On April 12, 2022, sad news broke that the well-loved and respected professional bodybuilder Cedric McMillan died at the young age of 44. Sources say McMillian suffered from a heart attack while working out on a treadmill.
The exact cause of death is yet to be determined, but McMillan had been open about the health battles he’d been fighting over the past few years, especially his brush with death last year after contracting Covid 19.
Cedric McMillan Dies At 44 Years Old
The tragic news of Cedric McMillan’s death has sent shockwaves throughout the bodybuilding community. Although the full details haven’t been released, McMillan likely died of a heart attack while working out on a treadmill.
McMillan’s friend and bodybuilding insider, Nick Trigili, detailed some of the health issues that McMillan had been facing. In addition, Trigili wanted to dispel some rumors about the vaccine potentially contributing to his death.
In 2017 McMillian had chronic pneumonia, and since then, he never felt quite like himself. In 2021 McMillan caught Covid and almost died. McMillan said he was down to 10% capacity of his heart working. The combination of pneumonia and then Covid did a number on McMillan’s heart and lung capacity.
Cedric also suffered from a broken collarbone and broken hand, amongst other health issues, which forced him to skip out on the Olympia in 2020 and 2021.
The bodybuilding world was eager to see McMillan return to the stage earlier this year at the 2022 Arnold Classic, but unfortunately, he had to withdraw due to some stomach and hiccup issues, likely because of ulcers. This led to McMillan being unable to train and eat properly.
It seems like all these prior health issues McMillan was facing ultimately played a role in his passing. Cedric McMillan’s death is a true loss for the community and the sport.
He was known for treating everyone with respect, inspiring others, serving his country, having an unmatched work ethic, and being an all-around great guy. This is a huge loss for everyone who knew or followed Cedric.
WHO IS CEDRIC MCMILLAN?
Born in 1977, McMillan fell in love with the iron plates as a young teenager. He knew that weightlifting would play a significant role in his life. After graduating from high school, McMillan enlisted in the US Army.
Cedric continued to pursue his passion for bodybuilding while serving the country, and in 2007 he competed in his first show, the NPC South Carolina. McMillan won his first show in the heavyweight division and never looked back.
By 2009 McMillan won the NPC Nationals and then followed that up with some big wins at the 2011 Orlando Show of Champions and the 2012 New York Pro.
McMillan’s biggest win came in 2017 when he took home the coveted title of Arnold Classic Men’s Open division. The man himself, Arnold Schwarzenegger, praised McMillan’s physique and thought others should try to emulate his look.
Schwarzenegger kept McMillan in mind for years and even featured Cedric in part one of the Rise Of A Champion series used to promote the 2022 Arnold Classic.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
Cedric McMillan was a role model for many; he will never be forgotten for all he accomplished and for his influence on the direction of bodybuilding. SET FOR SET sends its condolences to the McMillan family and friends. Rest in peace to “The One” Cedric McMillan.
Kiel DiGiovanni
Author