Former NFL ‘toughmen’ to fight in LV

Victoria Sun

Friday, Jan. 4, 2002 | 11:33 a.m.

When former Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Randy White was asked to compete in last year's inaugural Tough Bowl, he politely declined.

This time, the eight-time all-pro defensive lineman and 1994 Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee didn't want to miss out on the action.

"It'll be fun," White said in a Southern drawl. "Hell, I'm 48, I'm fixin' to be 49 and I'm healthy enough to do it. I like doing things I've never done before."

White is one of 22 former NFL players scheduled to compete in Tough Bowl II at Caesars Palace Saturday at 8 p.m.

Among other competitors are William "Refrigerator" Perry, Ickey Woods, Napoleon McCallum and Lawrence Taylor.

The men will fight three one-minute rounds wearing 16-ounce gloves, mouthpieces, padded headgear and a kidney protector. Three judges will use the standard 10-point scoring system to name a winner.

Perry, listed at 6-foot-3, 428 pounds, will fight Marty Lyons, listed at 6-foot-5, 280 pounds, in the first fight of the evening.

Tonight at 8, 16 local bartenders and bouncers will fight in the "Toughest Bouncer/Bartender/Casino Employee" contest.

The 16 NFL contestants have been divided into heavyweight and super heavyweight divisions with one champion to be named following the single-elimination bouts.

Art Dore, founder of the original Toughman bouts in 1979, conceived the idea of having former NFL players fight each other to see how tough they really are.

"We're looking for the toughest man in the country in all kinds of occupations so I thought, 'Why not former NFL players?' " Dore said. "Tough men don't dance.

"When that bell rings, they got three one-minute rounds and they're coming out winging it. You're going to see action. Nobody wants to see them bobbing and weaving anyway, especially with all these big guys."

Big is right.

Even at 48, White is an imposing figure.

White, named co-MVP of Super Bowl XII with teammate Harvey Martin, stands 6-foot-4 and is listed at 278 pounds.

He will fight Joe Klecko -- 6-foot-3, 280 pounds -- in the evening's finale. They appeared in Miller Lite commercials together after White retired in 1988.

Both will be making their Tough Bowl debuts.

"I've been working out a little bit," White said. "You just go out there, fight three one-minute rounds and go relax and enjoy yourself.

"We know what to expect. I've watched the tapes of what the toughman deal is, you know. Just get out there and try to survive."

Tough Bowl II will be televised on FX on Feb. 1.