Brian Blair has been a resident of Hillsborough County since 1967. He married Tampa native Toni Sabella 24 years ago in a South Tampa ceremony. Their children Brett, 18, and Bradley, 15, attend public school in Hillsborough County.
As a child, Brian's family relocated from Gary, Indiana to the Tampa area. He attended Egypt Lake Elementary School, Webb Junior High School, and Tampa Bay Tech High School. Brian earned 8 letters in four sports in high school including 3 in football and 3 in wrestling. He was voted Best All-Around in the senior notables as well as achieving Honor Roll status in the classroom. Excelling academically as well as in sports, Brian attended St. Leo College for one semester before earning a football scholarship at the University of Louisville.
An excellent athlete with God-given ability, Brian's first love was wrestling. He had the opportunity to enter the sport early when he accepted an offer from Tampa icon, Eddie Graham, to join Tampa-based Championship Wrestling from Florida. He excelled at professional wrestling and became one of the biggest stars in the country. For several years, he wrestled with the largest organizations in the world, including the WWF. In later years, Brian was perhaps best known as one of the Killer Bees TV tag-team, along with partner Jim Brunzell.
Even at the pinnacle of his career, Brian kept working toward his long-term goal of financial security. Brian was fiscally responsible with his wrestling earnings and soon started Blair's Health and Fitness, Inc., d.b.a. Gold's Gym, in 1989. With the support and assistance of wife Toni, Brian built this facility into a multi-location business and managed a multi-million dollar budget. During his ten years as a Gold's Gym Licensee, his franchise received more achievement awards than any other operation in the 500-plus Gold's Gym world-wide network.
Brian was elected Hillsborough County Commissioner, District 6, in 2004.
Brian and his family have been active members of Idlewild Baptist Church since 1997. His hobbies include family activities, fishing and golf.
Brian devotes his time to the community. He has over 7,000 documented hours in community service, including managing and coaching baseball at Forest Hills Pony League. He speaks as part of the Great American Teach-In, American Education Week and other events. Click for a complete list of his community activities.