William Perry ( American football ) - wikipedia William Perry ( American football ) Jump to : navigation , search For other people with the same name , see William Perry ( disambiguation ) . William Perry No. 72 , 90 , 95 Position : Defensive tackle , fullback Date of birth : ( 1962 - 12 - 16 ) December 16 , 1962 ( age 54 ) Place of birth : Aiken , South Carolina Height : 6 ft 2 in ( 1.88 m ) Weight : 350 lb ( 159 kg ) Career information High school : Aiken ( SC ) College : Clemson NFL Draft : 1985 / Round : 1 / Pick : 22 Career history Chicago Bears ( 1985 -- 1993 ) Philadelphia Eagles ( 1993 -- 1994 ) London Monarchs ( 1996 ) Career highlights and awards Inducted to the ( WWE ) Hall of Fame ( 2006 ) Super Bowl champion ( XX ) Consensus All - American ( 1983 ) Career NFL statistics Sacks : 29.5 Games : 138 Offensive TDs : 3 Player stats at NFL.com William Anthony Perry ( born December 16 , 1962 ) is a former American professional football player who was a defensive lineman in the National Football League ( NFL ) for ten seasons during the 1980s and 1990s . Perry played college football for Clemson University , and was recognized as an All - American . He was selected in the first round of the 1985 NFL Draft , and played professionally for the Chicago Bears and Philadelphia Eagles of the NFL . In reference to his imposing size , he was popularly known as `` The Refrigerator '' or , abbreviated , `` The Fridge . '' Perry also occasionally played at fullback at the goal line due to his size and power . Contents ( hide ) 1 Early years 2 College career 3 Professional career 4 Beyond football 4.1 Business ventures 4.2 Music 4.3 Media appearances 4.4 Trivia 5 Personal life 6 References 7 External links Early years ( edit ) Perry was born in Aiken , South Carolina . He has stated in an interview that `` Even when I was little , I was big '' ; by the time he was 11 years old , he weighed 200 pounds . Frequently ridiculed for his weight while growing up , Perry took advantage of his athleticism to silence his critics . He attended Aiken High School and played as a 295 - pound nose guard on the school 's football team and ran on its track team . During an exercise in which his coach instructed all of his fastest players to line up for a 100 - yard dash , Perry joined the group of running backs , wide receivers and defensive backs and eventually was timed as the 6th fastest runner on the entire team , with a time of 11.00 seconds flat . He was also able to run the 100 meters under 12 seconds , and competed in the shot put event , recording a top - throw of 16.44 m ( 53 ft 11 in ) . He could also execute 360 - degree dunks on regulation basketball hoops and perform complicated dives into the swimming pool . College career ( edit ) Perry 's athletic performances earned him a full - ride scholarship to attend Clemson University in Clemson , South Carolina , where he played for coach Danny Ford 's Clemson Tigers football team from 1981 to 1984 . He was a member of a national championship team in 1981 , and was recognized as a consensus first - team All - American as a junior in 1983 . As a freshman in 1981 , he earned his `` refrigerator '' nickname when a fellow player could barely squeeze into an elevator with Perry and their laundry which they were taking to be washed . The player , Ray Brown , said `` Man , you 're about as big as a refrigerator . '' Professional career ( edit ) In 1985 , he was selected in the first round of the 1985 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears ; he had been hand - picked by coach Mike Ditka . However , defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan , who had a highly acrimonious relationship with Ditka , called Perry a `` wasted draft - pick '' . Perry soon became a pawn in the political power struggle between Ditka and Ryan . Perry 's `` Refrigerator '' nickname followed him into the NFL and he quickly became a favorite of the Chicago Bears fans . Teammates called him `` Biscuit , '' as in `` one biscuit shy of 350 pounds . '' While Ryan refused to play Perry , Ditka decided to use Perry as a fullback when the team was near the opponents ' goal line or in fourth and short situations , either as a ball carrier or a lead blocker for star running back Walter Payton . Ditka stated the inspiration for using Perry as a fullback came to him during five - yard sprint exercises . During his rookie season , Perry rushed for two touchdowns and caught a pass for one . Perry even had the opportunity to run the ball during Super Bowl XX , as a nod to his popularity and contributions to the team 's success . The first time he got the ball , he was tackled for a one - yard loss while attempting to throw his first NFL pass on a halfback option play . The second time he got the ball , he scored a touchdown ( running over Patriots linebacker Larry McGrew in the process ) . About halfway through his rookie season , Ryan finally began to play Perry , who soon proved that he was a capable defensive lineman . His Super Bowl ring size is the largest of any professional football player in the history of the event . His ring size is 25 , while the ring size for the average adult male is between 10 and 12 . Perry went on to play for ten years in the NFL , retiring after the 1994 season . In his ten years as a pro , he regularly struggled with his weight , which hampered his performance at times . He played in 138 games , recording 29.5 sacks and five fumble recoveries , which he returned for a total of 71 yards . In his offensive career he ran five yards for two touchdowns , and had one reception for another touchdown . Perry later attempted a comeback , playing an unremarkable 1996 season with the London Monarchs of the World League of American Football ( later NFL Europa ) . Beyond football ( edit ) ( hide ) This section has multiple issues . Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page . ( Learn how and when to remove these template messages ) This section of a biography of a living person needs additional citations for verification . Please help by adding reliable sources . Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately , especially if potentially libelous or harmful . ( November 2013 ) ( Learn how and when to remove this template message ) This section contains information of unclear or questionable importance or relevance to the article 's subject matter . Please help improve this section by clarifying or removing superfluous information . If importance can not be established , the section is likely to be moved to another article , pseudo-redirected , or removed . Find sources : `` William Perry '' American football -- news newspapers books scholar JSTOR ( November 2013 ) ( Learn how and when to remove this template message ) ( Learn how and when to remove this template message ) Business ventures ( edit ) In 2006 , he began marketing his own branded barbecue sauce . Also in 2006 , he turned down an offer to become Director of Football Operations for the Continental Indoor Football League 's Chicago Slaughter . Music ( edit ) During his popular tenure with the Bears , Perry participated in the recording of two rap records , both in 1985 , in addition to the team 's very popular `` Super Bowl Shuffle '' . Walter Payton and Perry recorded an anti-drug , pro-peace rap tune entitled `` Together '' which was written by four Evanston , Illinois teens . It was re-released in 1999 with part of the profits going to the Walter Payton Foundation . Media appearances ( edit ) Perry participated in a World Wrestling Federation battle royal at WrestleMania 2 in Rosemont , Illinois in 1986 . In 2006 , he returned to the Chicago area to be inducted into the `` Celebrity Wing '' of the WWE Hall of Fame by John Cena . In 2000 , he was defeated by Bob Sapp in a toughman boxing competition on FX . In 2002 , he lost in the third round to 7 ft 7 in ( 2.3 m ) former NBA basketball player Manute Bol in a charity boxing match on the Fox Network 's Celebrity Boxing program . In 2003 , he appeared in Nathan 's Hot Dog Eating Contest as a `` celebrity contestant . '' He stopped eating 5 minutes into the competition . This was parodied in an episode of TV Funhouse from the November 11 , 2006 episode of Saturday Night Live in which Takeru Kobayashi plays a hot dog eating superhero . After Kobayashi saves the day by eating a lot of hot dogs , a cartoon William Perry makes an appearance saying `` Damn ! '' in Japanese . He participated in the 2006 Lingerie Bowl as the super sub . He made a guest appearance in the 1980s television show The A-Team . In the 21st episode of the 4th season ( The Trouble with Harry ) `` Fridge '' signs into the same hospital The A-Team is using to help their friend Harry recover . Throughout the episode , Perry only has a few lines -- including the funny : `` They 'll never catch him '' , referring to his NFL playing days -- but he gives out `` Bears '' caps in the final scene . B.A. Baracus and Hulk Hogan ( who guest starred in the episode as well ) react angrily when they do n't get a cap , but the large sized Perry is able to calm them down with his huge smile . In 2003 , he appeared in a TV movie on Comedy Central called Windy City Heat , opposite an aspiring actor named Perry Caravello , who is led to believe he is acting in a major motion picture . He also made a short appearance in the opening of According to Jim ( Season 8 , Episode 15 ) . He starred in a commercial in the 1980s with Jim McMahon , fellow Chicago Bears teammate , for Coke Classic and Coke . He appears on the Chef Tony infomercial endorsing My Rotisserie in a number of acted scenes where he plays poker with his friends , while singing the praises of the kitchen appliance . During Super Bowl XLIV , Perry joined other members of the 1985 Chicago Bears in resurrecting the Super Bowl Shuffle in a Boost Mobile commercial . In 2002 , Perry competed on the 2nd edition of Celebrity Boxing losing to NBA star Manute Bol by unanimous decision . He also made an appearance on an episode of the Comedy Central series , The Man Show . Trivia ( edit ) Popular rap trio The Fat Boys recorded a twelve - inch single titled `` Chillin ' with the Refrigerator '' released on Sutra Records . A novelty hit , `` Frig - O - Rator , '' was released in December 1985 on the Motown label by Roq - In ' Zoo and featured sound bites of Bears game plays . The following year The Fridge was yet again remembered in a rap song , this time by the obscure Los Angeles - based hip - hop group Hard Machine who released the single `` Refrigerator . '' Perry is one of several real people to be immortalized with a 3.75 in ( 9.5 cm ) G.I. Joe action figure of himself as The Fridge . The figure was offered in 1986 , the same year the Bears defeated the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl . In 2013 , Perry was named as both original ( as fullback ) and unlockable ( as defensive tackle ) All - Player Legend on Madden 25 , the only player to be named twice , and his career as a running back was only until 1990 . Personal life ( edit ) In June 2008 , he was diagnosed with Guillain -- Barré syndrome , a chronic inflammation disorder of the peripheral nerves . On April 22 , 2009 , Perry was hospitalized in South Carolina in serious condition from his Guillain -- Barré syndrome . Perry spent approximately a month in the hospital before being released . In June 2010 , it was reported that Perry suffered from hearing loss , but also that he was improving after his diagnosis of Guillain -- Barré syndrome . He had lost more than one hundred pounds ( 50 kg ) , but was , by this time , back up to 330 lb ( 150 kg ) . In February 2011 , ESPN ran a somber article about him , citing ongoing health and drinking problems , and a weight of 400 lb ( 180 kg ) . In January 2016 , Perry , weighing more than 425 pounds , checked himself into the hospital to receive treatment for diabetes . Now confined to a wheelchair , Perry revealed he had no feeling in his feet and is in danger of having his leg amputated . In April 2011 , Cliff Forrest , a 10 - year - old child , discovered Perry 's Super Bowl ring for sale . With help from his mother , he purchased it for $8,500 and returned the ring to Perry . In September 2015 , it was reported that Perry 's Super Bowl ring was auctioned off for more than $200,000 by the man Perry had sold it to several years earlier . As of October 29 , 2014 , Perry has been confined to his late father 's home . Michael Dean Perry , his younger brother and another former NFL defensive lineman is William 's assigned Guardian and Conservator for his affairs . July 30 , 2015 , Perry 's Super Bowl ring , the largest Super Bowl ring ever made , was auctioned off to an unknown bidder . As of September 23 , 2015 , Perry is living off a monthly social security disability check , and also gets some disability money from the NFL as he lives in an assisted living townhouse . Perry was hospitalized in Chicago with a leg infection following his return to Soldier Field January 3 , 2016 . References ( edit ) ^ Jump up to : Friend , Tom ( February 8 , 2011 ) . `` How ' The Fridge ' lost his way '' . ESPN.com . Retrieved 30 October 2012 . Jump up ^ https://www.trackingfootball.com/players/william-perry-11512/ Jump up ^ https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/early-lead/wp/2016/02/02/get-ready-for-30-for-30-with-these-amazing-facts-about-the-1985-chicago-bears/ Jump up ^ Mayer , Larry ( January 27 , 2016 ) . `` 20 interesting facts about ' 85 Bears '' . Chicago Bears . Retrieved January 28 , 2016 . Jump up ^ Sports Illustrated for Kids , p. 39 , February 2007 . Jump up ^ http://www.thefridgebbqsauce.net/ Jump up ^ `` Top Ten Characters : William Perry '' . National Football League . Retrieved November 1 , 2014 . Jump up ^ `` Episode 15 Summary '' . Jump up ^ `` Fat Boys - Discography '' . Jump up ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxBVCPbT6Fw&feature=em-uploademail Madden 25 Connected Franchise - List of All Player Legends Jump up ^ Yumasun.com article . Jump up ^ Fridge in serious condition . Jump up ^ Associated Press ( 21 June 2010 ) . `` ' Fridge ' back up to 330 pounds '' . Retrieved 22 June 2010 . Jump up ^ Tom Friend ( 6 February 2011 ) . `` How ' The Fridge ' lost his way '' . ESPN . Retrieved 2011 - 02 - 07 . Jump up ^ Chicago Sun - Times ( 6 January 2016 ) . `` William Perry in hospital to treat diabetes '' . Retrieved 6 January 2016 . Jump up ^ Modrowski , Roman ( April 4 , 2011 ) . `` William Perry gets Super Bowl ring back '' . ESPNChicago.com . Retrieved 30 October 2012 . Jump up ^ Placko , Dane \ date = September 23 , 2015 . `` Ex-Bear William ' The Fridge ' Perry at center of family feud '' . Fox32Chicago.com . Retrieved 23 November 2015 . Jump up ^ http://www.charlotteobserver.com/latest-news/article9207224.html Jump up ^ http://www.foxsports.com/nfl/story/william-the-refrigerator-perry-auctioning-super-bowl-xx-20-ring-chicago-bears-size-25-072915 Jump up ^ https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/39088834_1985-chicago-bears-super-bowl-xx-championship-ri Jump up ^ http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/bears/post/_/id/4701670/report-william-refridgerator-perry-hospitalized-in-chicago External links ( edit ) Official website WWE Profile of William Perry 1981 Clemson Tigers football team -- consensus national champions Dan Benish Jeff Bryant Jeff Davis Bubba Diggs Andy Headen Donald Igwebuike Homer Jordan Terry Kinard Kevin Mack Chuck McSwain Rod McSwain William Perry Perry Tuttle Head coach : Danny Ford Assistant coaches : Curley Hallman Tom Harper Chuck Reedy Nelson Stokley 1983 College Football All - America Team consensus selections Offense QB Steve Young RB Mike Rozier RB Bo Jackson RB Greg Allen RB Napoleon McCallum WR Irving Fryar TE Gordon Hudson OL Bill Fralic OL Terry Long OL Dean Steinkuhler OL Doug Dawson C Tony Slaton Defense DL Rick Bryan DL Reggie White DL William Perry DL William Fuller LB Ricky Hunley LB Wilber Marshall LB Ron Rivera LB Jeff Leiding DB Russell Carter DB Jerry Gray DB Terry Hoage DB Don Rogers Special teams PK Luis Zendejas P Jack Weil 1985 NFL draft first - round selections Bruce Smith Bill Fralic Ray Childress Chris Doleman Duane Bickett Lomas Brown Ken Ruettgers Ron Holmes Kevin Allen Al Toon Richard Johnson Jim Lachey Eddie Brown Derrick Burroughs Ethan Horton Jerry Rice Kevin Brooks Freddie Joe Nunn George Adams Darryl Sims Jerry Gray William Perry Jessie Hester Alvin Toles Emanuel King Steve Sewell Lorenzo Hampton Trevor Matich Chicago Bears 1985 NFL draft selections William Perry Reggie Phillips Kevin Butler Thomas Sanders Jim Morrissey Chicago Bears Super Bowl XX champions 4 Steve Fuller 6 Kevin Butler 8 Maury Buford 9 Jim McMahon 18 Mike Tomczak 20 Thomas Sanders 21 Leslie Frazier 22 Dave Duerson 23 Shaun Gayle 24 Jeff Fisher 26 Matt Suhey 27 Mike Richardson 29 Dennis Gentry 31 Ken Taylor 33 Calvin Thomas 34 Walter Payton 45 Gary Fencik 48 Reggie Phillips 50 Mike Singletary 51 Jim Morrissey 52 Cliff Thrift 53 Dan Rains 54 Brian Cabral 55 Otis Wilson 57 Tom Thayer 58 Wilber Marshall 59 Ron Rivera 60 Tom Andrews 62 Mark Bortz 63 Jay Hilgenberg 70 Henry Waechter 71 Andy Frederick 72 William Perry 73 Mike Hartenstine 74 Jim Covert 75 Stefan Humphries 76 