WWE star Del “The Patriot” Wilkes has died. He was 59.
WWE confirmed the news on Thursday, sharing a brief obituary online.
According to the company, Wilkes was a college football star before entering the world of wrestling at the University of South Carolina. While playing at the school, he was voted a consensus All-American.
The star reportedly died of a heart attack, per Wrestling News, citing a Facebook post from his mother.
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In 1997, Wilkes joined the WWE as “The Patriot.” While wresting for the organization, he was known for his intense rivalry with the tag team known as The Hart Foundation.
Del ‘The Patriot’ Wilkes has died at the age of 59.
(WWE)
WWE said that one of his standout moments was a “memorable match against Bret Hart for the WWE Championship at In Your House: Ground Zero just two months after his WWE debut.”
“WWE extends its condolences to Wilkes’ family and friends,” they concluded.