Luther Lindsay

Luther Jacob Goodall (December 30, 1924 – February 21, 1972) was an American professional football player and wrestler, known by his ringname Luther Lindsay or Lindsey, who competed throughout the United States with the National Wrestling Alliance as well as international promotions such as All Japan Pro Wrestling, Joint Promotions and Stampede Wrestling.

One of the first African American wrestlers to become a major star, he was extremely popular in the Pacific Northwest and Mid-Atlantic territory.

A frequent rival and tag team partner of Shag Thomas, he also teamed with Bearcat Wright, Nick Bockwinkel, Pepper Gomez and was involved in feuds with "Iron" Mike Dibiase, Mad Dog Vachon, Beauregarde, Moondog Mayne, Tony Borne and Pat Patterson and The Hangman.

Luther Goodall was born on a farm outside Norfolk, Virginia, on December 30, 1924.

He moved to Sedalia but later resided in Gibsonville, North Carolina, and later played college football for Norfolk State and nearby Hampton Institute where he was also a CIAA wrestling champion.

Although excelling in athletics as an All-American Negro tackle-guard, state segregation laws prohibited him from playing against white athletes.

He played two years of professional football in Hamilton and Victoria for the Canadian Football League.

For much of the early 1950s and '60s, Lindsay was billed as the U.S. Colored (or Negro) Heavyweight Champion and took part in the first interracial professional wrestling matches held in the United States.

Lindsey began wrestling professionally making his debut in 1950 or 1951.

During the late 1950s, he became the first African-American south of Washington, D.C., to compete in a wrestling event when he faced Ron Wright in Kingsport, Tennessee.

Although the National Guard was brought in amid fears of rioting, the crowd unexpectedly favored Lindsay against Wright.

As a result of Lindsay's success in the area, other African-American wrestlers were also brought into the area such as Bearcat Wright and Bobcat Brown.

Taking the surname of his wife, Gertrude Lindsey, his earliest recorded match was against Al Tucker in Chicago, Illinois, for promoter Leonard Schwartz on November 21, 1951.

Between 1953 and 1956, he faced NWA World Heavyweight Champion Lou Thesz in a series of matches.

Although largely resulting in time limit draws, he was the first African-American to make a challenge to the title and earned Thesz's respect during these bouts publicly praising his wrestling ability.

He was considered one of the top submission wrestlers of his day working with Don Leo Jonathan and Stu Hart.

Lindsay was one of the few men who bested him in the infamous "Hart Dungeon" and later became one of Hart's best friends.

Hart reportedly carried a picture of him in his wallet until his death.

He was held in high regard by his fellow wrestlers such as Lou Thesz, J. J. Dillon, Rip Hawk and Les Thatcher.

As early as 1953, Lindsay was billed as the U.S. Colored or Negro Heavyweight Champion.

He was one of the few African-Americans in professional wrestling and, in accordance with state segregation laws at the time, he was only allowed to travel with and compete against other African-American wrestlers during his early career.

One of his most frequent opponents was Shag Thomas who he later claimed knew better than any other opponent.

In early 1953, he appeared in Washington where he faced George Dusette, the Masked Marvel, Carl Engstrom, Walter Kameroff, Jack Kiser, Bronko Lubich, Axel Cadier.

He was involved in a battle royal which included Kiser, Lubich, Cadier, Bud Rattal and Paul DeGalles in Yakima on May 12.

On July 31, he faced Lou Thesz for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship in Tacoma and the two fought to a time limit draw.

This was the first of several meetings between the two champions and the first time the title was defended against an African-American opponent.

A rematch one week later in Tacoma also resulted in a draw.

On October 10, Lindsay defeated Bronko Nagurski in a best 2-of-3 match during the main event at the Tacoma Armory.

Nagurski had pinned him after a series of flying tackles and a full body press, however Lindsay recovered to score the second fall after making Nagurski submit to a neckbreaker.

Lindsay was eventually awarded the match when referee Freddie Steele disqualified Nagurski after refusing to break a hold.

According to promoter Paavo Ketonen, the winner was to receive a title shot against Lou Thesz for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship.

He was one of several wrestlers who challenged the Seattle Ramblers to a football game known as the "Muscle Bowl" at Lincoln Bowl on October 11.

The event was attended by 7,265 fans and was successful in raising as much as $5,000 for the Associated Boys' Clubs of the Tacoma-area.

Among the wrestlers who participated, a half-dozen were former collegiate football stars including Lindsay, Pepper Gomez and Frank Stojack.

Bronko Nagurski also participated in a dozen plays.

Other wrestlers included Ivan Kameroff, the Masked Marvel, Dr. John Gallagher, The Ram, Abe Yourist and Glen Detton.

Despite the addition of several players loaned by the Seattle Ramblers, most notably Mel Light, they lost the game 20–6.

Lindsay injured his right pinky finger during the game, however the wrestlers later celebrated at Steve's Restaurant.

On October 16, he took part in a 7-man battle royal involving Don Kindred, Bronko Nagurski, Dale Kiser, "Red" Vagnone, Jack O'Reilly, Jack Kiser and the eventual winner Carl Engstrom.

Lindsay was the fifth man eliminated in the battle royal and, that same night, fought Jack O'Reilly to a draw.