Spotlight on a legend: Junk Yard Dog
The name Sylvester Ritter may not stand out to many people, if anyone at all. But one name that does is Junkyard Dog or JYD for short. A native of North Carolina Sylvester Ritter’s first sport of choice was football. Dominating the offensive line in high school he continued that success into college. A two time honorable mention All American at Fayetteville State University he tried to translate his skills to the professional level. Unfortunately a knee injury cut that dream short. He never played a snap after being cut in the offseason. But a new career was waiting for the man that would Thump his way into the hearts of the fans. Debuting in the Tennessee territory in 1976 working for Jerry Jarrett. In December of 1978 Ritter tasted his first championship success in Stu Hart’s Stampede Wrestling. Capturing the Stampede North American Heavyweight Championship under the name Big Daddy Ritter. He would win it again July of 1979 but would only hold it for 15 days. From there he would move