- Flair kicked off the game before the Buccaneers eliminated the Eagles, 9-32
- Nature Boy retired from wrestling in 2008 before signing with AEW last year
- DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news
WWE legend Ric Flair had fans worried about his health during a TV appearance on Monday night.
Flair, 74, appeared on ESPN to kick off the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ wild card game against the Philadelphia Eagles. He stood on the ship at the end of the field with Michelle Beisner-Buck and Robert Griffin III.
Nature Boy sported a custom Bucs jersey topped with a classy suit draped in the team’s colors and iced-out chains. As he’s done throughout his career, Flair graced the mic with his signature phrases.
‘If you wanna be the man you gotta beat the man,’ Flair told viewers. ‘And right now the man is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Wooooo!’
While plenty were excited about his appearance, some fans expressed their concern over Flair’s health.
WWE legend Ric Flair had fans concerned after appearing at the Bucs-Eagles wild card game
At the age of 72, Flair is attempting to return to the lime light, signing with AEW in 2023
‘Ric Flair’s face is so red I feel like he’s gonna pop,’ one fan wrote on X.
‘Definitely has a red hue these days,’ another added. ‘His clothing just accentuated it.’
A third fan said: ‘I know Ric Flair has had some ups and downs in his life in recent years but it makes me happy to see him having fun these days going on TV & on social media talking his jive at sports events!’
Flair’s illustrious in-ring career began in 1972 and spanned over multiple decades.
The six-time WWE champion initially retired from pro wrestling in 2008 after losing to Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania 24.
He has since dealt with adversity, particularly with his health.
Over his illustrious career, Nature Boy held the WWE heavyweight and intercontinental titles
He initially retired from the ring in 2008 after losing to Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania 24
Aside from being diagnosed with alcoholic cardiomyopathy, flair underwent a surgery in 2017 to remove an obstructive piece of his bowel. The procedure was done shortly after Flair dealt with various complications including a kidney failure.
This, however, did not keep Flair from an inevitable ring return 15 years after stepping away from the squared circle.
Flair signed with WWE counterpart AEW on November 2, 2023 but is yet to make an in-ring appearance for the fast-rising company.
His last match came in July of 2022 when he starred in a pay-per-view super show called ‘Ric Flair’s Last Match’ in Nashville, Tennessee.
Flair paired up with Andrade El Idolo to defeat Jay Lethal and Jeff Jarrett in a 27-minute tag team match in front of 6,800 fans.