Bodybuilding legend Bill Pearl lucky to be alive after freak accident.
Former Mr. America, Mr. Universe and Mr. USA, Bill Pearl, is lucky to be alive after he had a freak accident at his farm.
At 91, Bill Pearl still lives a very active life and is the perfect example of living a healthy lifestyle.
Bill Pearl is one of the most popular bodybuilding stars in the history of the sport. Between 1953 and 1971, Pearl dominated every contest he competed in, mainly with the AAU and NABBA.
According to a post published by his representative, Bill Pearl was moving is lawn, riding his Craftsman Mower.
While driving the mower, and it got stuck on a squirrel mound, Bill then put the mower in reverse to back off of it and it jumped, and being close to an embankment, rolled over the edge and came to rest against the barn, on top of Bill’s back.
Lucky for Bill, two men arrived in their truck and lifted the mover off of Bill’s back.
The series injury that Bill suffered was a fractured T-10 vertebrae. Bill endured a six hour operation and he should be sent home in a few days.
To all our Facebook friends : a personal announcement:
The article I just posted was prepared by Bill on Tuesday morning. It had rained the night before, but the sun had come out, and he decided to go up the hill and mow around the barn. He was using the smaller Craftsman riding mower and it got stuck on a squirrel mound, so he put it in reverse to back off of it and it kind of jumped, and being close to an embankment, rolled over the edge and came to rest against the barn, on top of Bill’s back.
I was working in the house and realized I hadn’t heard the mower in a while and walked up the hill to check on him.
When I first saw the mower upside down, and him under I panicked and ran the rest of the way, fearing the worst. (The best was bad enough) he was conscious, but totally pinned, face-down in the grass.
I knew I’d have to leave him that way to call 911. Just as I stood up to leave , a truck came up the drive, with two strong guys, a friend and his son, there to take a workout in the barn. Together, they were able to lift the machine up and off of Bill’s back without injuring him further.
They then called for an ambulance, and they were able to apply a neck brace strap him onto a backboard and safely turn him and take him to the hospital.
After X-Rays a Cat scan and an MRI, a Neurologist determined that he had a compression fracture of his T-10 Vertebrae, among other things.
He was scheduled for surgery the next day. He endured six hours of very complicated surgery and Praise The Lord, he is resting un-comfortably in the hospital, and should be home in a few days.
It may be awhile ’til he can sit at a computer again, but HE’LL BE BACK !!!
We have many friends and family to thank for their Prayers and good wishes, we are so grateful.
Bill and Judy
Evolutionofbodybuilding.net would like to wish Bill Pearl a speedy recovery.
Bill Pearl’s Competition History
1953
Mr America – AAU, Winner
Mr California – AAU, Winner
Mr California – AAU, Most Muscular, 1st
Mr Southern California – AAU, Winner
Mr Universe – NABBA, Overall Winner
Mr Universe – NABBA, Tall, 1st
1956
Mr USA, Winner
Universe – Pro – NABBA, Tall, 1st
1961
Universe – Pro – NABBA, Overall Winner
Universe – Pro – NABBA, Tall, 1st
1967
Universe – Pro – NABBA, Overall Winner
Universe – Pro – NABBA, Tall, 1st
1971
Universe – Pro – NABBA, Overall Winner
Universe – Pro – NABBA, Tall, 1st
