Benjamin F. Roller was a professional wrestler.

Benjamin Roller was the first ever wrestler to take on The Great Gama's challenge, losing first 1 minute and 40 seconds, the second time he took it, he lost in 9 minutes and 10 seconds.

"Dr. B.F. Roller," Seattle Mail and Herald, December 22, 1906, 12.

Born in Illinois in 1876, Dr. Roller was brought up on a farm. He graduated from Du Pauw University, completing the seven years’ course in five years. While there he was captain and coach of the track team and football team, and was pronounced by the Indianapolis and Chicago papers the best football player in the central states.
He represented the Chicago Athletic Association against that of New York, and broke the world’s record in discus throwing, and made 148 feet 6 inches with a 16-pound hammer.

Dr. Roller graduated from the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania with the highest honors, winning a Saunder’s prize of $100 in gold.

He used athletics as a means of getting his education by teaching wrestling and playing football… Coming to Seattle in 1904 Dr. Roller accepted a professorship in the University of Washington, delivering lectures on physical culture and hygiene and also having the direction of all the athletic work of the University and the Seattle Athletic Club. He resigned his position in the University for the practice of his profession [wrestling].

Profile

Birthday: 1876

Date of Death: April 19, 1933

Hometown: Seattle, Washington

Professional debut: 1906

Previous identities: Doc Roller, Dr. Benjamin F. Roller