Collected Wisdom: Danny Hodge…
Collected Wisdom with Danny Hodge
Interviewed by Robert Przybylo, BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Age: 76
Hometown and residence: Perry
If you’re a fan of amateur or professional wrestling, then you know the name Danny Hodge. He was a three-time national champion at Oklahoma and competed in two Olympics, winning a silver medal at the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne, Australia. He was never taken down in college and is the only wrestler to ever be on the cover of Sports Illustrated. Hodge’s trademark is to crush an apple with one hand, which he can still do today. The top amateur wrestler is given the Danny Hodge Award equivalent to the Heisman Trophy in college football. A book was recently released on Hodge’s life, Oklahoma Shooter: The Dan Hodge Story, written by Mike Chapman.
I was a lot like every other young man growing up. Our family didn’t have cars and my father worked a lot. I didn’t see him that much, but we did the best we could.
When I was 9, our home burned to the ground. My mother got burnt real bad, real bad. She was in and out of hospitals for a couple of years and needed 52 blood transfusions. About 70 percent of her body was burned.
My brothers and sister were split up. I was sent to live with my granddad. He used to beat me a lot with his cane. He drank a lot. He was a mean man. I got tired of it. One day I said he had beat me for the last time, and I left. I never went back.
My mother re-married and moved to New Mexico. I moved from place to place before finding a spot in a cot above the fire station and working at the Conoco on the weekends I would work from eight in the morning to 10 at night. I learned how to work hard at an early age.
I got into wrestling by accident. I was just watching the boys, and it looked like they were having fun. Coach John Divine did so much for me and taught me so many things that went beyond wrestling.
That first medal is something I’ll never forget. I got third place in junior high. You always remember that first one.
I found out wrestling was my thing. My senior year, I pinned everybody but one person and won state. That one kid from Ponca City ran away the whole time. Wrestling was such a pleasure for me.
I’ve always taught kids to pin. Fans love to see the fall. Pins sell the arena. The harder you work, the luckier you get. The fans meant so much to me. It was always such a thrill to be out there. Loved every minute of it.
The Olympics wasn’t something I thought a lot about. I knew about it some because of Jim Thorpe and Jack VanBebber. It was such a pleasure to be out there. Can you believe a young man from Perry representing his country like that?
I used to break pliers with one hand, and that’s how the crushing the apple started. And in wrestling, there is a lot of slapping. I wanted to break the next arm that slapped me. I would give a limp handshake to start off until the first time I grabbed them. Then they knew I was for real.
I was in the Navy for two years and then got a scholarship to Oklahoma. I figured ‘he can do it, he can do it, I can do it.’ In 1956, I pinned everybody. But I hope somebody will come around and break my record. That means they’ve pinned everybody, and that means they’ve deserved it.
A bad car accident broke my neck in 1976. I was in Louisiana, and I went to turn up the heater in my car, and then my car was bouncing around the highway. It ended up upside down and being submerged in about 10 feet of water. I thought ‘is this is for me?’ A piece of my hip was fused into my neck.
I started boxing and won the Golden Gloves. I was knocking out everybody and was wondering why I wasn’t being knocked out? I fought professionally 10 times but never got paid, so I went to professional wrestling.
My favorite opponent in wrestling was Hiro Matsuda. We’d go 90 minutes one night, and he’d get a fall. Then the next night another 90, and I’d get a fall. Then the next night another 90 and nobody would get a fall. I loved working with him and always felt I could go another 90. But you know what? So could he.
You always have to have time for the kids. They’re the future of the sport, and I still love watching wrestling. I’ve spent time with Ladd Rupp (current Perry wrestler who has won three state titles). I love teaching the kids. The key is hard work. Everyone works hard, so you have to do that something extra.
My family has been wonderful, what a blessing. I don’t know what to say about my wife, Dolores. She’s meant the world to me. I’ve had one son wrestle. I get to see my grandkids all the time. It’s been a pleasure.
It was great to see Sugar Ray Leonard again. We saw him the first time in 1980. He’s such a great person. We were guests to his second fight with Roberto Duran in New Orleans.
