02/28/2025 - Episode One - Ernie Ladd

In this very first episode of "The Sports Backroom," host Ty Coulter tells the story of "The Big Cat" Ernie Ladd. Coulter tells how a kid larger than most in Orange, Texas grew to be one of the biggest stars in football and professional wrestling. He also answers the questions of what NFL legend Ladd said no to, why Ladd almost didn't play in the 1965 AFL All-Star Game and what really happened in the wrestling ring in Cleveland in 1974 against Ox Baker. Finally, Coulter gives his thoughts as to why Ernie Ladd is in The Sports Backroom.

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For footage of the mentioned 1974 Cleveland match with Ox Baker, check out this video: https://youtu.be/oRFrOb00xnA?si=tBl9QlFO419Qw7Mg

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Key Topics and Times

0:00 - Intro

0:59 - Ladd's Childhood

1:38 - Ladd's Collegiate Career

2:08 - Ladd and the 1961 NFL/AFL Drafts

4:00 - Ladd's Professional Football Career

5:30 - 1965 AFL All-Star Game

6:35 - Ladd's Last Years in Football

7:15 - Move To Professional Wrestling

9:28 - 1974 Cleveland Match Against Ox Baker

11:22 - Ladd's Last Matches

11:37 - Ladd's Broadcasting Career

11:55 - Life Post-Retirement

12:43 - Ladd's Death

12:50 - Career Retrospective