Luther Lindsay

Luther Jacob Goodall (December 30, 1924 – February 21, 1972) was an American professional football player and wrestler, known by his ringname Luther Lindsay or Lindsey, who competed throughout the United States with the National Wrestling Alliance as well as international promotions such as All Japan Pro Wrestling, Joint Promotions and Stampede Wrestling.
One of the first African American wrestlers to become a major star, he was extremely popular in the Pacific Northwest and Mid-Atlantic territory. A frequent rival and tag team partner of Shag Thomas, he also teamed with Bearcat Wright, Nick Bockwinkel, Pepper Gomez and was involved in feuds with "Iron" Mike DiBiase, Mad Dog Vachon, Beauregarde, Moondog Mayne, Tony Borne and Pat Patterson & The Hangman.
For much of the early 1950s and '60s, Lindsay was billed as the U.S. Colored (or Negro) Heavyweight Champion and took part in the first interracial professional wrestling matches held in the United States. Between 1953 and 1956, he faced NWA World Heavyweight Champion Lou Thesz in a series of matches. Although largely resulting in time limit draws, he was the first African-American to make a challenge to the title and earned Thesz's respect during these bouts publicly praising his wrestling ability.
He was considered one of the top submission wrestlers of his day working with Don Leo Jonathan and Stu Hart. Lindsay was one of the few men who bested him in the infamous Stampede Wrestling Hart Dungeon and later became one of Hart's best friends. Hart reportedly carried a picture of him in his wallet until his death. Lindsay was held in high regard by his fellow wrestlers.
==Death==
On February 21, 1972, Lindsay wrestled a match against Bobby Paul. After 10 minutes, Lindsay delivered his diving bellyflop finisher but suffered a heart attack while pinning his opponent. After failing to respond to the referee he was taken back to the dressing room and shortly thereafter was declared dead. 
==In wrestling==
*Finishing and signature moves
**Diving Bellyflop
*Teams and stables
*Nicknames
**"Pistol"
== Championships and accomplishments ==
*Japan Pro Wrestling Alliance
**All Asia Tag Team Championship (1 time) with Ricky Waldo
*National Wrestling Alliance
**Central States Wrestling
***NWA United States Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
**Maple Leaf Wrestling
***NWA Canadian Open Tag Team Championship (1 time) with Jack Claybourne
**Mid-Pacific Promotions
***NWA Hawaii Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
***NWA Hawaii Tag Team Championship (3 times) with Bobby Bruns (1), Robert Duranton (1), and Bearcat Wright (1)
***NWA United States Heavyweight Championship (Hawaii version) (1 time)
**Pacific Northwest Wrestling
***NWA Pacific Northwest Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
***NWA Pacific Northwest Tag Team Championship (11 times) with George Dussette (2), Bing Ki Lee (1), Herb Freeman (1), Shag Thomas (5), and Pepper Martin (2)
**Stampede Wrestling
***Stampede Wrestling Hall of Fame (Class of 1995)
***NWA Canadian Tag Team Championship (Calgary version) (1 time) with Ray Villmer
***NWA Canadian Heavyweight Championship (Calgary version) (1 time)
***Stampede International Tag Team Championship (1 time) with Oattem Fisher
*World Wrestling Entertainment
**WWE Hall of Fame (Class of 2017)
==External links==
* Profile
* WWE.com Profile
Category:American wrestlers
Category:Virginia wrestlers
Category:Former football players
Category:1924 births
Category:1972 deaths
Category:1951 debuts
Category:All Japan Pro Wrestling alumni
Category:Continental Wrestling Association alumni
Category:Japan Wrestling Association alumni
Category:Jim Crockett Promotions alumni
Category:Maple Leaf Wrestling alumni
Category:Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling alumni
Category:National Wrestling Alliance alumni
Category:Pacific Northwest Wrestling alumni
Category:Stampede Wrestling alumni
Category:World Wrestling Entertainment alumni
Category:WWE Hall of Fame Legacy Inductee
Category:Male wrestlers
Category:Wrestlers who have died
Category:All Asia Tag Team Champions