William Anthony “The Refrigerator” Perry was an American football defensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL). Perry was born on December 16, 1962, to Inez Perry and Hollie Perry in Aiken, South Carolina. He attended Aiken High School in Aiken, South Carolina where he played defensive tackle on the school football and ran for the school track team. Perry graduated from Aiken High School in 1981. After high school, Perry attended Clemson University in Clemson, South Carolina where he played for the Clemson Tigers Football Team.
During his freshman season at Clemson, Perry gained the nickname the “Refrigerator” after an incident with a fellow player who could barely squeeze into the elevator. His Clemson teammate said to him “Man you’re about as big as a refrigerator.” During the 1981 season, the Clemson Tigers had a 12-0 record culminating in their first national championship in the Orange Bowl against the Nebraska Cornhuskers.
During his college career, Perry was recognized three times as an All-American. He was also selected to the Associated Press third team along with getting first team honors. Perry declared himself eligible for the 1985 NFL Draft and was selected by the Chicago Bears 22nd overall in the 1st round. Perry’s rookie season in the NFL would be the best season of his career. He helped the Bears to a successful 15-1 regular season record. They reached Super Bowl 20 and defeated the New England (Massachusetts) Patriots. Perry continued to play for the Chicago Bears until the 1993 NFL season ended. In 1994 he signed with the Philadelphia (Pennsylvania) Eagles but retired at the end of the season. In 1996, Perry attempted a football comeback, playing for the London Monarchs of the World League of American Football (later NFL Europa).
Beyond football, Perry also has an entertainment career. During the Bears 1985 NFL season, he appeared on the team Hip-Hop song “Super Bowl Shuffle.” The song peaked at number 41 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and earned a Grammy nomination for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals at the 29th Annual Grammy Awards in 1987. In 1986, Perry made an appearance on the then World Wrestling Federation (WWF) at WrestleMania 2 “battle royal” match in Rosemont, Illinois. Twenty years after this match, Perry was introduced in the WWE Hall of Fame by wrestler John Cena in 2006. In 1987, a toy action figure of Perry was produced by Hasbro for their G.I. Joe toy line. Perry also appeared on television shows including The A-Team, The Man Show, and Celebrity Boxing.
Despite his career success, Perry has had several health issues. In 2007, he was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome, a chronic inflammatory disorder of the peripheral nerves. Perry also suffered from weight problems most of his life which led to his diabetes. Perry married Sherry Ann Broadwater in 1982, but the couple divorced in 2004. Perry remarried Valerie Perry in 2007. Perry also has four children.