Steve McMichael 78 Keith Van Horne 79 Kurt Becker 80 Tim Wrightman 81 James Maness 82 Ken Margerum 83 Willie Gault 84 Brian Baschnagel 85 Dennis McKinnon 86 Brad Anderson 87 Emery Moorehead 88 Pat Dunsmore 89 Mitch Krenk 95 Richard Dent ( MVP ) 96 Keith Ortego 98 Tyrone Keys 99 Dan Hampton Head coach : Mike Ditka Coaches : Dale Haupt Ed Hughes Steve Kazor Jim LaRue Ted Plumb Johnny Roland Buddy Ryan Dick Stanfel WWE Hall of Fame Inductees 1990s Class of 1993 André the Giant Class of 1994 Arnold Skaaland Bobo Brazil Buddy Rogers Chief Jay Strongbow Freddie Blassie Gorilla Monsoon James Dudley Class of 1995 Antonino Rocca Ernie Ladd The Fabulous Moolah George Steele The Grand Wizard Ivan Putski Pedro Morales Class of 1996 Jimmy Snuka Johnny Rodz Killer Kowalski Lou Albano Mikel Scicluna Pat Patterson The Valiant Brothers ( Jimmy Valiant and Johnny Valiant ) Vincent J. 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when did refrigerator perry play for the bears
William Perry No. 72 , 90 , 95 Position : Defensive tackle , fullback Date of birth : ( 1962 - 12 - 16 ) December 16 , 1962 ( age 54 ) Place of birth : Aiken , South Carolina Height : 6 ft 2 in ( 1.88 m ) Weight : 350 lb ( 159 kg ) Career information High school : Aiken ( SC ) College : Clemson NFL Draft : 1985 / Round : 1 / Pick : 22 Career history Chicago Bears ( 1985 -- 1993 ) Philadelphia Eagles ( 1993 -- 1994 ) London Monarchs ( 1996 ) Career highlights and awards Inducted to the ( WWE ) Hall of Fame ( 2006 ) Super Bowl champion ( XX ) Consensus All - American ( 1983 ) Career NFL statistics Sacks : 29.5 Games : 138 Offensive TDs : 3 Player stats at NFL.com No. 72 , 90 , 95 Position : Defensive tackle , fullback Date of birth : ( 1962 - 12 - 16 ) December 16 , 1962 ( age 54 ) Place of birth : Aiken , South Carolina Height : 6 ft 2 in ( 1.88 m ) Weight : 350 lb ( 159 kg ) Career information High school : Aiken ( SC ) College : Clemson NFL Draft : 1985 / Round : 1 / Pick : 22 Career history Chicago Bears ( 1985 -- 1993 ) Philadelphia Eagles ( 1993 -- 1994 ) London Monarchs ( 1996 ) Chicago Bears ( 1985 -- 1993 ) Philadelphia Eagles ( 1993 -- 1994 ) London Monarchs ( 1996 ) Chicago Bears ( 1985 -- 1993 ) Philadelphia Eagles ( 1993 -- 1994 ) London Monarchs ( 1996 ) Career highlights and awards Inducted to the ( WWE ) Hall of Fame ( 2006 ) Super Bowl champion ( XX ) Consensus All - American ( 1983 ) Inducted to the ( WWE ) Hall of Fame ( 2006 ) Super Bowl champion ( XX ) Consensus All - American ( 1983 ) Inducted to the ( WWE ) Hall of Fame ( 2006 ) Super Bowl champion ( XX ) Consensus All - American ( 1983 ) Career NFL statistics Sacks : 29.5 Games : 138 Offensive TDs : 3 Player stats at NFL.com Sacks : 29.5 Games : 138 Offensive TDs : 3 Player stats at NFL.com Sacks : 29.5 Games : 138 Offensive TDs : 3 Player stats at NFL.com William Anthony Perry ( born December 16 , 1962 ) is a former American professional football player who was a defensive lineman in the National Football League ( NFL ) for ten seasons during the 1980s and 1990s . Perry played college football for Clemson University , and was recognized as an All - American . He was selected in the first round of the 1985 NFL Draft , and played professionally for the Chicago Bears and Philadelphia Eagles of the NFL . In reference to his imposing size , he was popularly known as `` The Refrigerator '' or , abbreviated , `` The Fridge . '' Perry also occasionally played at fullback at the goal line due to his size and power . Perry was born in Aiken , South Carolina . He has stated in an interview that `` Even when I was little , I was big '' ; by the time he was 11 years old , he weighed 200 pounds . Frequently ridiculed for his weight while growing up , Perry took advantage of his athleticism to silence his critics . He attended Aiken High School and played as a 295 - pound nose guard on the school 's football team and ran on its track team . During an exercise in which his coach instructed all of his fastest players to line up for a 100 - yard dash , Perry joined the group of running backs , wide receivers and defensive backs and eventually was timed as the 6th fastest runner on the entire team , with a time of 11.00 seconds flat . He was also able to run the 100 meters under 12 seconds , and competed in the shot put event , recording a top - throw of 