March 23, 2012
Edmonton Eskimos
ESKS.com Staff
(Edmonton) Joe Blanchard, a member of the Edmonton Eskimo teams of the 1950’s, passed away at a hospice in San Antonio after a battle with squamous cell carcinoma.
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| Joe Blanchard and his son, Tully, at 2010 Hall of Heroes banquet. |
Born in Haskell, Oklahoma, Blanchard went to college in Kansas and was a Big 7 wrestling champion. He was a multi-sport star, excelling in football, and wrestling. Joe played for the Esks for three years (1950-1953) and was a member of the 1952 Eskimo team that went to the 40th Grey Cup, losing to the Toronto Argonauts at Varsity Stadium.
Blanchard went on to a 25 year professional wrestling career after football. Joe’s wrestling took him all over the United States before settling in San Antonio, Texas where he bought a local promotions company and started in the wrestling promotion business. He will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame on March 31, 2012.
Joe Blanchard is survived by his wife Jackie, son Trully, and four grandchildren Taylor, Tanner, Tessa, and Tally. A second son Taylor was killed in a car crash in 1978.
A memorial for Joe Blanchard will take place Monday, March 26th in San Antonio, Texas.