I just wanted to show the world I could do something. I’ve wrestled Lou Thesz. I’ve played golf with Joe Louis. Can you believe what a lucky life I’ve had?
Danny Hodge video…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
You don’t have to tell me what I already know: don’t quit my day job. I did enjoy doing this video, though. You can order the Danny Hodge story at amazon.com.
You can probably see Hodge on Friday night at the boxing fights at Remington Park because of his role with the Oklahoma Athletic Commission. Hodge has been there for just about every event so far at Remington.
Going to start his book today.
The Shooter still lives…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
(Danny Hodge on the cover of Sports Illustrated, a mere 52 years ago)
Legendary Oklahoma wrestler Danny Hodge’s book signing at JR’s Family Bar-B-Q restaurant in Moore was supposed to end at 3 p.m. Saturday.
Not even close.
As fans kept pouring in, Hodge had no issues staying there and signing things until nearly 5 o’clock.
Hodge was signing copies of his new book Oklahoma Shooter: The Dan Hodge Story, written by long time friend Mike Chapman.
Chapman has followed amateur wrestling for a long time and started WIN Magazine.
I had a chance to speak at length with Chapman, Hodge and Jim Ross about what Hodge has meant to the sport of wrestling, both amateur and professional.
While college football has the Heisman Trophy, amateur wrestling has the Danny Hodge Award.
The corresponding video will be on NewsOK TV here hopefully in the next day or so.
Every now and then, you know, you have to put down the pen and pad and just soak it in. And that’s mostly what I decided to do Saturday (besides the video).
While Hodge enjoyed trading old war stories with some of the older customers who remember him wrestling all those years ago, his biggest thrill may have been when the young kids came through.
Hodge gave the kids tips and told them about all the hard work needed to be successful. One look at Hodge doing a one-handed handstand (a photo in the book), is all you need to know about his work ethic.
The book is not available in stores but can be ordered and purchased on amazon.com. And Chapman estimated well over 100 books were bought during the signing time as well.
Hodge will be on hand today for the Oklahoma wrestling dual against Nebraska. No doubt in my mind Hodge will once again come out and crush that apple with one hand, his trademark.
It’s easy in talking to Chapman and Ross and customers how much Hodge means to the sport. But it’s even more glaring to hear the testimonies of youngsters like Jake Hager.
Hager, also from Perry like Hodge, said he did whatever he could to soak in Hodge’s knowledge, becoming a sponge.
Hodge is still working with kids, even some of the current Perry boys like three-time state champion Ladd Rupp.
The book has 67 photos, most of them rare from Hodge’s personal collection. Hey, once I get a chance to hunker down and read it, expect a review up here on the blog.
I also got a chance earlier this week to speak at length with Hodge for a future Collected Wisdom piece. More than three pages of notes and nearly two hours of conversation, but all worth it.
Everyone knows about Hodge’s credentials as a boxer and wrestler (most pins, never taken down, only wrestler on cover of Sports Illustrated), but it was a treat to see him just as sharp as ever and still shootin’ all these many years later.
Special thanks to Hodge, Chapman, JR and the restaurant for all their hospitality.
Be back Monday to talk about the losses of both Carson Jones and Jake Rosholt as well as the destruction of Jorge Arce by Vic Darchinyan.
(and Hodge now, courtesy KSBI TV)
Reminder central…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com
Hey, getting toward the end of the week and what better way to spend it than engrossing yourself in some fine fight-related stuff.
Tonight on TV Azteca (check local listings), Oklahoma City welterweight Carson Jones takes on Jesus Soto-Karass in the main event from Maywood, Calif.
Jones has all the tools, and this is his stage to put it all together. Want to know more about his opponent? MaxBoxing’s Steve Kim has this profile on Soto-Karass.
Saturday afternoon legendary Oklahoma wrestler Danny Hodge will have a book signing from noon to 3 p.m. at JR’s Family Bar-B-Q restaurant in Moore. It is your chance to see The Boneman live and in living color.
Hodge’s unbelievable tale has finally been told by Mike Chapman, who has known the Hodge family for more than 30 years.
I recently had a chance to speak at length with Hodge, and what an absolute treat that was for me. I cannot believe how vividly he remembers everything.
