'Diamonds are forever, and so is Ric Flair!' ~ Ric Flair

Yesterday, I was extremely bummed to hear about Ric Flair's serious health issues. In case you haven't heard, the 'Dirtiest Player in the Game' is in a medically induced coma after suffering from some sort of 'serious medical issue'. He had to have emergency surgery. And according to several people I know that are closely associated to Ric, things are not looking good. It's going to be touch and go for a while.

But, as sad as it is to see a personal hero of mine in such dire straights, I can't exactly say I'm shocked. It takes a lot out of a man to be the Nature Boy. Unlike most actors or professional wrestlers who play a role on TV and then go back to be a normal guy when the lights go off, Ric Flair was always Ric Flair.

He is exactly the guy you see on TV; the stylin', profilin', limousine riding, jet flying, kiss-stealing, wheelin' n' dealin' son of a gun! If Flair was in town, you knew it. He was out drinking all hours of the night. Chasing women. And doing everything you would expect out of him.

The legends and lore of Flair running the roads were all fact. Unfortunately, you can't run that hard for that long with out any consequences. The divorces, the alcohol induced heart problems, the arrests, the lawsuits...they all take a toll.

But, I think that's part of the charm of Naitch. He wasn't a fake. He wasn't putting on a show. He is exactly what he appears to be. He never hid or ran from his short comings. He owned them. Made them apart of his legend...warts and all.

My thoughts, prayers and well wishes are with the Nature Boy and his family during this trying time. I'd like to think he's going to kick out at 2 & 1/2 then take some nurses for a ride on Space Mountain. But, no matter what happens, the Nature Boy did it all and he did it all his way.

We all need to live life with a little Flair. If you buy into yourself, you can go a long way.