Harley Race Passes Away at Age 76

Harley Race passed away earlier today at the age of 76. The cause of death is not publicly known at this time. Prior to his passing, Race had been battling lung cancer since March of this year and had a health scare last month requiring hospitalization.

The NWA issued an official statement on his passing and offered their condolences to Race’s family and friends.

Today the world lost one of the toughest men ever to walk God's green earth.

RIP Harley Race!
8X NWA Worlds Heavyweight Champion.

The entire sport of professional wrestling and the National Wrestling Alliance sends its deepest condolences to the family and friends of Harley. pic.twitter.com/rEiHknbYn1

— NWA (@nwa) August 1, 2019

Race’s legendary career in wrestling began in 1960 and spanned until his official retirement in 1991. He was primarily known for his work in American Wrestling Association and the NWA but also had notable stints in both the WWF and WCW during the 1980s and 1990s.

Considered one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all-time, Race was also well known for his toughness in the ring, resulting in numerous accolades throughout his career, including winning the NWA World Heavyweight Championship on eight occasions, being the inaugural NWA United States Heavyweight Champion (now known as the WWE United States Championship), and being one of only six men who have been inducted into each of the major professional wrestling Hall of Fames (WWE, NWA, Wrestling Observer Newsletter, and Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame).