Wrestling legend and icon, Danny Hodge, passed away last night at the age of 88.

Hodge won a silver medal at the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne, Australia. At the University of Oklahoma, Hodge went 46-0 en route to three conference titles and three NCAA titles. With 36 of his 46 wins coming via pin, Hodge is regarded as one of the best NCAA wrestlers of all-time. After his amateur wrestling career came to an end, Hodge embarked on an 18-year run as a professional wrestler and accrued a 17-0 record as a boxer in the 1950s.

Hodge was well-known for his appearance on the cover of Sports Illustrated in April 1957 as well as for his ability to crush apples with one hand. His legacy lives on in the form of the Dan Hodge Trophy - awarded every year to the most dominant NCAA wrestler. 

Many in the wrestling community are mourning the loss of such a legend.

We mourn the loss of legendary Sooner wrestler, Danny Hodge. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.

📰 | https://t.co/P1Bo6eJExs pic.twitter.com/wkbsIjK4zF

— Oklahoma Wrestling (@OU_Wrestling) December 26, 2020

Hard to believe that my boyhood hero, riding partner, and mentor, the great #DannyHodge has passed away.

Danny was the best wrestler, amateur and pro, I’ve ever been around. #RIPCHAMP pic.twitter.com/JDPAFZNNS7

— Jim Ross (@JRsBBQ) December 26, 2020

RIP Danny Hodge, wrestling legend #AppleCrusher

— Yianni Diakomihalis (@yiannidiako_LGR) December 26, 2020

RIP Dan Hodge pic.twitter.com/PeuOE9h4lD

— The Wrestling Nomad (@wrestlingnomad) December 26, 2020

RIP DANNY HODGE. I remember the first time I met him in Tulsa and I always wanted to be able to crush an apple like him. He was one of our sports greats. ✨

— Mark John Hall II (@BaybeeMarky_PSU) December 26, 2020

Here's a video of Danny Hodge pinning Ron Flemming in the NCAA Finals in Pittsburgh in 1957. Love Hodge helping Flemming up right after pinning him. And, check out the fans :39 in. All in suits! https://t.co/vP18yr8V2V

— Justin Basch (@JustinJBasch) December 26, 2020

Dan Hodge played an instrumental part of my wrestling career. From my first big tournament to winning an award named after him in college. He will be breaking apples in a better place. Rest In Peace to a legend. pic.twitter.com/Jm53MBthMs

— Spencer Lee (@LeeSpencerlee36) December 26, 2020

Rest In Peace to the Legendary Dan Hodge. I’m honored to have shared this moment with you, and to have you present me a trophy with both of our names on it. Wrestling is better because of you. pic.twitter.com/Mok4cPdvOF

— Jordan Burroughs (@alliseeisgold) December 26, 2020

Danny Hodge passed away today. Danny was a champion and frontier in both amateur and pro wrestling, and one of the reasons I entered into pro wrestling. He paved the way for amateurs to make the transition. Thank you Mr Hodge! #RIPMrHodge! https://t.co/XU7Vqe1wwN

— Kurt Angle (@RealKurtAngle) December 26, 2020