Inspirational story

Bill “The Singing Samson” Bangert, who measured 6-feet-5, 265 pounds, overcame blindness and bankruptcy during his lifetime. He also failed to land the Olympics for St. Louis and took his lumps in the boxing ring.

“I found out a long time ago you have to lose before you can become a real champion,” said Bangert, 87, who died on July 12.

Bangert’s feats of strength included carrying the 775-pound Dinnie Stones over a bridge in Scotland (received a gallon of malt whiskey for that one) and dragging the 2.5-ton Naha Stone in Hawaii (qualified him to rule as king).

The Singing Samson?

He once sang the national anthem for a boxing match, got in the ring to fight and was knocked out ...