Read Online Ted DiBiase by Terry Funk, Ted DiBiase, Jim J.R. Ross - Free Book Online Page B

shave him. I even tried joking with him a few days before Thanksgiving. I said, “Grandpa, you need to get out of this dang hospital bed. It’s almost Turkey Day. There is going to be lots of food, and your favorite, pumpkin pie.”
    Grandpa looked at me and in a matter-of-fact way, which sent a chill down my spine, said, “Teddy, in a couple of more days I am going to be in the cemetery with your dad.” Two days later Grandpa died. He was eighty-nine. It was a sad holiday season.
    I put all my energy into football. That summer, I hit the weights, ran, and worked out hard. I was focused and reenergized. I had an outstanding summer practice and was fully prepared to have the season of my life. I was going to get a college football scholarship.
    My determination to succeed and my skills on and off the field caused some jealousy among teammates and fellow classmates. As a lark, I was coerced by my friends to run for senior class president. After entering the race, I began to take it more seriously. With the jocks by my side, I was victorious.
    I tried to be the leader on the team and I often challenged the otherplayers. Mitch Plough and some of my other teammates apparently didn’t like my aggressiveness. Now that the newcomer was a standout on the football field and the senior class president, rumors started circulating: apparently Mitch and some others were talking behind my back. One day, I walked right up to him and said, “Look, if you have a problem with me, here I am. If you have something to say to me, say it to my face, or just shut up.” Mitch quickly backed down, and we would later become friends.
    On the football field, my senior season was outstanding. Now at six-four and 225 pounds, I was blowing people off the line left and right, and was a terror on the defensive side of the ball. In the end, all my hard work paid off. I was personally recognized for my football accomplishments: First Team, All-Conference Offensive and Defensive Tackle; First Team, All-State Defensive Tackle; and the first Willcox football player invited to play in the All-State high school football game.
    After football season, I focused on my studies and waited for track season to start so I could stay in shape. During Christmas break, I went to Los Angeles to spend the holidays with Ted, Mom, and John.
    When classes started again in January, I was determined to work out harder than ever before. I believed that I had a good enough senior year in football to receive a college scholarship. And I was right.
    One day, while I was in government class, trying to stay awake, I hid behind my friend Kathy Lindsey and tried to absorb the lecture. All of a sudden I heard over the loudspeaker, “Ted DiBiase, please report to the main office immediately.” Kathy turned around in concern and said, “What did you do?” I didn’t have a clue.
    As I opened the door to the principal’s office, he energetically said, “Ted, please come in. There are some people here who are really interested in talking to you.” I introduced myself to three football coaches from the University of Arizona. After a few minutes of casual chit-chat, where they spoke highly of my football talents, one of the coaches said, “Ted, I have been sent here to ask you a question: Would you like to accept a full scholarship to play football at the University of Arizona?”
    To say I was excited would be an understatement. I couldn’t believe it. Without hesitation I accepted. I signed a conference letter of intent—meaningI couldn’t sign with any other team in the WAC (Western Athletic Conference). The press was there and the next day my picture was on the front page of the local paper.
    As I left the principal’s office and headed back to class, I was on cloud nine. I couldn’t wait to tell all my family and friends. I thought it was poetic justice that the class I got called out of was a class of my