Vader in Bad Health, Expected to Have “Two Years to Live”

While Big Van Vader–real name Leon Allen White–might never have held a championship in WWE, he still left a big impression on legions of fans with his iconic mask, big size, and brutal in-ring style. However, it sounds like the big man has much time left.

Vader posted on Twitter last night that multiple doctors have suggested a bad prognosis for him, saying that he’s likely to suffer from congestive heart failure. They’ve given Vader two years to live.

httpss://twitter.com/itsvadertime/status/798380614605008897

He recently survived a major car crash, and while that’s likely unrelated to his heart problems, it might be the reason for the recent doctor’s visits.

httpss://twitter.com/itsvadertime/status/796058740596363265?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Vader wrestled not just in WWE–or WWF at the time–but all over the world, with lengthy stays in Japan with NJPW, AJPW, and Pro Wrestling Noah. A large portion of his early career was spent with WCW, where he battled with the likes of Sting, Nikita Koloff, and Mick Foley. He challenged for many titles in WWE, but never successfully claimed one.

He also had a football career, and was a two-time All-American offensive lineman at the University of Colorado. He spent multiple seasons with the Los Angeles Rams, and even competed in Super Bowl XIV against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

He has not yet been added to the WWE Hall of Fame, but last year inducted his friend and former rival Stan Hansen to the class of 2016.