Fridge In For Repairs

By Benjy Lipsman in News on Apr 22, 2009 7:40PM

William "Refrigerator" Perry, the larger than life former Bears defensive lineman, has been hospitalized in serious condition in an Aiken, South Carolina hospital due to complications from Guillain-Barre Syndrom. The illness is an inflammatory disorder of the peripheral nerves with symptoms that can include general weakness and numbness of the legs, arms, breathing muscles and face. While listed in serious condition, Perry's family members have said he's shown improvement and is expected to recover. The Fridge was first diagnosed with the rare disease in June.

Perry was a first round draft pick by the Bears in 1985, and was a rookie on the Super Bowl winning team. Among the first 300-pounders in the NFL, and with a large gap-tooth grin, he became an overnight sensation. While a defensive lineman, head coach Mike Ditka sometimes inserted the big guy into the offense on goal line plays. He even scored a touchdown in Super Bowl XX. Fridge also was a key member of the Bears Shufflin' Crew, where he reminded us all that:

You're lookin' at the Fridge, I'm the rookie. I may be large, but I'm no dumb cookie. You've seen me hit, you've seen me run, When I get the pass, we'll have more fun. I can dance, you will see The others, they all learn from me.

After his football career ended, he worked as a brick layer back home in Aiken. He's also competed in a number of publicity stunts like boxing 7'7" former NBA player Manute Bol and entering the Nathan's famous July 4 Hot Dog Eating Contest.