Darren Drozdov, a former professional wrestler, dies at the age of 54

Darren Drozdov, a former NFL football player pursuing a career in pro wrestling that was cut short after an in-ring accident that left him paralyzed, died on Friday. He was 54.

His death, at AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center in Pomona, NJ, was confirmed by his sister, Rommi Drozdov, and his agent and longtime friend, Cliff Stein. A cause of death was not immediately clear.

Before Mr. Drozdov made his mark on the wrestling world, he first came to the public’s attention as an N.FL. player after throwing up on a soccer ball during a Monday night game, Mr. Stein said. Some reports indicate that he puked more than once.

Mr. Drozdov grew up in Mays Landing, NJ, where he spent most of his adult life. He attended the University of Maryland, where he played football, and graduated in 1992 with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.

After graduation, he was signed as an undrafted rookie for the Denver Broncos. Mr. Drozdov, who was six feet tall and weighed 280 pounds when he played football, also had stints with the New York Jets and Philadelphia Eagles.

While playing for the Montreal Alouettes, a professional Canadian soccer team, he began thinking about a career in professional wrestling, Mr. Stein said. It was something that had always been in the back of his mind.

“His personality was so colorful, and the mohawks and the tattoos and the way he talked, everyone would say, ‘You’re a wrestler,'” Mr. Stein recalled. “He would call you ‘brother’. He would pick you up. His presence was so great.”

Mr. Drozdov, who was known as Droz and Puke, was eventually accepted into a WWE training program. After that, he was put in more matches. He joined the Road Warriors, a popular tag team, and became known for his “Droz’s World” vignettes, according to the WWE.

Early in his career, he was in a WWE training program with other notable wrestlers such as Matt Bloom, known as Prince Albert, and Dwayne Johnson, the actor known as the Rock, who mourned the death of Mr. Drozdov. on Twitter.

“We struggled together with many cards,” Mr. Johnson wrote. “Such a great guy. Great personality and great wrestling talent. We always talked about football and fishing. Sending love, strength, mana and light to his family. RIP brother.”

During a 1999 wrestling match at the Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, NY, Mr. Drozdov suffered an injury that left him paralyzed, ending his wrestling career.

He broke two checkers in his neck in a botched stunt after being thrown to the mat by his opponent, D’Lo Brown, landing on his head instead of his back.

Mr. Drozdov was born in Wilmington, Del., on April 7, 1969, the son of Olaf and Cyndi Drozdov. His mother worked in real estate and owned three laundromats, and his father was a professor at Atlantic Cape Community College in New Jersey.

Survivors include Mr. Drozdov’s parents and his sister. A marriage in 1999 ended in divorce in 2001.

Mr. Drozdov’s sister helped care for him after he was injured. He spent much of his time encouraging her four children, she said.

“He loved watching them grow up,” Ms. Drozdov said. “He went to all the football games, football, tennis, everything. You could always find him on a sideline where my kids participate.

He also continued to hunt, one of the many outdoor sports he enjoyed.

Kevin Plank, Mr. Drozdov’s friend and the founder of the sportswear company Under Armour, facilitated the design of a wheelchair that was essentially a “tank with wheels,” which allowed Mr. Drozdov to move through the woods, Mr. Stein said.

The relatives of Mr. Drozdov described him as unrelentingly positive in the aftermath of the wrestling accident.

In a statementthey quoted his own words.

“There will always be another day,” he said. “Just because I’m paralyzed and stuck in a wheelchair doesn’t mean my life is over. I have learned to live again and my life is far from over.”