Delbert Alexander "Del" Wilkes, Jr. was born on December 21, 1961 in Columbia, South Carolina. Growing up, he had a passion for sports, particularly football. Wilkes attended the University of Southern California where he played as a defensive tackle for the USC Trojans. It was during his time at USC that Wilkes discovered his love for professional wrestling.
After graduating from USC, Wilkes decided to pursue a career in professional wrestling. He began training and soon adopted the ring name "The Patriot." He quickly gained popularity for his patriotic gimmick and high-energy in-ring performances.
The Patriot wrestled for several promotions throughout his career, including the American Wrestling Association, Global Wrestling Federation, World Wrestling Federation, All Japan Pro Wrestling, and World Championship Wrestling. He became known for his intense rivalries and memorable matches, most notably his feud with wrestling legend Bret Hart.
Outside of the ring, Wilkes was a devoted husband to his wife Cathy Wilkes. The couple shared a strong bond and supported each other throughout Wilkes' wrestling career.
Despite his success in the wrestling world, Wilkes faced personal struggles, including battles with addiction and injuries. However, he always persevered and continued to entertain fans with his incredible performances.
Del Wilkes will always be remembered as a trailblazer in the world of professional wrestling. His dedication to his craft and passion for entertaining audiences cemented his status as a wrestling icon. Though his career was filled with ups and downs, his impact on the sport will never be forgotten.
Delbert Alexander "Del" Wilkes, Jr., The Patriot, will forever be immortalized in the hearts of wrestling fans around the world.
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