Steele-ing The Spotlight

Burney thinks that it is so cool that Madison Heights Madison High School has named its football field in honor of former pro wrestler George 'The Animal' Steele aka Jim Myers.

Back in the day, Myers attended Madison as a student and then eventually went on to head the wrestling and football programs at the school throughout the 1970s and early 1980s. On the wrestling mat, he took the Eagles to a state title. On the football field, he coached future NFL player and Detroit Lions offensive lineman Ken Dallafior.

Then he became a WWF superstar, battling the likes of Hulk Hogan and Randy 'The Macho Man' Savage while crafting an intriguing persona in the world of pro grappling as a lunatic that ate ring-posts. Brilliantly, he parlayed his stature in the WWF to an acting career in Hollywood, appearing in the 1994 hit movie Ed Wood starring Johnny Depp.

Myers took his wrestling moniker from a mentor of his, the real George Steele, who coached prep basketball and football in Warren for over 40 years.

After earning all-state honors on the gridiron in high school at Madison, Myers accepted a college scholarship to play in the Big 10 at Michigan State. Although his football career was cut short as a result of an injury, he fell in love with the idea of being a coach and a teacher and went on to get his degree from Central Michigan.

So, the next time you're at a football game at Madison HS aka George the Animal field aka Jim Myers field, give this local pop culture his due props and even if just for a second or two, stick your tongue out – a George the Animal trademark in the ring - as you are walking through the gate.