George 'The Animal' Steele dies at age 79

George “The Animal” Steele, the iconic Hall of Fame wrestler, died at age of 79, according to the WWE.

Earning his nickname "The Animal," Steele was known for tearing up the turnbuckle with his teeth, sticking out his green tongue and generally acting like a wild man. He was inducted into the professional wrestling Hall of Fame in 2005.

Steele was scouted by World Wide Wrestling Federation champion Bruno Sammartino in the 1960s. He wrestled on the popular Studio Wrestling TV show on WIIC-TV Channel 11, which became WPXI-TV.

A Detroit native, Steele -- who's real name was William James Myers -- entertained in the ring like no one before him and no one since. But it was Bruno Sammartino that got the Detroit school teacher to start in the ring on Studio Wrestling. Steele went on to be a WWE Hall of Famer.

Steele attended Michigan State and played for the university's football team. After earning his bachelor's and master's degrees, he coached wrestling and football in Michigan.