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Flex Injured! Mentzer found DEAD!
I orginally was finishing up my report on the real deal scoop on my "retirement," the health problems people say I have, what went down at the N.O.C., and whether or not I am even doing the 2001 Olympia.
But I ended up getting injured. What happened? Am I out of the Olympia for sure? I've created an updated report for you guys!
Check out my Media Blitz for all of the answers!
Legendary champion bodybuilder, Mike Mentzer, and his close brother, Ray, who is was also a great bodybuilder back in the day, are dead
It has been confirmed, guys. Mike Mentzer, perhaps the uncrowned 1980 Mr. Olympia and infamous industry personality, died in his sleep last Saturday on June 9, 2001.
Even more disturbing was the death of Ray Mentzer, Mike's only brother and roommate, who died only three days after finding his deceased brother. Yes, Ray was the one who found Mike.
This is very tragic, man. A lot of rumors are going around about this, like Mike allegedly being a closet alcoholic and this somehow lead to his demise, and then Ray allegedly committing suicide over the grief of Mike's death. I cannot confirm either of these allegations...don't know if I even want to.
I have been an acquaintance of Mike's for years. He used to do his personal training - always in the Heavy Duty style he made famous - where I train at Gold's Gym, Venice. I remember seeing pictures of Ray and perhaps even meeting him if my memory serves me right. They were almost identical twins. I found that kind of precious. If you have a brother, you have a partner for life, bro.
Upon hearing how Ray moved in to live with Mike, I was deeply touched by this. Mike had a few enemies and a ton of critics in this business, but he always told the truth as he saw it. He may have come across abrasive at times, but hey, you knew where the guy stood. I have to respect that. In a business full of crooks and liars, Mike was one in a million in a million ways.
I had heard Ray was in kidney failure, and Mike had some serious heart complications. I found it tender that they stuck by each other to the very end.
If Ray really did commit suicide, I hope God has forgiven him so he may join Mike (who himself did not believe in God), and the rest of their loved ones up in Heaven.
I wonder if we'll hear steroids being attributed to these two deaths? Whatever. I mean, while no one knows what long term steroid abuse will do in 15 years after you quit (and what Mike and Ray did back in the "old days" is nothing compared to what's done today, anyway), bodybuilders are not immune to the illnesses other people get. But, its hard to tell. Either way, all of us at Team Flex wish the best to Mike, Ray and his family and friends. He will be missed.
On a lighter note (if possible), check out our Prizes page to see the release of my new contest! Want to win a paid trip to the Arnold Classic and hang with me? Check it out, Master P!
Ahh, hell. I can't really get into promotional mode after what happened to the Mentzer's. You know what I mean? This is just a sad day for our community. Straight up, I pray some of Mike's "enemies," which the majority are made up of entities who dislike him because of his honesty (real reason to diss someone, eh?), let him rest in peace. It's hard to believe, but I bet some entity in our business is glad Mike is gone, and that makes me sick! Like he did something so bad? Leave the man be.
If you guys only knew, as Shawn Ray recently wrote, what lies beneath in this sport... I'll add to that by saying what lies beneath is home to only one "person," and this "person" has his evil grips on many players in this industry.
I'm out, man. I have to go. I've said my peace.
Later,
Ken
Originally posted by PB&J
I remember seeing Gary Strydom???? from the wrestling BB federation, they showed him in a mag a few years later, he was down to 160lbs.
Missed that!Originally posted by Mudge
Yep, I corrected myself after![]()
Originally posted by SquatFreak
I wonder if ALL that juice IS the reason for his and the afore mentioned champs' decline. IF it is I'm flushing the shit I got NOW. The Beckles comment is right on. I don't C how anyone is their 70's can use signigicant amts of juice and not suffer something. Anyone got a current pic of Beckles?
Originally posted by SolidToTheCORE
Tom, is in fact small now. Don't be fooled he is in great shape and on a different path now. I saw him a couple months back at a ISSA seminar. He is a class act.
Originally posted by scotty
Not only did his physique come out of a bottle, he forgot where the gym was????