Former WWE wrestler Darren ‘Droz’ Drozdov passes away at 54

Former WWE wrestler Darren “Droz” Drozdov has died at 54 years old.

Drozdov’s passing was confirmed by WWE on Friday. A tribute graphic was shown at the start of SmackDown, which is taking place in London and is airing live in the United Kingdom.

“We are sad to share our beloved Darren passed away this morning of natural causes,” the Drozdov family said in a statement. “There are no words to convey the deep sense of loss and sadness we are feeling right now.”

Drozdov courageously lived the last 24 years of his life in a wheelchair after being paralyzed in an in-ring accident. The accident happened during a match against D-Lo Brown in October 1999.

In 2014, Drozdov told Jim Ross that he didn’t blame Brown for what happened.

“I have no hard feelings toward D’Lo because sh*t happens and everyone who gets involved in athletics, including WWE, knows the risks that exist,” Drozdov said. “It was an accident.”

Before his pro wrestling career, Drozdov was a standout football player for the University of Maryland and went on to have a stint in the NFL. He made his WWF in-ring debut in 1998 and aligned with the Legion of Doom.

Drozdov was featured in the documentary “Beyond the Mat,” with Vince McMahon taking an interest in Drozdov’s ability to vomit on command and wanting to use it as part of Drozdov’s character. McMahon wanted to give Drozdov the name “Puke.”

After the accident ended his in-ring career, Drozdov worked for WWE as a contributor to WWE.com. He had a column where he gave predictions for WWE pay-per-views.

The full statement from the Drozdov family can be read below:

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.