Ric Flair, the legendary professional wrestler known to fans worldwide as the “Nature Boy,” is currently in recovery following a hospitalization in Tampa, Florida. The 77-year-old retired athlete, whose legal name is Richard Morgan Fliehr, was admitted to the hospital after suffering a fall outside a local restaurant on Friday, an accident that occurred shortly after he publicly disclosed a serious health complication involving a blood clot in his leg.
The incident took place on Friday outside a Wagamama restaurant in Tampa. The fall resulted in injuries to Flair’s head and eye, requiring immediate medical attention. By Saturday, Flair had shared an update on his condition, appearing in a photograph with a patch over one eye but offering a reassuring smile to his supporters. He expressed his gratitude to the medical team at Tampa General Hospital, where he remained under observation until approximately 4:30 a.m. Saturday morning.
“Thank you to all the Tampa General Hospital staff and doctors that put up with me until 4:30 a.m.,” Flair stated in a message to his fans following his release. “I appreciate you all and thank you for everything you did for me.” He added that he is now focusing entirely on his healing process and recovery, telling followers, “I will be okay!”
The fall occurred during an already difficult health window for the wrestling icon. Only hours before the accident, Flair had informed fans that he was forced to cancel a scheduled appearance at the Washington State Horror Con in Seattle. The cancellation was a direct result of a blood clot discovered in his leg. Medical professionals had strictly limited Flair’s travel to a maximum of three to four hours to prevent further complications, making the flight to Seattle impossible.
Flair described the situation as “extremely serious” and noted that blood clots can be “life-threatening” if not managed correctly. He revealed that he has an upcoming medical procedure scheduled to “strip the affected vein” in hopes of resolving the issue. Despite the disappointment of missing the event in Seattle, Flair emphasized that he had to prioritize his health and recovery.
His daughter, current WWE superstar Charlotte Flair, shared a lighthearted perspective on the incident, joking that her father told doctors his fall was the result of a wrestler “dropping him on his head.” She confirmed, however, that the situation was stable and that he is expected to be fine.
Flair’s career in professional wrestling spans decades, making him one of the most recognizable figures in the history of the sport. As he navigates this dual health challenge—the immediate injuries from his fall and the ongoing management of the blood clot—the wrestling community has responded with an outpouring of support. Flair concluded his update by thanking fans for their messages and prayers, promising to respond individually as he regains his strength.
