William Perry
American football defensive tackle known as "The Refrigerator".
William Perry (born 1962), American football defensive tackle, nicknamed "The Refrigerator".
- Role
- Defensive Tackle / Fullback
- Team
- Chicago Bears (1985–1993), Philadelphia Eagles (1994)
- Years Active with Bears
- 1985–1993
- Super Bowl Appearance
- XX (Champion)
- Hall of Fame Status
- Not inducted into Pro Football Hall of Fame
- Signature Trait
- Scoring touchdowns as a defensive player
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
William Perry played his first nine seasons with the Chicago Bears, joined the Philadelphia Eagles during his ninth season in 1993, and spent his final season with the team.
In Their Own Story
The defining moment of Perry's career occurred during Super Bowl XX against the New England Patriots. In a nod to his popularity, Ditka inserted Perry into the game on offense. On his first carry, Perry attempted a halfback option pass but was tackled for a one-yard loss. However, on his second opportunity, he powered through Patriots linebacker Larry McGrew to score a touchdown, cementing his place in history as the heaviest player to ever score in the Super Bowl. His ring from that victory is size 25, the largest in Super Bowl history compared to the average adult male size of 10–12. After leaving Chicago following the 1993 season (his ninth), Perry played his final year with the Eagles before retiring after the 1994 season. He later attempted a comeback with the London Monarchs in 1996. Off the field, he participated in the 'Super Bowl Shuffle,' recorded rap songs like 'Together' with Walter Payton, and appeared in wrestling events, boxing matches against Bob Sapp and Manute Bol, and TV shows including The A-Team.
Reader's Guide
William Perry is best known for his tenure with the Chicago Bears and his nickname "The Refrigerator".
Did You Know?
- William Perry was nicknamed "The Refrigerator".
- He played defensive tackle in American football.
- He joined the Philadelphia Eagles during his ninth season in 1993.
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