16.44 m ( 53 ft 11 in ) . He could also execute 360 - degree dunks on regulation basketball hoops and perform complicated dives into the swimming pool . Perry 's athletic performances earned him a full - ride scholarship to attend Clemson University in Clemson , South Carolina , where he played for coach Danny Ford 's Clemson Tigers football team from 1981 to 1984 . He was a member of a national championship team in 1981 , and was recognized as a consensus first - team All - American as a junior in 1983 . As a freshman in 1981 , he earned his `` refrigerator '' nickname when a fellow player could barely squeeze into an elevator with Perry and their laundry which they were taking to be washed . The player , Ray Brown , said `` Man , you 're about as big as a refrigerator . '' In 1985 , he was selected in the first round of the 1985 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears ; he had been hand - picked by coach Mike Ditka . However , defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan , who had a highly acrimonious relationship with Ditka , called Perry a `` wasted draft - pick '' . Perry soon became a pawn in the political power struggle between Ditka and Ryan . Perry 's `` Refrigerator '' nickname followed him into the NFL and he quickly became a favorite of the Chicago Bears fans . Teammates called him `` Biscuit , '' as in `` one biscuit shy of 350 pounds . '' While Ryan refused to play Perry , Ditka decided to use Perry as a fullback when the team was near the opponents ' goal line or in fourth and short situations , either as a ball carrier or a lead blocker for star running back Walter Payton . Ditka stated the inspiration for using Perry as a fullback came to him during five - yard sprint exercises . During his rookie season , Perry rushed for two touchdowns and caught a pass for one . Perry even had the opportunity to run the ball during Super Bowl XX , as a nod to his popularity and contributions to the team 's success . The first time he got the ball , he was tackled for a one - yard loss while attempting to throw his first NFL pass on a halfback option play . The second time he got the ball , he scored a touchdown ( running over Patriots linebacker Larry McGrew in the process ) . About halfway through his rookie season , Ryan finally began to play Perry , who soon proved that he was a capable defensive lineman . His Super Bowl ring size is the largest of any professional football player in the history of the event . His ring size is 25 , while the ring size for the average adult male is between 10 and 12 . Perry went on to play for ten years in the NFL , retiring after the 1994 season . In his ten years as a pro , he regularly struggled with his weight , which hampered his performance at times . He played in 138 games , recording 29.5 sacks and five fumble recoveries , which he returned for a total of 71 yards . In his offensive career he ran five yards for two touchdowns , and had one reception for another touchdown . Perry later attempted a comeback , playing an unremarkable 1996 season with the London Monarchs of the World League of American Football ( later NFL Europa ) . ( hide ) This section has multiple issues . Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page . ( Learn how and when to remove these template messages ) This section of a biography of a living person needs additional citations for verification . Please help by adding reliable sources . Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately , especially if potentially libelous or harmful . ( November 2013 ) ( Learn how and when to remove this template message ) This section contains information of unclear or questionable importance or relevance to the article 's subject matter . Please help improve this section by clarifying or removing superfluous information . If importance can not be established , the section is likely to be moved to another article , pseudo-redirected , or removed . Find sources : `` William Perry '' American football -- news newspapers books scholar JSTOR ( November 2013 ) ( Learn how and when to remove this template message ) ( Learn how and when to remove this template message ) ( hide ) This section has multiple issues . Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page . ( Learn how and when to remove these template messages ) This section of a biography of a living person needs additional citations for verification . Please help by adding reliable sources . Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately , especially if potentially libelous or harmful . ( November 2013 ) ( Learn how and when to remove this template message ) This section contains information of unclear or questionable importance or relevance to the article 's subject matter . Please help improve this section by clarifying or removing superfluous information . If importance can not be established , the section is likely to be moved to another article , pseudo-redirected , or removed . Find sources : `` William Perry '' American football -- news newspapers books scholar JSTOR ( November 2013 ) ( Learn how and when to remove this template message ) ( Learn how and when to remove this template message ) This section of a biography of a living person needs additional citations for verification . Please help by adding reliable sources . Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately , especially if potentially libelous or harmful . ( November 2013 ) ( Learn how and when to remove this template message ) This section of a biography of a living person needs additional citations for verification . Please help by adding reliable sources . Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately , especially if potentially libelous or harmful . ( November 2013 ) ( Learn how and when to remove this template message ) This section contains information of unclear or questionable importance or relevance to the article 's subject matter . Please help improve this section by clarifying or removing superfluous information . If importance can not be established , the section is likely to be moved to another article , pseudo-redirected , or removed . Find sources : `` William Perry '' American football -- news newspapers books scholar JSTOR ( November 2013 ) ( Learn how and when to remove this template message ) This section contains information of unclear or questionable importance or relevance to the article 's subject matter . Please help improve this section by clarifying or removing superfluous information . If importance can not be established , the section is likely to be moved to another article , pseudo-redirected , or removed . Find sources : `` William Perry '' American football -- news newspapers books scholar JSTOR ( November 2013 ) ( Learn how and when to remove this template message ) In 2006 , he began marketing his own branded barbecue sauce . Also in 2006 , he turned down an offer to become Director of Football Operations for the Continental Indoor Football League 's Chicago Slaughter . During his popular tenure with the Bears , Perry participated in the recording of two rap records , both in 1985 , in addition to the team 's very popular `` Super Bowl Shuffle '' . Walter Payton and Perry recorded an anti-drug , pro-peace rap tune entitled `` Together '' which was written by four Evanston , Illinois teens . It was re-released in 1999 with part of the profits going to the Walter Payton Foundation . Perry participated in a World Wrestling Federation battle royal at WrestleMania 2 in Rosemont , Illinois in 1986 . In 2006 , he returned to the Chicago area to be inducted into the `` Celebrity Wing '' of the WWE Hall of Fame by John Cena . In 2000 , he was defeated by Bob Sapp in a toughman boxing competition on FX . In 2002 , he lost in the third round to 7 ft 7 in ( 2.3 m ) former NBA basketball player Manute Bol in a charity boxing match on the Fox Network 's Celebrity Boxing program . In 2003 , he appeared in Nathan 's Hot Dog Eating Contest as a `` celebrity contestant . '' He stopped eating 5 minutes into the competition . This was parodied in an episode of TV Funhouse from the November 11 , 2006 episode of Saturday Night Live in which Takeru Kobayashi plays a hot dog eating superhero . After Kobayashi saves the day by eating a lot of hot dogs , a cartoon William Perry makes an appearance saying `` Damn ! '' in Japanese . He participated in the 2006 Lingerie Bowl as the super sub . He made a guest appearance in the 1980s television show The A-Team . In the 21st episode of the 4th season ( The Trouble with Harry ) `` Fridge '' signs into the same hospital The A-Team is using to help their friend