Ben Roller

Benjamin Franklin "Ben" Roller (July 1, 1876 – April 19, 1933) was a physician, a professional wrestler and a football player.

Biography

Early life

Roller was born in Newman, Illinois,. where he grew up on his family's farm. As a boy on the farm, Roller dreamed of becoming a doctor. His mother encouraged him to attend college, while his father felt that every man should make his own way, picking up his education by experience.

He attended college at De Pauw University, after his mother, a former school teacher, helped him prepare for the entrance examination. Due to the family's lack of money, Ben worked at a dry goods store, pulling nails for 15 cents an hour. He used the money to buy new clothes for attending school. Upon arriving at De Pauw, Roller started a gym class, that began his athletic career in football and wrestling. He was the runt in his family of six, at 6'0 and 200 pounds. He soon became the captain of the school's football and track teams.

Upon graduation from De Pauw, Roller attended the University of Pennsylvania. With a lack of money for college, he soon began to play football at the professional ranks.