Bob Backlund

“I want to represent the people.”

“Bruno Sammartino is the greatest wrestling champion ever in the world. I wrestled more than he did but he was a strong man, he pushed a lot, threw people around and he was the greatest. I actually did more wrestling maneuvers then he did but that wasn't his thing.”

“I'm a dad, I'm a family man, I believe family is the most important unit on the face of the earth. If anything is going to get fixed, family will do it.”

“My favorite part about the wrestling industry is the fan base. I really enjoy going out to see fans and conversing with them outside the ring.”

“My relationship with Triple H has been fantastic. He has kept his word on everything that he has said to me and I respect him for that.”

“Some wrestlers don't know how to wrestle, they are just entertainers.”

“I have a policy before I get out of bed, I convince myself that I'm going to have a positive mental attitude all day, and I never capitulate on that rule.”

“You have to stand up and you have to walk to walk or you're not the man. You don't walk the walk, that's the most important thing about being WWF champion or any champion at all.”

“When I got put into the Hall of Fame in 2013, I told Triple H I would like to get back in the business and put a little bit more W in it and I was serious about it. I don't know if he is ever going to take me up on the offer. I do think about it every now and then.”

“You can't stay at home with your parents and just sit there, you have to get out there and do it.”

“When I got out of my hometown of Glastonbury, Connecticut, I became 'Mr. Backlund' and if someone did not call me Mr. Backlund I just kept walking. I demanded respect because I believe that in life that respect is so important, especially for kids to respect others.”

“Who would you rather have represent you? A regular guy like me or a lifelong politician?”

“To go and win a gold medal in the Olympics, not too many people get a chance to do that and it is such a great accomplishment.”

“I was working out in a gym in Minneapolis and I met this guy named Eddie Sharkey. He had a school there where wrestlers like Red Bastien, Billy Red Lyons and Mad Dog Vachon were working out. Those were some very interesting characters, but they were all good athletes, so I joined.”

“I have to sleep to stay alive. I have to eat to stay alive.”

“I enjoyed the time in the ring because I was trying to entertain people and give them a show for their hard earned money they spent to come to the show.”

“The chicken wing and the cross-face were in the business but I was the first one to clasp my hands when I had both of them on. So I was sort-of the inventor of it.”

“Vince McMahon Sr. was the man who was behind me so much. I wasn't in a clique. I didn't schmooze with other promoters when I was coming up.”

“If you don't like school, tell yourself you love school and you'll learn something.”

“When I think about 'All American Boy' I think of someone that lives by the Golden Rule: treat people how you wanted to be treated. That's one of my rules in life.”