William “The Refrigerator” Perry spent his final years unable to walk without assistance, relying on a walker and sometimes a wheelchair due to a combination of extreme weight, a rare neurological disorder, and years of declining health. Perry died on February 27, 2025, at age 64.
Guillain-Barré Syndrome Changed Everything
In 2008, Perry was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome, a condition in which the body’s immune system attacks the nerves that control movement and sensation. The disorder can cause muscle weakness, numbness, and in severe cases, partial or full paralysis. For someone already carrying significant extra weight, the nerve damage made independent movement extremely difficult. Following the diagnosis, Perry’s brother Michael Dean was appointed as his legal guardian.
Guillain-Barré can be temporary for some people, but recovery depends heavily on rehabilitation, physical therapy, and overall health. Perry did not consistently work with physical therapists or use the orthopedic shoes and compression socks recommended for his condition, which likely limited whatever recovery might have been possible.
Weight Compounded His Mobility Problems
Perry famously played at around 335 pounds during his NFL career with the Chicago Bears, but his weight climbed dramatically after retirement. By the time a Sports Illustrated profile detailed his struggles, friends and family estimated he weighed between 430 and 450 pounds, at least 150 pounds above a manageable weight for his frame. That kind of load on joints already weakened by nerve damage and years of professional football made walking nearly impossible.
Perry could barely walk, and when he did, he needed a walker. He spent long stretches sitting in his car because he physically could not get out of the driver’s seat. Bladder control became an issue. His hearing deteriorated, but he refused to wear hearing aids, which further isolated him from the people around him.
Life in a Retirement Facility
Perry lived alone in a retirement facility for the later portion of his life. Despite needing significant daily care, he was largely on his own. He drank heavily, consuming beer and vodka daily. He did not follow the medical routines that could have slowed his physical decline. The combination of alcohol use, immobility, and untreated complications created a cycle that was difficult to break.
His family was divided over his care. Disputes arose between his brother and his son William over who should be making decisions on his behalf, with accusations flying in both directions. That family conflict meant Perry sometimes fell through the gaps in the kind of coordinated care he needed.
The Toll of an NFL Career
Perry’s physical decline did not start with Guillain-Barré. Playing as one of the largest defensive linemen in the NFL during the 1980s, he absorbed enormous punishment over a decade-long career. Chronic joint damage, the wear of carrying a massive frame through years of high-impact collisions, and the lifestyle changes that come with sudden retirement from elite athletics all contributed to his trajectory. Many former NFL linemen face severe mobility issues later in life, but Perry’s case was accelerated by the neurological condition and his weight gain.
Perry was a cultural icon during the Bears’ 1985 Super Bowl run, famous for his size, his touchdown as a goal-line fullback, and his infectious personality. The contrast between that larger-than-life figure and the man who spent his final years unable to stand without help made his story one of the more sobering examples of post-NFL decline. He was 62 when the extent of his condition became widely known, and he died two years later without any significant improvement in his mobility or overall health.