Gangrel's Injuries
A neck injury and his parents' concern kept David Heath from participating in athletics at Deerfield Beach High School.
I was playing optimist football in the championship game and was recovering a fumble,'' said Heath, also known as WWF superstar Gangrel.
I started running with the ball, and when someone was tackling me [they had the smaller face masks then] the face mask caught me between my helmet and shoulder pads.
Heath suffered a broken neck.
"Doctors told me I wouldn´t be walking at one point because I would have so much arthritis that the pain would be unbearable," he said, "but my neck is stronger than ever now. I have yet to have any type of neck problems."
A former Davie resident, Heath is married to international wrestling star Luna Vachon. He credits his wife -- who hails from a family rich in wrestling tradition -- for helping him develop. The couple resides just outside Tampa.
His parents, David and Shirley, live in Pompano Beach. They will attend WWF SmackDown! and Sunday Night Heat tapings on July 4 at National Car Rental Center in Sunrise.