Pittsburgher and WWF legend Virgil has died

by Thomas Leturgey & Michael C. Jones has died. The Wilkinsburg, PA native was an enigma to many fans of professional wrestling around the world. As “The Million Dollar Man” Ted Dibiase’s well-dressed and pumped valet, Jones was best known as “Virgil.” Jones, who would have turned 73 on April 7, passed away on Wednesday morning, February 28, 2024 from complications from dementia as well as a number of recent strokes. Long-time WWF favorite Tony Atlas discovered Jones working out at a gymnasium and encouraged him to look into professional wrestling. Jones, who moved furniture as a young man, made the call. He worked in a variety of territories throughout the years, with names like “Mr. Jones” and “Soul Train” Jones. He and “Soul Man” Rocky Johnson were tag team champions, but it was his eight-year run as a bodyguard that fans most remember. “Virgil” came onto the scene as the silent and menacing second to Dibiase in the World Wrestling Federation. In a sleeveless vest and bald head, Virgil did a lot of Dibiase’s bidding. In one of the most famous “babyface” turns in the WWF in the 1980’s, Virgil was angered by The Million Dollar Man and blasted...