Firpo Wilcox
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born: | December 21, 1901 Bixby, Oklahoma Territory |
| Died: | August 2, 1962 (aged 60) Muskogee, Oklahoma |
| Height: | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) |
| Weight: | 205 lb (93 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school: | Bixby (OK) |
| College: | Oklahoma |
| Position: | Tackle |
| Career history | |
| |
John Harrison "Firpo" Wilcox (December 21, 1901 – August 2, 1962) was an American football player and professional wrestler.
Wilcox was born in Bixby, Oklahoma Territory in 1901.[1] He was the son of Bixby pioneers. He moved as a child to Leonard, Oklahoma.[1]
He played college football for Kendall College and the University of Oklahoma. He also competed in wrestling at Oklahoma.[2][3] He also played professional football in the National Football League (NFL) as a tackle for the Buffalo Rangers in 1926 and Staten Island Stapletons in 1930. He appeared in 12 NFL games, 11 as a starter.[1]
After retiring from football, he worked as a professional wrestler in the late 1920s and 1930s.[2] He was billed as an "Oklahoma Indian" (sometimes as "Chief Firpo Wilcox") during his wrestling career.[4][5]
He also served in the U.S. Army during World War II. In later years, he was engaged in the oil business in Oklahoma. He died in 1962 at the veterans hospital in Muskogee, Oklahoma.[2]
References
- ^ a b c "Firpo Wilcox". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved July 16, 2020.
- ^ a b c "'Wild Bull' of OU Campus' Dies at 60; Graveside Rites in Bixby". Bixby Bulletin. August 9, 1962. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "'Firpo' Wilcox Joins Sooners: Giant Tackle Dons Moleskins After a Year's Layoff And Looks Good". The Daily Oklahoman. October 20, 1925. p. 12 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Wyckoff Takes on Firpo Wilcox for Featured Match". The Wichita Eagle. May 22, 1938. p. 11 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Indian Grappling Champion to Clash With Dern in Feature Bout". Salt Lake Telgram. May 13, 1928. p. 6 – via Newspapers.com.