Kevin Von Erich has been through what most families could never survive. The WWE Hall of Famer is the last living of Fritz and Doris Adkisson’s six sons. Jack Jr. died at just six years old in 1959. David died at 25 in 1984. Mike, Chris, and Kerry all died by suicide between 1987 and 1993. The wrestling world gave it a name: the Von Erich curse.
So when a young fan recently asked Kevin what brings him the most happiness, his answer stopped people in their tracks. Not wrestling. Not the Hall of Fame. Not The Iron Claw, the 2023 film where Zac Efron portrayed him. Just one name:“Jesus. I love Jesus with all my heart.”He went on to say his brothers are in heaven, that he’ll be there with them one day, and that he is not afraid to die.
If you only know this family from the movie, know that the film left out brother Chris and took some liberties with the real timeline. The man at the center of it all is still here, still telling his story, and still pointing to something bigger than all that pain. Faith, family, and survival: that’s the legacy Kevin Von Erich is writing now.
What’s the one thing that gets you through your hardest days? Tell us in the comments.
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Local Lawton
Local Lawton is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.