Bodybuilding Community Reacts To The Passing of Cedric McMillan

The bodybuilding community paid their tribute to the late Cedric McMillan. The 44-year-old bodybuilder tragically passed away on April 12^th. FitnessVolt first reported this news. The news of McMillan’s passing was also posted by his sponsor Black Skull USA on their Instagram account. As of now, the reasons behind Cedric McMillan’s passing are not known. 

UPDATE: According to Patty McMillan, Cedric’s wife, other outlets reported ‘incorrect information’ regarding the death of Cedric. She has since cleared the air by stating, “Cedric’s cause of death is unknown at this time. It did not occur on a treadmill, nor is it known to be the result of past COVID or vaccinations.”

Besides building muscles, Cedric also served in the United States Army. He earned his IFBB Pro status in 2009 after winning overall at the 2009 NPC Nationals.

The 44-year-old bodybuilder is best known for his 2017 Arnold Classic win. However, the last few years of his life were marked with different health issues. In spite of not winning the qualifier show, Cedric McMillan had received a special invite to compete at the 2019 Olympia and finished seventh. 

His final competitive win came at the 2019 Romania Muscle Fest Pro Men’s Bodybuilding. It qualified him for the 2020 Olympia. However, he had to remain on the sidelines due to injuries and serious health complications over the next year and a half. McMillan returned as a guest poser at the 2021 NPC Armed Forces Nationals and shed light on things that kept him on the sidelines for such a long time.

McMillan was expected to compete at the 2022 Arnold Classic but had to pull out of the competition due to health issues. McMillan’s tragic passing has taken away one more precious gem from the sport of bodybuilding. However, he was a respected and beloved figure in the sport and here are some of the reactions from bodybuilding community to his unfortunate death.

Bodybuilding community reacts to Cedric McMillan’s passing

Brandon Curry

It’s been a long day since hearing the news of the passing of @cedricmcmillan this morning. I had to be honest I didn’t know what to say and I didn’t have any memories in my phone to post, though Cedric and I made plenty of memories traveling together with Scitec.

I went to the google machine and saw this picture. This picture says it all. Good times and silliness. Yes, Cedric had a unique out going personality. You never really knew what was going on in that head of his till he decided to let it out. Often causing a laughter or maybe a bit of embarrassment. Never a dull moment to say the least if he was not under something taking a nap.

I will never forget my first time meeting Cedric back stage at one of our first Arnold Classics. Just two new guys getting to know one another. After talking with him for a while back stage he ask me was I nervous. I said, “no.” He said, “quit lying.” I had to confirm to him that I really was not nervous. Then he confessed that he was. The beautiful thing about it was you would never know it when he stepped on stage. He loved bodybuilding no doubt. Bodybuilding will miss you bro and I will miss you too. Time to rest. Condolences to the family and friends.

Nathan De Asha

“Dam bro @cedricmcmillan another one gone far to soon.

You was always the first to say hello and the one to give advice that I’ll always cherish. Mr classic you changed the game.

Glad I got to know you and share the stage with a living legend.

You will always be remembered bro. Praying for you family and loved ones,” Nathan DeAsha wrote in the caption to his post.

Joseph Mackey

 

“@cedricmcmillan I love you big brother. I always called you big bro and I was known as lil bro.
We just spoke a couple weeks ago and you always reached out to me at all times to give me words of encouragement and to express real shit with me at any given time you felt it was necessary.

There’s a lot of fake people in this world and damn sure in this industry but you were one of the real ones and I always had nothing but love and respect for you.

This truly breaks my heart and I wish this was a bad dream and not reality.

@cedricmcmillan I’m sorry. My condolences to his family at such a tragic loss,” Joseph Mackey wrote in the caption to his post.

Kai Greene

“Feeling uneasy with the news of your sudden departure from this dimension to the next. @cedricmcmillan was a father, a friend, a competitor, a man of uniform, a man of many hats who always knew how to make other people laugh and make everyone around him feel like family.

This is how I will remember you my Brother.
Rest In Peace Champ🙏🏾” Kai Greene wrote in the caption to his post.

Flex Wheeler

I had the honor to interview Cedric a few years ago right after he won the 2017 Arnold Classic. Today we said goodbye to this wonderful human being.

Plenty of people will be speculating over the next few days about many things, and that’s their right. I choose to simply remember this generous, FUNNY, and thoughtful person that also chose to serve our country in uniform.

He was a precious life, a family member, and a great friend, and that is all that really matters.

Cedric, I will see you again my friend.

Barbara Menage

“RIP @cedricmcmillan
What an honor to have meet him in 2017, Ferigno Legacy Pro Show
A man with a huge heart🙏🏾🙏🏾

A thought for his familly

RIP,” Barbara Menage wrote in the caption to her post.

Dexter Jackson

“As I’m sure most of y’all have heard. @cedricmcmillan has passed. 😥 I was just on the phone with him a couple days ago and now he’s gone. 🤦🏾‍♂️ So hard to believe. One of the nicest guys I know. Big Ced you’re already missed and it’s guna be sad not seeing you around brother. May God bless you and your beautiful family. We love you brother!💔 R.I.P bro! 🙏🏾” Dexter Jackson wrote in the caption to his post.

