Legendary Pro Wrestler Once Played Football at Wyoming
If you grew up watching professional wrestling like I did, you may remember the Gagne family. Verne Gagne was among the most legendary wrestlers and promoters of all time, but did you know his son played football at the University of Wyoming?
After transferring from Minnesota, Greg Gagne was a member of the 1970 Pokes team that finished 1-9.
Although Gagne was the third string quarterback, he played in all 11 games, completing 21 of 51 passes, throwing for two touchdowns and three interceptions.
After college, Gagne went into the family business. He debuted in his father's American Wrestling Association promotion in 1972 and quickly became one of the biggest stars in the company.
In 1977, he teamed with 'Jumping' Jim Brunzell to win the AWA World Tag Team Championship. They would hold the belts for over a year before vacating the title due to injury.
The High Flyers, as they were known, regained the tag team titles in 1981 and held them for over two years.
After Brunzell left to join the rival World Wrestling Federation, Gagne continued as a singles wrestler, eventually winning the AWA International Television title in 1988.
When the AWA folded in the early '90s, Gagne worked as a road agent for World Championship Wrestling before retiring from the business. His father Vern was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2006.
Gagne's Wyoming connection came full circle in 2010, when he helped upstart Alex Riley break into the business. Riley, who went on to become a WWE superstar, is the son of Gagne's former UW teammate Kevin Kiley.