After all these years, Hodge is still in Perry and still its favorite son. Hodge will also be in attendance Sunday when the OU wrestling team takes on No. 3-ranked Nebraska at the McCasland Field House at 2 p.m.
Hodge had a huge impact on professional wrestler Jake Hager, now known as “The All-American American Jack Swagger” in the WWE. Hager was an all-American at Oklahoma.
Nice segue to look for a piece Saturday on the career move former Oklahoma State wrestler Jake Rosholt. Rosholt makes his UFC debut Saturday night.
When Rosholt’s opponent changed to Dan Miller, most experts actually thought Rosholt went a step up in competition.
After his one and only fight in WEC, scribes have blasted Rosholt for being nervous and for gassing himself in 30 seconds.
Rosholt ended up winning via second-round KO but many were not impressed.
Everyone thought he would just wrestle, but instead, he stood his ground and traded. Miller has a great wrestling background but is nowhere near the wrestler Rosholt, a three-time national champion at OSU, is.
It will be very interesting to see if Rosholt can contain his nerves and perform like I’ve seen him do so many times on big college wrestling stages.
UFC Fight Night is on Spike at 8 p.m. Saturday. Rosholt’s bout most likely won’t be televised. There would have to be a string of very early KOs that would give Spike the airtime to show the bout.
Special thanks to Rosholt for talking to me this late in the game about the fight. Appreciate the courtesy.
Hey, I’ve been updated with the rest of the NewsOK blogosphere. I like the new look, if only because now you can see my “dashing” good looks. No, seriously though, nice new design.
“He’s going to cash it in…”
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@Oklahoman.com
Man, we’re less than 24 hours removed from C.M. Punk becoming The Man at Monday’s Raw at the Ford Center. Wow, me and my buddy, Sam, had gone over what could possibly happen at our Raw.
A world champion being crowned was the top thing we could see. But we never ever thought it would ACTUALLY happen.
Anyway, it was quite the rush (even if it didn’t come across so great on TV). I was about three rows behind the timekeeper, pretty cool. So, let‘s close out the wrestling discussion with The Boneman’s Top 10 Moments from Monday.
1a. The after party at JR’s new restaurant in Moore. Wow, that restaurant is going to be something special. The memorabilia is incredible. I love the way the place is divided, too. It’s going to be a common stop for yours truly. And any wrestler or crew member who was cool enough to show up earns a couple of points in my book (not that that even matters.)
1b. Punk winning the title. As a fan, you just don’t forget those things.
3. Lillian Garcia’s rendition of the National Anthem. I had no idea this would be this high, but with her voice and the accompanying music, that was a special moment. It also was a little more special so close to the 4th of July.
4. Edge interrupting JR. I don’t know, every time I hear Edge’s song is a rush for me. And the fact that it came after another special moment with JR’s Farewell Address made it bigger than normal.
5. John Cena and Cryme Tyme appearing to distract JBL. Where did Cryme Tyme come from? Anyway, anything that was going to make sure Punk left the building champ was cool enough for me.
6. Batista coming in to destroy Edge, leading to Punk cashing in the Money in the Bank. I’m a sucker for Batista and was going nuts for that BatistaBomb.
7. “Priceless.” That was the first time I heard Ted DiBiase’s new song. I’m digging it. And the promo by Cody Rhodes and Ted…well, it wasn’t priceless, but it was pretty good.
8. All the pyrotechnics. I’ve heard from fans that there is nothing like Kane’s fireworks so close to you. They were right.
9. Meeting Jan Ross. I had to introduce myself. I’ve been bugging JR for a while. I had to let her know who the young reporter is always trying to get the word out. Hey, did you hear the new restaurant is opening July 14? You can never have too many plugs.
Oh wait, here’s one more: JR’s official blog.
10. JR opening the show. Didn’t see it coming, especially since JR didn’t want a big deal being made about everything. But in OKC, kinda demanded something from our favorite son.
What a night! Hope everyone had as good, if not a better time as the Boneman. If anyone has SmackDown stories from tonight in Tulsa, please share. Here at the blog, we’re going to be switching gears here as we have plenty to talk about.
