TMZ reported that the athlete's son confirmed the news, saying, "Around a month ago, my father was diagnosed with a severe case of Pneumonia. He fought extremely hard and clinically was making progress. Unfortunately, on Monday night his heart had enough and it was his time."
Around a month ago my father was diagnosed with a severe case of Pneumonia. He fought extremely hard and clinically was making progress. Unfortunately, on Monday night his heart had enough and it was his time. pic.twitter.com/hJYjumvxjH
— Big Van Vader (@itsvadertime) June 20, 2018
The WWE also confirmed the news.
WWE is saddened to learn that Leon White, better known to WWE audiences as Vader, passed away Monday night at the age of 63. https://t.co/UNIbdS680I
— WWE (@WWE) June 20, 2018
Vader, whose real name is Leon White, started out in national sports in 1978 when he was drafted by the Rams. He played in Super Bowl XIV against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He retired from the NFL in the mid-1980s due to injury and joined the WWE roster in 1996. He also had a recurring guest role on the ABC sitcom “Boy Meets World” during that time.
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