Background
Raised in the Great Depression after his father died when Drake was only six years old, he attended public schools in Cullman County.
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Tom Drake
Edit ProfileEducation
University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (Bachelor of Science, 1954). University of Alabama (Master of Arts, 1960. Juris Doctor, 1963).
Career
He currently resides in Vinemont, Alabama. Obtaining an athletic scholarship to the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga after high school, he both wrestled and played football for the Chattanooga "Mocs". He was subsequently drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers, but his career with them ended when he was drafted by the United States Army.
Along the way, Drake wrestled or partnered with many of the sports' greatest legends, including Gorgeous George, Lou Thesz, Bearcat Brown, Tojo Yamamoto and Len Rossi. Sometimes wrestling as the "Cullman Comet", Drake wrestled professionally until 1978, eventually being inducted into the International Wrestlers Hall of Fame in 2001. His signature wrestling move was the "dropkick".
In 1960, Drake entered law school at the University of Alabama. In that position, he represented Cullman County for 32 years. Coming from a long line of lawyers on his mother's side of the family, Drake practiced personal injury law and general civil law for over 48 years, handling many high-profile cases in the North Alabama area.
Two of Drake's children are lawyers and each of their spouses are lawyers (Whit Drake and Tommmy Drake). Invited to be a contestant on the popular 1970s game show What's My Line?, the celebrity panel was challenged to guess Drake's "other" occupation, after being informed he was both an attorney, farmer and legislator. Eventually, they correctly guessed it was professional wrestling.
Drake currently resides in Vinemont Alabama and still goes into his law office every day. Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum
Senator Hugh Farley Award (2008).
Achievements
Membership
Member, Alabama House of Representatives, 1962-1978. Elected 9th term to Alabama House of Representatives, November, 1994. Elected Speaker of the Alabama House of Representatives, January, 1983.
Re-elected, 1984-1987. Elected Speaker Emeritus, 1987. Board of Directors, Wallace State Junior Community College, 1978.
Board of Directors, Alabama Space Science Exhibit, 1978. Chairman, House Committee on Rules, 1970-1978. Member: Cullman County (President, 1977-1978) and American Bar Associations.
Alabama State Bar; Alabama Trial Lawyers Association. The Association of Trial Lawyers of America. American Judicature Society.
Military: With United States. Army, 1954-1956.
Connections
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Born
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Died
September 26, 2011 (aged 80) -
Nationality
American