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Monday, March 12, 2007
Cowboy Bill Watts recalls "Big Cat"  
 
I e-mailed several of the legends of professional wrestling this morning, seeking recollections of the late Ernie "Big Cat" Ladd.  
 
Ladd passed away late Saturday night after battling cancer for several years.
 
Mid-South Wrestling founder Cowboy Bill Watts responded with a hasty and lengthy e-mail reply. Watts wrote that he'd been informed of Ladd's death by Jim Ross, another notable name from the wrestling circuit.  
 
"He taught me so much about 'being black,'" Watts wrote. "As he explained, no white man can understand, because we cannot walk in a black man's shoes. We shared so much together.
 
"He told me of growing up in the heart of 'racism.' Of his father in jail in Baton Rouge. Of the rules in Louisiana and in Texas -- in certain communities of no blacks after a certain time of day. So many horrible racist things that this giant of a man had to deal with. And I got to see him 'rise above them'. I was there the day Lyndon Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and in the dressing room for wrestling matches in Baltimore, when my tag team partner made a complete a$$ of himself as he addressed Ernie racially -- in anger -- in front of everyone. Ernie did not 'knock him out' because he was a 'bigger man' inside too. And knew it would only inflame things more.
 
"Few there 'understood' this -- why Ernie was not retaliating there and then. That was a very tense time in America. That same time in Washington DC where riots and burning were happening."
 
Watts noted that Ladd was the headliner in his wrestling company and later became his booker -- setting up and arranging matches. he said that both had religious awakenings in 1984.
 
 
 
Watts also wrote about the powerful influence that that Ladd's wife Ros played in his life.  
 
"I remember, when Ali fought Leon Spinks for the title in the Superdome, Ernie and I (and Ros) attended. I was taking he and Ros to dinner -- I had a rented car, a Lincoln -- and Ernie got in the back seat with Ros.
"I said, "Big fella -- Why don't you sit up front here with me, there is so much more room in the front seat" Sitting back there with Ros, he said, "Ros, I told you when we met in college, that if you married me, one day I would have us a big, fat, white chauffeur!" "Well, we have one now!"
 
Watts said that he'd talked to Ladd recently about his illness. The conversation took a light turn.  
 
"Ernie, I am afraid the Lord will call you home before He does me," Watts said. "And I'm concerned, because the way you eat, there may not be enough food left in Heaven for a banquet when I get there!"
 
Watts said that Ladd took him to Grambling and told him how tough it was there.  
 
"How Eddie Robinson drove them and worked them so hard," Watts wrote. "Of the primitive and harsh conditions. They did not have 'nice dormitory's to live in either then."
 
Watts met Robinson through Ladd and grew to respect the legendary coach.  
 
"Eddie Robinson's efforts were HUGE for 'breaking the barrier' for black athletes in football," Watts wrote. "I can still hear Ernie's stories about Tank Younger, and others. -- and their struggles.
 
"Sports were an important factor in race -- because racial discrimination starts as 'fear' and 'what you do not know' about the race you hate so, to get to know black athletes was my first 'personal exposure to blacks' on a personal basis."
 
The 6-9 Ladd originally came to Grambling to play basketball.  
 
"But Eddie saw him, and walked along side of him and said, "Big Red (his nickname), you look hungry. Here are the keys to the kitchen. If you get too hungry, fix yourself a sandwich.'" Watts wrote. "Ernie filled out to 315 pounds and the rest is history."
 
Watts concluded his e-mail this way.  
 
"Heaven is rejoicing for Ernie Ladd coming home to Heaven's rest. I know Ros and his family and friends are mourning -- as am I -- But also smiling and thanking God that He chose Ernie Ladd to become 'a child of God in Christ Jesus' I can still hear his voice when I would call him -- and he would answer, "Jesus loves you!"