Former WWE Star Darren ‘Droz’ Drozdov Passes Away At Age 54

WWE

Former WWE star Darren ‘Droz’ Drozdov has passed away at the age of 54.

Per PWInsider, Darren Drozdov, better known as Droz, has passed away at 54 years old.

Drozdov was born in Mays Landing, New Jersey and became a high school and college football star. He played three seasons in the NFL for the Philadelphia Eagles, The New York Jets and The Denver Broncos.

In the late 1990s, Drozdov made his way into the professional wrestling world where he signed with the WWF before being fielded out to ECW to get additional experience.

Droz officially debuted for WWE in 1998 and the following year was seen in the memorable documentary, Beyond The Mat. In the film, Vince McMahon famously met with Drozdov to showcase his ability to vomit on command with the idea of his character to be “Puke.”

Drozdov was aligned with the Legion of Dom’s Hawk and Animal in an infamous storyline where he was replacing Hawk in the team and enabling his drinking.

Unfortunately, a tragic accident on October 5, 1999 changed Droz’s life and ended his career forever. While wrestling D’Lo Brown at a WWF taping in Uniondale, Long Island, New York, Droz slipped during a powerbomb sequence, fell and fractured two vertebrae in his neck.

Due to this accident, the former WWE star was never able to walk again, losing most of the movement below his neck.

Many former WWE stars and names have praised Drozdov for his strength and dignity in the wake of his in-ring accident. Droz is widely regarded as one of the toughest men to ever step into a wrestling ring.

WWE released the following statement:

STATEMENT FROM THE FAMILY OF DARREN DROZDOV

We are sad to share our beloved Darren passed away this morning of natural causes.  There are no words to convey the deep sense of loss and sadness we are feeling right now. 
Darren, affectionately known as “Droz,” was involved in a tragic ring accident while wrestling for the WWE in 1999 that rendered him a quadriplegic.  Nevertheless, Droz maintained a championship mindset and lived every day to the fullest even though he was unable to move from the neck down for the past 24 years.  His own words sum up his relentless positivity in the midst of adversity: “There is always another day. Just because I’m paralyzed and stuck in a wheelchair, doesn’t mean my life is over. I’ve learned to live again, and my life is far from over.”  
     
We lived this journey with him over the past 24 years. We were always there through the good times and the bad, and provided him with our unconditional love. We would like to extend our deepest appreciation to everyone. All of his fans, teammates, colleagues, and friends for all the love and support he received over the years.  You all gave him meaning, purpose and something to live for.  He loved each and every one of you and cherished the conversations, notes and letters he received.  His faith in humanity never faltered, so know that for all the love you’ve shown him, he loved you back.
 
We also would also like to thank WWE for treating him like family, and for all of their love, support and stepping up to make sure that Darren always had the proper care and treatment needed to live in his condition over the past 24 years.
He was a devoted son, brother, and friend who had always put others first, especially his family.  He was kind, generous and was always there for his people. He was our guiding light who lit up our lives with infinite love and wonder. His smile was healing. His warmth, love, and laughter were infectious. We could always turn to him for wisdom and solace and his absence feels like a giant hole in our family and our hearts.  Everyone who knew Darren was a better person because of it.  He taught everyone so much about how to look at life: how to put things in perspective, how to overcome adversity, and how to show compassion for others.  He would not want anyone to be sad at this moment and would want to this to be a celebration of his life, to be remembered for all the great things that he accomplished, the fun, the laughter, the great memories he shared with everyone.

WrestleTalk would like to extend our deepest condolences to Darren Drozdov’s family and friends for their loss.

• wwe
• passes away
• Darren Drozdov

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