Athleticism and humility—with a touch of garlic

Posted Feb 8, 2010 by Bob D'Angelo

Updated Feb 8, 2010 at 06:16 PM

Memories of pro wrestler Jack Brisco, who died last week at age 68, remain vivid among those who knew and admired him. The Brisco family will be holding a private service on Thursday for the former NWA world heavyweight champion.

Undoubtedly, family members will speak of Brisco’s humility, his sense of humor, his willingness to work with young amateur wrestlers, his sense of fair play and rock-solid values.

They might even talk about his love for garlic pizza.

“Jack never believed his own publicity,” said Dotty Curtis, widow of longtime Jacksonvile promoter Don Curtis. “He was very humble, a credit to the business.”

Dotty Curtis said she was glad to be invited to the monthly luncheons for former wrestlers organized in the Tampa Bay area (usually at the Cricketer in New Port Richey), and noted that Brisco and Brian Blair “always made it a point” to pick up former announcer Gordon Solie, even after throat surgery deprived the gravelly voiced announcer of the ability to speak for long lengths of time.

She said her husband — who died in March 2008 — met Brisco shortly after taking over the Jacksonville promotion of the National Wrestling Alliance. Brisco — a talented amateur wrestler in his own right — was always ready to give tips and encouragement to local AAU wrestlers.

“Being an amateur wrestler himself, Don knew Jack’s capabilities and admired him,” Dotty said. “Jack had an ability to reach out to children and talk to them about doing the right things.

“What an impact he made in pro and amateur wrestling.”

And that love of garlic?

“We’d go to this place in Sarasota, the Broadway Bar,” Curtis said. “We introduced Jack to garlic pizza, you know, with raw garlic on it.

“The next night you could guarantee that no one would get close to him in the ring.”