Cedric McMillan, an American professional bodybuilder, died of a heart attack. He was 44 years old.
McMillan was reported to have died of a heart attack while exercising on a treadmill. His sponsor, Generation Icon supplement business Black Skull USA, verified his passing on Wednesday, Marca reported.
According to reports in the media, the superstar bodybuilder had been suffering from long-term COVID-19, which had caused heart problems, pneumonia, and other complications. However, the specifics of his heart problems are unknown to the general public.
"We regret to inform you that our friend and brother Cedric McMillan passed away today," Black Skull USA's Instagram post reads. "Cedric will be greatly missed as an athlete, comrade, friend, and father.
Final Messages
Bodybuilder Cedric McMillan's final Instagram pictures show several medicines piled up on his counter as he opened up about his health problems in the months leading up to his death.
"I've been having some issues for about four weeks now," he explained, adding that he wanted to clear up any health-related concerns.
He disclosed that he has been having stomach troubles since he tried to compete at the Legion show in Nevada back in October.
McMillan posted a video to his Instagram page on February 28, explaining the issues he was having to manage after contracting COVID-19. The champion bodybuilder said he cannot "keep food inside for some reason."
"It makes me a stupid hiccup, I hiccup all day and half the night and every time I eat or even drink water. It comes back up, nothing wants to stay inside", he said.
McMillan then revealed that a doctor had advised him to quit the show, and he showed his fans his medicine-filled counter. "Four weeks ago I went to the doctor again and they recommended that I do not do the Arnold Classic,"
The bodybuilder spoke out about a near-death experience in December 2021, saying he had been experiencing breathing issues after being infected with the COVID-19 virus.
The breathing issue eventually had him hospitalized for pneumonia, and he was placed on life support, and he later said of the ordeal, "I was almost dead."
Posts on social media from fellow athletes, experts, and fans also began pouring in for the late bodybuilder, though his family has not yet released a statement as of present writing.
Fascination in Outstanding Physiques
As a kid, McMillan was captivated by strong bodies, and he drew comic characters with incredible muscular bodies, per The Sun. He was inspired by Arnold Schwarzenegger, especially after seeing him in the movie Conan the Barbarian.
McMillan began exercising when he was thirteen years old when his mother bought him a weight set. It wasn't long before he realized he had great bodybuilding genetics as well as a passion for the sport.
The Arnold Sports Festival, which organized the 2017 Arnold Classic bodybuilding competition, paid tribute to McMillan, also saying that it was "heartbroken" by the death of the bodybuilder.
McMillan won several titles and became a "star in the world of bodybuilding and fitness," according to the post, while also serving in the US Army for more than 20 years, rising to the rank of Sergeant First Class, as reported by CNN.