Manny Pacquiao had a virtuoso performance in dominating the game but out-matched David Diaz. And now we’re on the cusp of UFC 86 with Rampage Jackson vs. Forrest Griffin. Whoo boy, should be a good one.
Wait, you came from where?…
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@Oklahoman.com
Well well, Monday Night Raw has come and gone. As a wrestling fan, the Boneman will never forget the night C.M. Punk won his first world title.
But before then, I had some time to kill. Anyone who knows me knows I love to be early to everything. So if a show starts at 7 p.m., well, I’m there by 6.
The same couldn’t be said for the bearer of my ticket, Sam, and his wife, Ashley. They weren’t late by any means, but I HATE traffic and got there a good 30-40 minutes before them. So before I could enter the Ford Center for some rasslin’, I put on my reporter hat again and talked to some of the common folk.
Tony, 23, Newcastle: “I was here for Unforgiven in 2005. I like to think we had a hand in starting the anti-Cena stuff because we really wanted Kurt Angle to kick his (butt). I’m here tonight once again to torment Cena. It’ll never be over.”
Andrea, 11, Norman: “I want to see C.M. Punk. He’s so different from everyone else. It‘s only a matter of time before he‘s champ.” (wait, did Andrea know something we didn’t?)
The Sanders Family, Dallas: “We came straight here from last night’s PPV (Night of Champions). We drove up this morning, had lunch at JR’s Bar-B-Q. After tonight, we’re going up to Tulsa for SmackDown,” David, the father, said. “This is a pretty cool road trip for the boys. I hope we see something we won’t forget.” (is a new world champ enough for you? Pretty memorable.)
Scott, 33, Denver: “I figured I’d get rid of two things at once. I love BBQ, so go to JR’s during the day and Raw at night? Hey, can’t top that. I’m going to try to go to SmackDown, too. We’ll see.”
Linda, 7, Oklahoma City: “This is my birthday present. I could have a party or go to Raw. I want to see John Cena. He’s so cute.” (Boneman note: Linda brought a couple of her friends, too. She’s not that selfish.)
A.J., 14, Tulsa: “I have a hunch Edge is going to be on the show tonight. If I can see Edge tonight, and then again tomorrow, I’m there. He is the Rated-R Superstar.” (and then A.J. did some weird pose I’ve never seen Edge do before.)
Paul, 62, Guthrie: “It can get ridiculous at times, but I grew up a big wrestling fan. I love the man Shawn Michaels has become. I remember when he was just a young punk. He’s matured into someone we can all be proud of. I don’t know if he’ll be here tonight. If not, I think Edge is the best in the business at doing what he does.” (Have to echo these words. Disappointed about no HBK, but Edge is the closest to the most complete performer today.)
Dennis, 15, Oklahoma City: “I’m going to make Michael Cole’s night a living hell. This is Oklahoma City, and you’re in JR country.” (which was then followed by a monstrous “JR” chant with other people in line.)
Brad and Jen, 25 and 23, Seattle: “We’re going to be moving here in a couple months for a job re-location. We wanted to see what it’s like. Oklahoma City is better than people think.” (they both admitted they’re Sonics fans and since Brad and Jen are on the move, they want the team to be, too.)
Overall, I don’t think we had the best creative signs ever. But give yourselves a hand for the intricate details some of you put into them. They were definitely flashy, if nothing else.
I’ll be back later today with my personal memories from Raw.
Q&A w/ JR, Part II
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@Oklahoman.com
With our wrestling discussion in the books, here’s what else is going on with our favorite wrestling announcer, Jim Ross.
BP: You’ve been saying your second JR’s Family Bar-B-Q restaurant is going to open sometime soon, what’s the latest?
JR: Our second restaurant is going to open July 14 (Monday). It’s going to be right off the 19th street exit in Moore near the Wal-Mart and Lowe’s.
BP: What can we expect from this second one?
JR: It’s going to be a lot bigger, almost twice the size of our first one. We’re going to have 14 TVs, and those are going to be bigger than the ones we have now.
The first restaurant had a real homely-like atmosphere. We don’t want to get away from that, but this is going to be a chance to bring in more people.
