10 Things WWE Fans Should Know About Dusty Rhodes' Life Outside Wrestling

Dusty Rhodes was aptly known as "The American Dream" because anyone aspiring to become a professional wrestler would dream of having the career he built. His in-ring legacy spans nearly five decades, from joining Big Time Wrestling to working as an NXT trainer. Between those moments are stints in the NWA, WCW, PWF, ECW, and WWE. He went on to win every conceivable title while entertaining fans with his unbridled charisma.

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His imprint in the industry will be forever indelible, as proven by his induction to the WCW, Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Professional Wrestling, and WWE Halls of Fame. He also imparted his wisdom to household names like Ric Flair, William Regal, Becky Lynch, Bayley, Sheamus, Kevin Owens, Seth Rollins, and Roman Reigns, to name a few. But as colorful as his wrestling influence was, his life outside it was just as vibrant. Some aspects of his life beyond the squared circle lent inspiration to the larger-than-life character who remains a benchmark for succeeding generations of sports entertainers. Here are exciting tidbits about Virgil Riley Runnels Jr. beyond the polka-dot outfits and the "Hard Times" promo.

10 Grew Up In Eastern Austin, Texas

In his autobiography Dusty: Reflections of Wrestling's American Dream, Rhodes described Texas as a "totally different country." He also compared the eastern side of his hometown Austin to East Los Angeles because he grew up alongside Mexican and African Americans. Old-school houses and cars propped up in cinder blocks with no wheels adorned his neighborhood.

He grew up in 1619 Willow Street with his father, Virgil Sr., his mother, Katherine, and siblings Larry and Connie. Rhodes was the eldest of three children and was born slightly over a month after World War 2 officially ended.

9 Got His Nickname From The Roads He Grew Up With

His father called him "Dusty" because the streets in their neighborhood were dust-filled. In his recollection, it wasn't until his late teenage years that the roads became paved.

Despite that inconvenience, he would have some simple daily joys like going for a Dixie Cup ice cream, a Moon Pie, or an RC Cola in a nearby corner store.

8 Dad Was Indeed A Plumber

While he would incorporate the "son of a plumber" phrase into his gimmicks, Rhodes' father did fix pipes for a living. But as he described, he wasn't a plumber who made $12 to $14 hourly. Instead, Virgil Sr. earned $3.50 to $4 per hour, working from six in the morning to five in the afternoon. Aside from working all weekdays, he also took extra jobs on weekends to make ends meet.

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Virgil Jr. called his father a "man's man" because he did what he could to provide for them. Meanwhile, Virgil Sr. was from Oklahoma with Choctaw Indian heritage. He was also a fearless man with quite a colorful language but of the censored kind.

7 Mother Was Of German Descent

Dusty's mother, Katherine, came from Germantown. However, he did not share in his autobiography whether it's the one in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, or Tennessee. But her mother does have German roots, and he described her as "his biggest fan."

Katherine was a housewife, ensuring things were ticking along at home.

6 Neighbors With Legendary Singer Alfonso Ramos

One of his fondest childhood memories was going down the block to listen to Alfonso Ramos' rehearsals with his band, which consists of his brothers. Ramos became a legend among Tejano music fans, known as "El Mero Leon de la Sierra." He was inducted into the Tejano Music Awards Hall of Fame in 1998 and the Tejano R.O.O.T.S. Hall of Fame in 2002.

Rhodes' affinity with Mexican Americans and their heritage made him choose Mexico as another country he would live outside the United States. He loves their music because it takes him back to his early days at Willow Street.

5 Got His Talking Cadence From Church Preachers

Rhodes got the inspiration for his distinct speaking style from the pastors at the Southern Baptist church they used to attend. However, he admitted they were not diligent in joining the service regularly, partly because his father also worked on weekends.

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He remembered a quote shared by his father to a preacher, saying, "Every morning at work, seeing the sun, hearing the birds sing, being able to smell the outdoors, that's my church."

4 High School Alma Mater Doesn't Exist Anymore

Rhodes graduated from Albert Sidney Johnston High School in Austin. Named after the former Army general, the school opened in 1960 and became known for its vocational programs in auto mechanics, business, and cosmetology.

It also had a Liberal Arts Academy, a preparatory college program, and the International High School, which provided an intensive English program for immigrant and refugee students. The school was shut down in 2008 under Texas Education Agency commissioner Robert Scott.

3 Had A Brief Stint In Professional Football

After graduating from high school, Rhodes attended West Texas State, now known as West Texas A&M University. He played baseball and football for the Buffaloes, parlaying his gridiron skills into a tryout with the American Football League's Boston Patriots.

He was cut from the Patriots but played for the Continental Football League's Hartford Charter Oaks until the team folded in 1968. Rhodes also trained with the New York Giants and Miami Dolphins but never made the final roster.

2 Got Into Trouble Because Of His Donkey

Rhodes named a rodeo donkey Zeb, claiming it could untie a handkerchief tied to its back leg. However, it also cost him a brand-new apartment in Edina, Minnesota, because it went to the bathroom alone.

Unfortunately, the donkey missed the mark and defecated throughout the hallway. The property owner had seen enough and kicked them out.

1 Was Cremated

Rhodes passed away on June 11, 2015, at 69, due to kidney failure. Five months later, his body was cremated, and his ashes were scattered on a ranch he frequently visited.

He is survived by his wife, Michelle, and his four kids, Dustin, Kristin, Teil, and Cody. He also had six grandchildren by the time of his death.