Ric Flair Using Platform To Discuss Important Issues In Wrestling

Ric Flair is a WWE Hall of Famer and 16-time world champion, but now that he’s no longer an on-screen character in wrestling, he’s been spending his time promoting his daughter, Charlotte Flair, and talking about critical issues in wrestling.

In his long, storied career, Ric Flair accomplished pretty much everything there was to accomplish as a professional wrestler, and it is truly remarkable how he was able to become “The Man” in every single promotion he worked for. But Flair’s legacy as a professional wrestler is giving way to a new legacy in retirement, because he’s been busy using his platform to spread love and positivity.

Recently, Flair had a brush with death, and the outpouring of support sent to both him and his daughter, a four-time Women’s Champion, was tremendous. The scare caused many fans to realize just how important it is to appreciate legends while they are still alive, and it’s made Flair’s appearances on podcasts and in the media all the more important.

In an interview with NBC Sports Radio, Flair spoke candidly about a variety of topics, but the most important discussions centered around his family. Flair, as usual, put over his immensely talented (dare I say, “Genetically Superior”) daughter Charlotte, since he is promoting the book “Second Nature: The Legacy of Ric Flair and the Rise of Charlotte”.

However, Flair also spoke about his son Reid, who passed away on March 29, 2013 due to a drug overdose. Reid’s death was a huge tragedy in the wrestling world, and it visibly affected Ric Flair greatly. Drug addiction is a disease, which is something Flair stated in the interview, and his message on the importance of understanding the severity of the disease (and the fact that it is a disease in the first place) was refreshing to hear.

Many people have come to learn this, but society as a whole still has plenty of catching up to do. Hearing a national icon speak about it in these terms will hopefully help others learn, and Flair’s opinion carries the weight of a person who has seen the disease at its worst first-hand.

Flair said:

"“You never see it coming. You’re in denial. My kid smoking doubt? Not a chance. No chance in hell. You know what I mean? And then all of a sudden, it’s a reality. And then it’s from dope to…and it’s just something. I just couldn’t fathom it. I realized it wasn’t just me. He was fighting a disease. And trust me, drugs are not an addiction. Drugs at a high level are a disease, and that’s just all there is to it.”"

Earlier in the interview, Flair touched on another topic that also has relevance to wrestling and wrestling fans as a whole. It’s no secret that wrestlers work intense schedules and put their bodies on the line to produce the best possible product for the fans, and Flair was certainly no exception to this as one of the business’s premier workers.

"“I know my son is still very upset with me, and that’s something I have to live with. But he’ll never get over the fact that I wasn’t around enough. I look at it in reality, a lot of fathers aren’t around for different reasons…someone’s gonna take the blame, and I’m willing to take the blame for it. I was very selfish, because I wanted to be the best. I competed against myself, because I knew I was that much better than anyone else.”"

It’s an honest admission, and the honesty that Flair exhibits in all of his recent interviews is both admirable and informative. The lesson he imparts with this answer is something wrestlers may ponder on, and it might be even more important for fans to remember. As sad as it is to say, there are still fans who don’t show respect to the performers during shows (hijacking the show with rude chants or bringing beach balls) or who even harass wrestlers on Twitter. They’ll argue that they can do whatever they want, especially if they bought tickets to a show, but is it real respectful and appropriate to display this behavior towards people making sacrifices to their family lives in order to entertain you, the audience?

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I’d highly encourage all wrestling fans to listen to this interview with Flair on The Newy Scruggs Show, and it would also be wise to keep an eye out for other interviews involving “The Nature Boy”. You never know what wise words the legend might speak next, especially since he’s been so honest with reflecting on his life and talking about issues that should be important to wrestling fans.