Leon Allen White, who rose to prominence under the ring name Big Van Vader, was a professional athlete defined by his transition from American football to professional wrestling. Born in Lynwood in 1955, the University of Colorado graduate achieved fame for his physical stature and unexpected agility, ultimately becoming a 12-time world champion throughout his career in Japan and the United States.
Football Beginnings and NFL Career
White attended Bell High School in California, where he participated in track and field, wrestling, and football. He later played at the University of Colorado Boulder, earning second-team All-American honors as an offensive guard. In the 1978 NFL draft, the Los Angeles Rams selected him in the third round. While he earned an NFC championship ring during the team's Super Bowl run, his tenure was impacted by knee injuries, including a ruptured patella that forced his retirement.
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After a chance meeting at a gym, White entered professional wrestling, training under Brad Rheingans. His early career included stints as Baby Bull and Bull Power in the American Wrestling Association and the Catch Wrestling Association. In 1987, he captured the CWA World Heavyweight Championship by defeating Otto Wanz in Denver, Colorado. He continued to compete in European circuits, winning tournaments in Austria and Germany before signing with major international promotions.
Rise to International Stardom
Upon joining New Japan Pro-Wrestling in 1987, White adopted the moniker Big Van Vader. Based on a Japanese folklore warrior, the character featured a distinctive black mask. He gained notoriety after defeating Antonio Inoki, a victory that incited a riot at the Sumo Hall venue. Throughout the 1990s, he performed for multiple global organizations, including All Japan Pro Wrestling, World Championship Wrestling, the WWE, and Pro Wrestling Noah.
Legacy and Accolades
Vader gained distinction as a super-heavyweight performer capable of executing technical moves, specifically his diving moonsault. In 1993, Wrestling Observer Newsletter readers recognized this move as the best in the industry. His championship history included three reigns with the WCW World Heavyweight Championship and two with the Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship. He was inducted into the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame in 1996 and the WWE Hall of Fame in 2022.
Fast facts
- Born: 14 May 1955, Lynwood
- Died: 18 June 2018, Denver
- Education: University of Colorado Boulder
- NFL Draft: 1978, Los Angeles Rams
- Notable Ring Name: Big Van Vader
- WWE Hall of Fame Induction: 2022
- Primary Professional Field: Professional Wrestling
Questions readers ask
Did Big Van Vader play in the NFL?
Yes, he was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in 1978 as a center, though his career was cut short by a knee injury.
What was Vader's signature wrestling move?
He was well known for the diving moonsault, which was voted the best wrestling maneuver of 1993 by the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
