Jim Wilson (wrestler)

American football player and wrestler (1942–2009)

James Milligan Wilson (June 12, 1942 – February 2, 2009) was a professional American football offensive lineman and a professional wrestler. During his time as a wrestler, he attempted to start a labor union for wrestlers, and continued his efforts after he left the sport. He is the co author of a book called CHOKEHOLD: Pro Wrestling's Real Mayhem Outside the Ring which exposed certain unfair labor practices by various promoters, most of them National Wrestling Alliance members, but also including Vince McMahon and WWE.

He had been a good athlete from his early years, overcoming a spinal curvature problem and was offered a football scholarship to the University of Georgia. Although recruited from high school as a fullback, because of his size he played both ways as an offensive and defensive lineman and was named All American for his contributions as an offensive tackle during his time there; he was coach Vince Dooley's first All American. Coach Dooley would comment at Wilson's funeral service that had he known of his accomplishments as a high school fullback, he would have handed Wilson the ball as well. In 1964, he was drafted by the then Boston Patriots of the American Football League and the San Francisco 49ers of the established National Football League; he signed with the 49ers. He was also voted into the 1965 All Rookie team. In 1984, he also appeared on 20/20, speaking out against the wrestling industry. In addition, in 2007, he attempted to convince the United States Congress to hold hearings on the wrestling industry. and the couple had six children together. Outside of professional wrestling, he worked in real estate for twenty years.