Bill Goldberg, a two-time All-SEC defensive lineman at the University of Georgia in the 1980s, later earned worldwide distinction for his career in professional wrestling. On April 6, he will take his place in sports-entertainment history when he is inducted into the World Wrestling Entertainment Hall of Fame during WrestleMania 34 week in New Orleans.
Goldberg earned fame in the late 1990s as the brightest star at World Championship Wrestling events. He became known for his good guy persona, beastly scowl, trademark moves that he called the Spear and the Jackhammer, and a winning streak that, according to some, reached 173 matches. He is the only person to win the WCW World Heavyweight Championship, WWE’s World Heavyweight Championship and the WWE Universal Championship
A native of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Goldberg arrived at UGA in 1985 and saw action in 10 games in the 1986 season. He earned All-SEC honors in each of his final two seasons (1988-89). In 1987, Goldberg became a member of the Junkyard Dog Club, an exclusive honor reserved for only the most outstanding defensive players. His 348 career tackles still rank ninth on the all-time UGA career tackle list. He led the 1989 football team in tackles with 121.
After Goldberg left UGA, he was with the Los Angeles Rams in 1990 and spent time in the World League of American Football before signing on with the Atlanta Falcons in 1991. Goldberg retired from football in 1995 after suffering a season-ending injury in 1994.