Before pursuing a career in professional wrestling , Hennig became the Minnesota State High School Heavyweight Champion from Robbinsdale , Minnesota in 1954 . He was awarded a scholarship from the University of Minnesota to wrestle and play football but had to quit due to the priorities of family and raising children . He had five children , including professional wrestler Curt Hennig . Curt died on February 10 , 2003 of an acute cocaine intoxication . After the highly publicized death of Chris Benoit , Hennig shared a few words with '' USA Today '' regarding premature deaths in professional wrestling
highly publicized death
Chris Benoit double-murder and suicide
Larry Hennig