Teddy Long Says Vince McMahon ‘Paved The Way’ For African Americans in Professional Wrestling

2017 WWE Hall of Fame inductee Teddy Long was interviewed by The Roman Show at the F.E.W. People's Show in Miami. Long discussed aspects of his nearly three-decade long career in pro wrestling.

You can watch the interview in the video above, or read these submitted these highlights:

The current state of African Americans in professional wrestling:

"I think everything that is going to happen is going to happen. We have had African American world champions, we've had Afro American tag team champions, I think everything has happened. Take me for instance; I was the first Afro American to go this far as running a major wrestling company. I stayed in this position nine years as manager. Where can I go? I can't go any higher than that. I am not a wrestler. Vince McMahon paved the way for Afro American guys that want to do something. It's not up to Vince to make you a star because you're African American, you have to be able to do something too."

How was it working with Vickie Guerrero:

"It was outstanding. She was a sweet woman. It's as sweet as she can be. The thing with Vickie and me, it got over because we became a team. We understood what our job was. We had a job for the people and give them what they want. Some of them were some of my ideas."

How he got his start in pro wrestiling:

"Things have changed. I started doing errands. I had the opportunity of being back there so my sixth sense told me I better start getting busy or make up stuff so you can remain back here."