Gene Okerlund Suffered Multiple Broken Ribs During Recent Fall; Had Trouble Breathing
Yesterday, the wrestling world lost legendary interviewer and personality “Mean” Gene Okerlund. He was 76.
Todd Okerlund told TMZ that his father suffered multiple broken ribs after a fall in December. Todd said that Gene had been in bad health for awhile and the fall caused things to get worse. Okerlund had undergone three kidney transplants during his life.
Four days prior to his death, Gene was admitted to a nursing home. He was rushed to the hospital on Wednesday after having trouble breathing. He passed at a hospital in Sarasota, Florida with his wife Jeanne by his side.
Todd went on to say that the family has been touched by all of the support for his father and that Gene loved his career and would have done it for free.
WWE superstars and others in the wrestling community posted memories throughout the day on social media. You can view comments made by Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair, Steve Austin and others here and here. Vince McMahon also issued a statement on Okerlund’s passing, which you can read here.
RIP “Mean” Gene Okerlund.
