will bring a tear to the eye,
  It's rough but the way Steve Williams writes about it is almost as if it's just   another obstacle to overcome,
  Sure he was scared but he was confident as all hell that he was going to fight   it as long as he could.
  I don't want to give too much of the book away but I'm just so glad I got it   and will refer it to people constantly,
  If you have read any other wrestling bios and liked most of them then you will   definitely like this.
  I think it's better than the Harley Race, Ric Flair, & Ole Anderson books...and   that's saying something! & it's right up there with the Terry Funk &   Mick Foley books.
 
  God Bless Steve Williams and good riddance to his cancer!
  This is one motivational story people, enjoy!

Other reviews

 
• obsessedwithwrestling.com
 
• wrestlingobserver.com
   

Advance, autographed copies can currently be ordered directly from Steve Williams. To order your personally autographed copy, send $24.95 plus $5.00 for shipping and handling to the following address:

Steve Williams
po box 151153
lakewood colorado 80215

If ordering more than one book, include an additional $1.00 for shipping for each additional book ordered.