BP: One of the many appeals of JR’s is the sports memorabilia. Without giving away too much, what are some of the items for display?
JR: My goal, which we’re well on our way to attaining, is to have a signed OU football game jersey from every OU NFL alum. It’s a pretty big task, but it’s going well.
I became friends with Brett Favre during his rookie season. He was with the Atlanta Falcons while I was still with the team. At WrestleMania XIV, I received a package, and it turned out to be a signed Favre jersey. That’s something really special.
BP: Last July, the restaurant biz was just a dream. Now you’re onto restaurant No. 2, did you ever think it would take off like this?
JR: No, I had no idea (laughs). I wish I could say I had this vision, but I have to give a lot of credit to my partner, Hal Smith.
Hal is a restaurateur. He owns Charleston’s and Louie’s. He knows what he’s doing. I just had a dream, and Hal has made that dream a reality.
BP: Alright, you’re in Norman, going to Moore. What’s next for JR’s?
JR: We’re definitely exploring our options. We’d like to put a couple in the Oklahoma City area and a couple in Tulsa. From there, we’re really looking at Lawton. Lawton has some really big schools and a military base, it’s a perfect environment.
I always say I don’t think Colonel Sanders knew that he would become the face of chicken. I’d love to be the Colonel Sanders of Bar-B-Q.
BP: How successful is the line of JR’s merchandise doing?
JR: That’s doing great. We have a lot of new and creative ideas we’re looking to try to implement. There are a lot of T-shirt designs we’re mulling over.
BP: UFC President Dana White has said he would like to come to Oklahoma City in the next six to 12 months. Your impressions of MMA?
JR: I love MMA, it’s an exploding sport. There’s a lot more structure than what there used to be. I am a major college wrestling fan. And what MMA does is give those kids a chance to still use their skills after college. Not every wrestler wants to go to the Olympics, and of course, not every wrestler can.
But with MMA, at least some of their skills can carry over. They have to learn some new skills, but they can still use their grappling abilities.
BP: What’s one of the big reasons why you feel the sport is doing gangbusters?
JR: I think a big part that not too many people are talking about is the addition of Marc Ratner to the scene. Ratner is big in Nevada, and he was the big boxing guy for so long with the Nevada State Athletic Commission. But when he made the jump to MMA, he gave it a lot of credibility with state commissions. He’s one of the most respected guys I know, and I think it’s only a matter of time before New York starts to sanction events.
As a huge boxing and MMA fan, leave it to a “wrestling” guy to make the Boneman realize just how big Marc Ratner is. That’s an excellent and valid point if I’ve ever heard one.
Again, just want to thank JR for his time. I’m sure he could have had better things to do on a Thursday afternoon.
He’s still courteous to everyone who wants a photo or autograph. He’s just as comfortable talking wrestling with me as he is talking OU athletics with Joe Castiglione (who happened to enter JR’s about 10 minutes after yours truly).
Stay tuned Tuesday as the Boneman will be back with a full recap of Raw. For the first time ever, I don’t plan on making any signs for the event. I just want to enjoy it 
Q&A w/ JR, Part I
By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@Oklahoman.com
There are some things I just won’t pass up in life. And right near the top of that list is a chance to shoot the breeze with Norman’s very own Jim Ross.
Yeah, I know, he’s just a “wrestling announcer.” But the values he lives by and the things he can teach those willing to learn are just some of the things that make him special. Just because he is known as the wrestling guy does not mean there is not more to the man.
That’s why it pained me to see him look so shaken Monday night after being moved from Raw to SmackDown. At first glance, everyone thought it was a selfish “woe is me” situation.
But it’s not.
Now the Boneman may not love wrestling the way he used. Gone are the days of taping every TV show, buying every PPV and wrestling with my brothers in the basement. But if the WWE is going to come to OKC, I’m still making the trip.
I had a chance to sit down with JR at his restaurant in Norman and pick the brain of the WWE Hall of Famer.
BP: Obviously, last Monday came as a shock to you. Did you know anything about the switch before the show?
