Dec 16, 2007 12:10 am US/Central
Wrestler Moonlights As Taxi Santa During Holidays
DALLAS (CBS 11 / TXA 21) ―
In December, Johnny Wicker gets more invitations for photos than for fare, but he likes it.
"Oh, they love it," says Wicker. "I usually get 25 to 30 pictures taken every day."
Wicker is a Dallas taxi driver who dresses up like Santa Claus. The 'Taxi Santa,' as some call him, is in his fifth year.
Wicker does it to honor the memory of his mother, who died on Christmas day in 1998.
He claims to be the only Santa-costumed cabbie in Dallas. He's also been a professional wrestler for three decades.
This year he says he has to wear a fake Santa beard because he lost his real beard in the ring. "Those dirty rasslers, they held me down and shaved my beard off. They're mean, ornery."
Trying to entertain seems to be at the core of all he does.
He says tips tend to be a little better at Christmas too, enough to keep up the costume and lights. Wicker has a steady list of clients who know to ask for him by name, but having Santa as your cabbie is a nice touch.
As a professional driver, 'Taxi Santa' also takes one thing very seriously: he reminds everyone not to drink and drive.
And besides, taking a taxi instead puts a little jingle in some cabbie's pocket.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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