Harry recover . Throughout the episode , Perry only has a few lines -- including the funny : `` They 'll never catch him '' , referring to his NFL playing days -- but he gives out `` Bears '' caps in the final scene . B.A. Baracus and Hulk Hogan ( who guest starred in the episode as well ) react angrily when they do n't get a cap , but the large sized Perry is able to calm them down with his huge smile . In 2003 , he appeared in a TV movie on Comedy Central called Windy City Heat , opposite an aspiring actor named Perry Caravello , who is led to believe he is acting in a major motion picture . He also made a short appearance in the opening of According to Jim ( Season 8 , Episode 15 ) . He starred in a commercial in the 1980s with Jim McMahon , fellow Chicago Bears teammate , for Coke Classic and Coke . He appears on the Chef Tony infomercial endorsing My Rotisserie in a number of acted scenes where he plays poker with his friends , while singing the praises of the kitchen appliance . During Super Bowl XLIV , Perry joined other members of the 1985 Chicago Bears in resurrecting the Super Bowl Shuffle in a Boost Mobile commercial . In 2002 , Perry competed on the 2nd edition of Celebrity Boxing losing to NBA star Manute Bol by unanimous decision . He also made an appearance on an episode of the Comedy Central series , The Man Show . Popular rap trio The Fat Boys recorded a twelve - inch single titled `` Chillin ' with the Refrigerator '' released on Sutra Records . A novelty hit , `` Frig - O - Rator , '' was released in December 1985 on the Motown label by Roq - In ' Zoo and featured sound bites of Bears game plays . The following year The Fridge was yet again remembered in a rap song , this time by the obscure Los Angeles - based hip - hop group Hard Machine who released the single `` Refrigerator . '' Perry is one of several real people to be immortalized with a 3.75 in ( 9.5 cm ) G.I. Joe action figure of himself as The Fridge . The figure was offered in 1986 , the same year the Bears defeated the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl . In 2013 , Perry was named as both original ( as fullback ) and unlockable ( as defensive tackle ) All - Player Legend on Madden 25 , the only player to be named twice , and his career as a running back was only until 1990 . In June 2008 , he was diagnosed with Guillain -- Barré syndrome , a chronic inflammation disorder of the peripheral nerves . On April 22 , 2009 , Perry was hospitalized in South Carolina in serious condition from his Guillain -- Barré syndrome . Perry spent approximately a month in the hospital before being released . In June 2010 , it was reported that Perry suffered from hearing loss , but also that he was improving after his diagnosis of Guillain -- Barré syndrome . He had lost more than one hundred pounds ( 50 kg ) , but was , by this time , back up to 330 lb ( 150 kg ) . In February 2011 , ESPN ran a somber article about him , citing ongoing health and drinking problems , and a weight of 400 lb ( 180 kg ) . In January 2016 , Perry , weighing more than 425 pounds , checked himself into the hospital to receive treatment for diabetes . Now confined to a wheelchair , Perry revealed he had no feeling in his feet and is in danger of having his leg amputated . In April 2011 , Cliff Forrest , a 10 - year - old child , discovered Perry 's Super Bowl ring for sale . With help from his mother , he purchased it for $8,500 and returned the ring to Perry . In September 2015 , it was reported that Perry 's Super Bowl ring was auctioned off for more than $200,000 by the man Perry had sold it to several years earlier . As of October 29 , 2014 , Perry has been confined to his late father 's home . Michael Dean Perry , his younger brother and another former NFL defensive lineman is William 's assigned Guardian and Conservator for his affairs . July 30 , 2015 , Perry 's Super Bowl ring , the largest Super Bowl ring ever made , was auctioned off to an unknown bidder . As of September 23 , 2015 , Perry is living off a monthly social security disability check , and also gets some disability money from the NFL as he lives in an assisted living townhouse . Perry was hospitalized in Chicago with a leg infection following his return to Soldier Field January 3 , 2016 .
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