JR's Blog: Jack Brisco Services
Thursday in Tampa I was bestowed one of the greatest honors of my career when I was given the opportunity to eulogize the legendary Jack Brisco. Here are a few thoughts on a long, emotional day.
Several notable figures from the world of wrestling were in attendance.
WWE Hall of Famers included Gerald Brisco, Pat Patterson, Dusty Rhodes, Dory Funk, and Terry Funk.
Others there paying their respects to the Oklahoman of Choctaw and Chickasaw decent included: Michael Hayes, Edge, Bruce Prichard, Chavo Guerrero, Sr, Hector Guerrero, Mike Graham, Steve Keirn, Tom Prichard, Norman Smiley, Mike Graham, George Scott, Brian Blair, Haku, Ricky Santana, Dan Spivey, David Sierra, Lanny Poffo and John Laurinaitis. I apologize if I have inadvertently left anyone out but its been a long day and I'm going from memory.
Several members of the Florida Championship Wrestling roster were at the services as well. I hope those kids fully realize how special Thursday was.
When the two time All American wrestler from Oklahoma State made his pro debut in my home territory in 1965 it was huge, sports news in every newspaper and TV station in Oklahoma.
Ironically it was 41 years to the day of Jack's services that he won his first, major, singles title, the Southern Heavyweight Championship, right here in Tampa at the Ft. Homer Hesterly Armory when virtual mirror image of Lou Thesz defeated the Missouri Mauler.
In 1974, Brisco befriended a rookie referee and in a span of three days taught him not only how one should conduct one's self in the wrestling business but in life as well. Jack showed me genuine respect and carried himself with dignity and class. I was lucky to meet Jack so early in my career and even luckier to be able to ref some Brisco vs. Danny Hodge NWA Title bouts. To see two of my greatest heroes competing in one match was pretty awesome especially being the proverbial 'third man in the ring.
Jack and Dory Funk, Jr were the 'Lennon and McCartney' of their genre. Those two, left handed grapplers made beautiful and timeless music together. Their matches still hold up today and are rarely equaled in today's business.
I got to spend a few hours Thursday night with Gerald Brisco and we toasted our memories of his late brother who influenced countless wrestling stars.
Jack Brisco was the 'Norman Rockwell' of wrestling in that Jack had the skills and desire to paint memorable and unduplicated portraits on the wrestling canvas. No wrestler I ever saw perform blended amateur and pro wrestling techniques better than the humble and reserved man from Blackwell, Oklahoma.
To illustrate just how great an all around an athlete Jack was, right after he left OSU, Dallas Cowboys coach Tom Landry contacted Jack and offered the two time wrestling All American a free agent contract to join the NFL team. Even though Jack had not played football since his high school days with the Blackwell Maroons, Landry felt that Brisco had the potential to be a NFL linebacker.
So Jack until we meet again please allow me to say "So long from the Sunshine State of Florida."
J.R.
