Gamecock great, former pro wrestler Del Wilkes dies
Wilkes was a first-team All-American during the 1984 season.
Del Wilkes Died
- Thread starter Gamecock4evr
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Del Wilkes, former Gamecocks football star and pro wrestler, dies at 59
Del Wilkes was one of only four South Carolina football consensus All-Americans. He was selected to All-American teams in 1984.
Folks, I just saw this! Something for some reason inclined me to check the other site (I never do
such!!), and I saw this about Del.
I am devastated. Del was one of the ones that won me over FOR CERTAIN back in 1984!! Del Wilkes was as big a part of that 1984 team than the entire remaining Offensive Line!! Del Wilkes was a damned Fine and Wonderful Gamecock, and with him passes a very, Very, VERY Large Portion of that 1984 Team, and I am merely referencing his character, personality and overall persona here!!! Del Wilkes was 1984 Gamecock Football!!
Del Wilkes, May he NEVER BE FORGOTTEN!!
Sad to hear. I graduated Irmo high in the same class as Del
Pro wrestling in the 80's and 90's killed a lot of guys young. Del was the Patriot if I remember correctly. Sad to see this. RIP Del.
I was two years behind Del (Irmo '82). He was quite the character!
That makes me so sad! As I approach 60, I remember when that sounded “old”. He was a great Gamecock. Prayers.
Here is Bob Hope announcing the 84 all americans. We had two that year.....Del and Seawright
Del is around the 5:10 mark. RIP
Sad...Del was a Gamecock great and a big part of our first 10 win season.
This is one local celebrity who I sort of knew through my father who was a bodybuilder and knew him from the gym. He recognized me and spoke whenever I ran into him around town over the years. One thing I can confirm is that Del Wilkes was a super nice guy to everyone. Columbia lost a good one.
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He honestly was probably one of the best OL we ever had. I only knew him from his wrestling days and bumped into him a few times here and there. Super nice guy.
Yep same here. I didn’t know him personally but I did run into him a few times and he’d speak like he knew you.
that’s awesome, hilarious, and absolutely cringeworthy all at the same time.
same here, i went to irmo same years. dang we drank a few together. wow, just wow he is gone.
86’ here. He gave us a state championship, along with Rodney Williams in 1980 over Summerville 23-0.
I’m heartbroken, just hearing this! What a life though! Rest in peace Del.
So sad. Del made the trap block on William Perry that I will never forget.
Man, I forgot we had two that year…..thx for posting this
I am so glad GCC did the feature story about Del a few months back. I so enjoyed that feature story, Del talked about the 1984 game with Navy and it was so interesting. RIP Del you are a tribute to the Gamecock Football Program.
That lifestyle they tried to live of sex, drugs and rock and roll has led to a lot of those guys being terribly unhealthy in their 50's and 60's. I guess you could include the 1970's in that as well.
R.I.P.
Most may already know this but James Seawright died in 2014.
Both guys gone too soon.
Most may already know this but James Seawright died in 2014.
Both guys gone too soon.
First Del was great guy. Was teammates with him on Irmo"s 1979-80 team which was his Sr. year and we lost to Summerville for the state championship. It was my Sr. year of 1980-81 team that won over Summerville 23-0, Del was freshman at USC. Also other correction is Williams was not the QB (I think he was a 9th grader did some practice team work with us), Mark White was the starting QB.
Not trying to be a jerk about this just want the correct info out there.
Hey, I hope you are well. I moved to NC around '84. I don't run into many Irmo folks.
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