Tyrell Dawkins
Career Highlights

Growing up in Houston’s 5th Ward, Tyrell spent a lot of his time on the streets. Home was not where the heart was, as his mother spent her night’s stripping at the Landing Strip; a premier topless bar. His father spent most of his time drunk in front of the television, doped up on whatever he could afford that day. Cocaine, Heroin, Crack, or Marijuana, something was always being smoked or snorted in Tyrell’s home.

Spending most of his time on the streets, Tyrell had to do what he felt he needed to, in order to survive. He started running with the 5th Ward Boyz, stealing car stereos to make a little cash for his pocket. Time in school, was time spent peddling weed to the other students. Tyrell was all about his money, and during his early high school years, he drove to school. Having money like that, rolling in a cash money green 1979 Monte Carlo, brought attention he wished he never had. One day after school, he was sitting in his car counting his money when a group of armed men with black hoods ran up and jacked him for his money and car. Shooting him five times in the process. Tyrell was left for dead, though the would-be assassins were untrained and only managed to wound young Tyrell.

Tyrell spent the next six months rehabilitating. Alone. None of his so called Boyz went to visit him, even his parents stayed away and paid him no mind. For the first time, Tyrell noticed that there was no one there for him. The life he felt was so great, turned out to be nothing but a joke. His so called friends only spent time with him because of his money and influence, and now that he needed them they were nowhere to be found. This caused Tyrell to work out even harder, building up the strength in his body was just the beginning. Tyrell wanted to have the muscular tone of a body builder. He wanted to do something with his life when this was all over. Going back to the street life was not an option. He wanted something more, and his training was just the starting point for greater things.

Tyrell went back to school when the hospital released him, actually spending time in class and learning things this time around. While he did not become a straight ‘A’ student, Tyrell did his best. He kept training, all the while looking for an avenue to pursue, somewhere to put it to good use. He went in to mixed martial arts training, and discovered an outlet for his pent up anger. After a few underground bouts, Tyrell started making the type of money he was used to again. Now a senior in high school, Tyrell was doing something he felt was legit, and making a good living off of it. He had himself an apartment in Downtown Houston, and another customized car; this one a Candy Apple Red 1982 Oldsmobile Cutlass.

Tee Dee looks like a stereo-typical thug, but like they say: looks can be deceiving. He dresses the part, talks the part, but his actions…his heart…they don’t follow that style. Tyrell owns and runs a wreck center for kids that do not want to be running around with gangs on the streets. His place is a neutral ground for different gangs to settle their beefs without any violence. The guy is a hero in his community for his work with the kids of the neighborhood, and it was those same kids that brought up the possibility of Tyrell joining a wrestling federation.