JR: I had no idea. I think that’s where people get the wrong idea. It wasn’t that I was mad or upset about going to SmackDown. I compare it to any athlete who has been on one team for so long, and then all the sudden leaves for another team late in his career.
Mickey Mantle (one of JR’s idols growing up) is and always will be a New York Yankee. How sad was it to see the great Johnny Unitas as a Los Angeles Ram after all those years with the Colts?
I was just leaving my comfort zone, leaving home base. And I wasn’t prepared for it.
BP: With the change coming so close to the OKC Raw event, will you still be in attendance?
JR: Definitely. I have a ticket, but I don’t think I’m going to sit in the crowd. I feel that would be too big of a distraction. And I certainly don’t want to do that to Michael Cole (the new Raw announcer). This is not about putting me over as a star, so I’m still going to be there, but I don’t want to play a big role. I may make a cameo appearance. If so, that’s fine. Who knows, maybe this time I won’t get my butt kicked in front of the hometown fans?
BP: How long did it take for you to accept your new role?
JR: My flight to Houston (for the SmackDown tapings) was delayed for two hours because of lightning. That gave me time to think. This is just a new challenge for me. I love challenges, and this is the latest one.
A lot of effort has been put in making SmackDown a different show. I’m just a part of that puzzle. You see guys like Jeff Hardy and Triple H making the move and you add that with someone like Edge and all the sudden there is a lot of potential.
People think “oh, they’ll just be traded back.” Well, it hasn’t happened. They wanted to change things up, and they have. Now is my chance to help elevate the show help out the company however I can.
BP: You talk about this being a new challenge, what are some of your goals now?
JR: First and foremost, I want to make myself and Mick Foley (his SmackDown partner) the best broadcasting team in the WWE. It isn’t going to be easy because myself and “The King” Jerry Lawler — you know, we had a special kind of chemistry. I feel like I have a lot to offer to Mick and can really help him improve. Well, at least after 35 years in this business, I hope I have a lot to offer him.
BP: I know it’s early in the partnership, but how is Foley different from Lawler. And from what you see, do you think Foley is in this for the long haul?
JR: I love Mick. Mick’s a great guy, and he’s really intelligent. He’ll spend a lot more time preparing because his style is just different than The King’s. Mick will be reading People magazine and trying to stay fresh on everything.
I can’t speak for Mick, but I sure feel like he wants to be here for a long time. It keeps him fresh in wrestling fans’ minds when they see him once a week. It still gives him plenty of time to write because you know how good a writer he is. I don’t think he is treating this as a part-time thing. He’s showing a lot of dedication. And speaking for both of us, we’re overachievers. I did all I could to get Mick hired back in 1996. I knew that if he didn’t become a major player, at least he would be a great asset to the boys. But I always knew he could become a star. His work ethic is tough to match. When you put two personalities like that together, who really think alike and have the same priorities, there’s no telling what can happen. We’re always striving to get better.
BP: With SmackDown being taped, how is the post-production process going to be for you?
JR: Yeah, we’ve got that all set up now. They’re going to run a DSL cable through my house and have already sent a headset. I’m going to be able to stay home and do everything, so that’s a big bonus.
BP: I always feel weird trying to pitch a story idea to my boss that pertains wrestling. Is it sports, is it entertainment? I know it’s not a new question, but what’s your take on that?
JR: Wrestling is like nothing else in the world. People don’t know if it’s sports or entertainment. But what I know is it attracts a lot of people to the arenas. Millions of people are watching the shows on TV, buying the merchandise. And it really helps out the economy. A lot of money is made when the WWE comes to town. Wrestling is a part of Americana is some shape or form. It’s not up to me to decide where it stands. All I know is I’ve been in this business a long time and have loved it. I have so many great memories that will always be special to me.
Stay tuned for Part II of the conversation with good ol’ JR here on the Boneman’s Blog. We stray away from wrestling and tackle such topics as MMA, Bar-B-Q (you know his second restaurant is opening), marketing the man with the black hat, OU football and other items.
Many thanks to JR for taking the time from his busy schedule from promoting the Raw and SmackDown events in OKC and Tulsa to sit down and impart some knowledge to this young whippersnapper.
