Hulk Hogan, born Terry Gene Bollea on August 11, 1953, was more than just a professional wrestler—he was a cultural phenomenon who redefined the world of sports entertainment. To many, including myself, he was a childhood hero whose larger-than-life persona, signature bandana, and booming catchphrases like “Whatcha gonna do when Hulkamania runs wild on you?!” captivated hearts and inspired dreams. His passing on July 24, 2025, at the age of 71 due to cardiac arrest in his Clearwater, Florida home, has left a void in the hearts of fans worldwide, bringing back a flood of cherished memories.[](https://www.cbssports.com/wwe/news/hulk-hogan-dies-at-71-most-famous-professional-wrestler-in-history-suffers-cardiac-arrest-at-home-in-florida/amp/)
Growing up, Hulk Hogan was a towering figure in our household, especially for my late uncle Jaime, who adored him. Uncle Jaime would mimic Hogan’s iconic poses, flexing his “24-inch pythons” and donning a red and yellow bandana, transforming our living room into a mini Madison Square Garden. Together, we’d gather around the television for WWF pay-per-view events, cheering as Hogan bodyslammed AndrĂ© the Giant at WrestleMania III or battled “Macho Man” Randy Savage. Those moments were magical, bonding us through the spectacle of Hulkamania. Hogan’s death has stirred those memories, reminding me of the joy and excitement he brought to our lives.
Hogan’s rise to fame began in 1977, but it was his 1983 signing with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE) that catapulted him to global stardom. His heroic, all-American persona, complete with his trademark blond horseshoe mustache and red-and-yellow gear, ushered in the 1980s wrestling boom. Headlining eight of the first nine WrestleManias, Hogan became the face of the industry, his charisma and athleticism making him a household name. His fans, lovingly dubbed “Hulkamaniacs,” were inspired by his “three demandments”: train, say your prayers, and eat your vitamins. These words weren’t just catchphrases; they were a call to live with discipline and faith, resonating with millions, including my uncle Jaime.[](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hulk_Hogan)
Beyond the ring, Hogan’s influence stretched into pop culture. From starring in films like Rocky III and No Holds Barred to appearing on cartoons, commercials, and his reality show Hogan Knows Best, he was everywhere in the 1980s and 1990s. His ability to transcend wrestling made him a trailblazer, turning the sport into a mainstream spectacle. Even when he reinvented himself as the villainous “Hollywood” Hulk Hogan in World Championship Wrestling (WCW) in 1996, leading the New World Order (nWo), he proved his versatility, captivating audiences in a new way.[](https://www.cbssports.com/wwe/news/hulk-hogan-dies-at-71-most-famous-professional-wrestler-in-history-suffers-cardiac-arrest-at-home-in-florida/amp/)[](https://www.cbssports.com/wwe/news/hulk-hogan-dies-at-71-most-famous-professional-wrestler-in-history-suffers-cardiac-arrest-at-home-in-florida/)
Yet, Hogan’s legacy is not without its shadows. In 2015, a leaked 2007 recording surfaced, revealing Hogan using racial slurs, including the n-word, while expressing discomfort about his daughter Brooke dating a Black man. The fallout was swift: WWE terminated his contract, removed him from their Hall of Fame, and scrubbed his presence from their website. Hogan apologized, stating, “I’m not a racist, but I never should have said what I said. It was wrong. I’m embarrassed by it,” attributing the language to the environment he grew up in in South Tampa. While some, like wrestlers Virgil, Dennis Rodman, and Kamala, defended his character, the incident left a lasting stain on his reputation. Despite his apologies and reinstatement to the WWE Hall of Fame in 2018, the controversy remains a painful chapter, reminding us of his imperfections.[](https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/hulk-hogan-racial-slur-scandal-forgive-people/story?id=33421599)[](https://abcnews.go.com/US/hulk-hogan-wwe-hall-famer-legendary-champion-dies/story?id=102716760)[](https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-44846142)
In his later years, Hogan’s spiritual journey took center stage. Raised Catholic, he strayed from faith as a young adult but publicly embraced Protestantism in 2023, undergoing a Baptist baptism in Florida at age 70. He declared, “Total surrender and dedication to Jesus is the greatest day of my life,” sharing how his faith, rekindled after years of chasing fame, brought him peace. This conversion was a significant moment, reflecting his desire for redemption and purpose beyond the spotlight.[](https://sportsspectrum.com/sport/wrestling/2023/12/21/hulk-hogan-baptized-surrender-dedication-jesus/)
Hulk Hogan’s passing has sparked varied reactions, with some Protestants online claiming he is “saved” due to his baptism. However, as Catholics, we believe his soul, like all souls, rests in God’s hands, and we must pray for him. He was not perfect—no one is—but Hogan tried hard to be a good person and a role model to his Hulkamaniacs. His message to train, pray, and take vitamins was a sincere call to live with strength and faith, even if he sometimes fell short of his own ideals. We will miss him dearly, but his legacy endures in the memories of fans, in the echoes of “Hulkamania,” and in the love he inspired in people like my uncle Jaime. May we continue to pray for his soul, entrusting him to God’s infinite mercy.
Pro wrestling icon Hulk Hogan has died at the age of 71, Florida police and WWE said Thursday.
— ESPN (@espn) July 24, 2025
More: https://t.co/bZwSASUfi8 pic.twitter.com/T51v78vJcv
The legendary Hulk Hogan ❤️đŸ’› pic.twitter.com/3daG7IDznf
— WWE (@WWE) July 24, 2025
I had the privilege of knowing and working with @HulkHogan Hogan for over 40 years.
— Linda McMahon (@Linda_McMahon) July 24, 2025
Hulk was a dear friend and member of our WWE family. His legacy in and out of the ring will always be remembered. He was one of a kind!
My thoughts and prayers are with his family, his… pic.twitter.com/JY70HYfTwx
HULK HOGAN - THE GREATEST OF ALL
— Sting (@Sting) July 24, 2025
Can’t thank you enough for all that you did for me and for wrestling fans all over the world. I loved you and I will miss you.
My friend, Terry Bollea, RIP pic.twitter.com/DoM4tGaRHT
I Am Absolutely Shocked To Hear About The Passing Of My Close Friend @HulkHogan! Hulk Has Been By My Side Since We Started In The Wrestling Business. An Incredible Athlete, Talent, Friend, And Father! Our Friendship Has Meant The World To Me. He Was Always There For Me Even When… pic.twitter.com/rOWLakMjr4
— Ric Flair® (@RicFlairNatrBoy) July 24, 2025
Hulk Hogan was a true legend. I was fortunate to work with him a couple of times, including this memorable one. It was easy to do a Hulkster impersonation when, like millions of guys my age, I'd practiced it in the mirror a thousand times growing up. #RIPHULKHOGAN https://t.co/8iRfUDy0D8 pic.twitter.com/h7Un65D7KD
— Kane (@KaneWWE) July 24, 2025
The wrestling world has lost a true legend. His contributions to our business are immeasurable and for that I am appreciative.
— Undertaker (@undertaker) July 24, 2025
Thank you, Hulk Hogan. pic.twitter.com/aV4gdTcq4S
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