Sanders In The Moment

by Bahne Bahnson, Josephine Funk

Rick Sanders was known to many as the first wrestling hippie. A product of the 1960's counterculture, his unabashed approach to a life of total personal freedom rankled many in the sport's traditional ascetic culture. At mat-side, he stood out with his long hair, beard, and love beads. On off hours, he drank beer and smoked marijuana, and whenever possible, he listened to loud rock and roll. But through it all, he impressed. With a stellar college record of 103-2, Rick was named Outstanding Wrestler at NAIA, NCAA D-II, and NCAA D-I levels of competition, the only wrestler to ever do so. He became America's first ever freestyle wrestling World Champion in 1969. And he medaled at the prestigious 1968 and 1972 Olympic Games, competing alongside the likes of Bobby Douglas, Wayne Wells, and Dan Gable. Fifty years after his tragic death, FloWrestling placed Sanders 21st on their recent assessment of the top 100 best wrestlers, with Mark Bader calling him wrestling's "Original Godfather of Funk." Despite high expectations and strong opponents (on and off the mat) Rick Sanders continued to live life and wrestle on his own terms: spirited, unorthodox, and dedicated to the sport that he loved.