"Rowdy" Roddy Piper

Of course, my next OVERCOMING THE ODDS article is on the one and only Hot Rod "Rowdy" Roddy Piper (R.I.P.).  Many people would think I would write an article just because he's a Wrestler, but Rowdy Roddy Piper was another man who Overcame the Odds like no other.  Born Roderick Toombs Saskatchewan, Piper had a troubled youth and overcame various conflicts.  At one point during his childhood he even lived on an Indian Reservation in the freezing cold.  Piper had severe problems at school, both academically and personally, and also problems at home.  He admits to fighting with his father which led him to leave home at age 13 and go from living on the streets and staying in youth hostels.  Piper admitted in a WWE Documentary that "living on the streets made him more compassionate and less judgmental of people."  Somewhere along the time of his teen years, he found a knack for playing the bagpipes, which he admitted helped him escape in times of trouble.  After picking up small jobs at local gyms, Piper became interested in Professional Wrestling and the Pros took him under their wings but not without severe initiation.  In the 1970's, Pro Wrestling was a very protective business and breaking into it was extremely challenging.  Piper paid his dues wrestling in the Undercard in Events all over North America.  He made his name in the Portland, Oregon Wrestling Territory of the NWA (National Wrestling Alliance).  He would then find similar fame in the Southern territories in Georgia and the Carolinas (Crockett Promotions).  Right at this time, Vince McMahon Jr. had the idea of expanding his late father's Northeastern Territory WWE to become a Nationwide Phenomenon.  Piper was chosen to come on board and the rest they say is history.  He headlined the First Wrestlemania with Hulk Hogan and Mr. T and became one of the most recognizable names in Sports Entertainment and in Pop Culture.  At the time MTV was collaborating with WWE and Rowdy Roddy Piper was calling out stars like Cyndi Lauper.  Piper even ventured into movies and starred in John Carpenter's 1988 Cult Classic They Live.  The character he played, Nada, was very identifiable for him.  Nada was a Drifter who had left home at 13 and went from town to town looking for work only to stumble upon a secret that most of Humanity was unaware of at the time.  There's one point in the movie where Piper's character Nada remembers the days when his father would preach him the Gospel, Get Drunk, beat him and try to cut him with a razor blad.  Referring to the bad guys in the film, Nada says "I got news for 'hem..There's gonna be hell to pay. 'Cause I ain't daddy's little boy anymore."

Of course, just because Roddy Piper would Overcome the Odds of poverty through a career in Wrestling and movies didnt mean there wouldn't be more obstacles to overcome.  In the early 2000's, Roddy Piper was involved in a Sever Car Accident that nearly killed him and injured him severely.  Eventually, he would recover and would return to the ring on a limited basis.  In 2006, Piper was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphona and underwent radiation therapy.  It was a rough process but Piper fought it the best he could.  By 2015, he claimed he was cancer free.  Unfortunately, Piper died in his sleep of heart failure on July 31, 2015 at his home in LA.  Even though he lived a relatively short life, "Rowdy" Roddy Piper was living proof that one could overcome the odds their circumstances.  He had a rough childhood so he left home at the tender age of 13 and fought poverty and living on the streets.  Roddy Piper excelled in a profession that was not only hard on the body bur hard to break into.  He proved he had Crossover Appeal as John Carpenter's They Live is still praised today.  Piper overcame the odds of a severe car accident and cancer.  The Hot Rod "Rowdy" Roddy Piper, My Friends there will never be Another!!  R.I.P.  Just to mention UFC Fighter Ronda Rousey dedicated the bout that she won tonight in memory of Piper.  Now she's Rowdy Too!!!

Attached is my Video Tribute to Piper!!! Enjoy!!!

https://video-atl1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hvideo-xtp1/v/t42.1790-2/11795687_10101227387617599_1681952582_n.mp4?efg=eyJybHIiOjMwMiwicmxhIjo1MTJ9&rl=302&vabr=168&oh=af279eaf49baadbc651250d949fe439d&oe=55BD6252