Milos Sarcev

“Saying goodbye is one of the hardest things to do, especially when you realise – you will never see that person again…and have more opportunities to talk/interact… Cedric was very much loved, appreciated and respected by all of us…being such a classy and lovable human being…and considered by all of us to be THE most talented bodybuilder of the Generation with Mr Olympia written all over him…Many of us in the industry, and even competitors competing against him wanted him to put things together and show up at his all time best and really reach his full potential. We all truly did….and that says it all. My sincere condolences to his family and loved ones. RIP Cedric 🙏🏻❤️. You are forever loved,” Milos Sarcev wrote in the caption to his post.

James Hollingshead

“One in a million x,” James Hollingshead wrote in the caption to his post.

Dana Linn Bailey

“It’s incredible all the relationships I’ve made and built in this sport throughout all the years. So many incredibly talented and unique humans. This 2012, guest posing at the New Jersey State Championship with @cedricmcmillan @flexatronrhoden @theebostonmass and @juandieselmorel . Such a cool memory fighting the stage with all these guys trying to hold my own against these monsters. I’m glad I have this. You can see the true comradery of the sport of bodybuilding. And this makes me smile.

But very tragically I’ll never see two of these guys ever again. We lost another fxcking legend. Cedric was such an entertainer on and off stage. Always telling jokes. Always making you laugh. There have been so many times where I’ve actually peed myself around him, because he was just that funny. To your family and your military family my deepest thoughts and prayers.

To you, Cedric and Shawn, I’m am so honored to have known you both and honored that I got to grace the stage with you on several occasions…. Even though you didn’t let me steal the show lol. ❤️. You both will be remembered always and Legends forever. RIP Ced & Shawn 💔

To everyone reading, life is too fxcking short and so unpredictable…make the most out of every single day of your life. Be happy, chase dreams and conquer fxcking goals. Live hard AF,” Dana Linn Bailey wrote in the caption to her post.

Sergio Oliva Jr

“So many people attacked him and did YouTube videos talking about him pulling out of shows and/or looking bad all while no one listened to him when he said he was hurting. He told me backstage at Legion he stopped breathing at the hospital and they brought him back. And when I asked him why do the show still he said he didn’t want to let the ones that believed in him down…….
Only thing that helps me with this is knowing Shawn and him are up there talking shit and pulling pranks on other people in heaven. #RIP,” Sergio Oliva Jr. wrote in the caption to his post.

Nick Walker

“R.i.p @cedricmcmillan,” Nick Walker wrote in the caption to his post.

Juan Morel

“R.I.P. @cedricmcmillan another one gone to soon 🙏🏽,” Juan Morel wrote in the caption to his post.

Stanimal De Longeaux

“💪🏼💥RIP Legend💥💪🏼
True tragedy to hear the passing of @cedricmcmillan, one of my favorite physique of recent years of bodybuilding. Classic lines with open size… I’m glad I got to share the stage with you last year at the @legionsportsfest and grateful for our chat backstage. You told me you were battling some health issues after testing positive to covid earlier in the year… I can’t believe this is the end of the road for you, may your Rest In Peace Cedric, and my condolences to your family and close ones, you will be missed 🙏🏼🕊,” Stanimal De Longeaux wrote in the caption to his post.

Leroy Walker

“REST WELL… REST IN ETERNAL PEACE @cedricmcmillan …. Legendary words from a great one. #faith #legendary #humle #payitforward,” Leroy Walker wrote in the caption to his post.

Steve Kuclo

“Very sadden to hear the news of the passing of an awesome person, family man, hero and bodybuilder @cedricmcmillan . I’ve been competing with Cedric for over 10 years and always had the best times back stage and photoshoots together. He loved life and the sport he poured his life into. Rest In Peace brother!” Steve Kuclo wrote in the caption to his post.

Patrick Moore

“So many things I could say about Ced. Made me feel at home my first @mrolympiallc. I remember being so nervous and he said “You want this right? Get your ass up here!” From there, we would go back and forth jokingly taking shots online lol, to chatting through texts. Really a solid athlete and an even better human being. I was fortunate enough to stand right next to him on stage one last time @legionsportsfest. Gone way way too soon.😢💔🙏🏽,” Patrick Moore wrote in the caption to his post.

Foud Abiad

“I’m so numb to this by now. I’ve dealt with so much loss in the last two years it’s overwhelming.
I just want to say a couple things about Cedric. He was so talented, so important for us all and he didn’t even know it.
He was so hard on himself, he didn’t know he was the leader in any group he walked with. He thought you had to win the big show to be the leader but he was without even trying.
He always did it his way, always commanded respect, always brought everyone together as a team, his years in the military were evident that way.
Even winning the Arnold he brought us altogether as if we had all won. Not a selfish bone in his body.
A man of so many talents it was ridiculous. The tank tops we’re wearing in these photos, he sewed them from scratch!
We didn’t like the cut of our Scitec tanks so Cedric made them from scratch and had them printed for us before the expo one year. He didn’t just make one for himself, he included all of us.
He was honestly the kindest soul and it hurts to think of losing such a wonderful person that cared so much for others.
We didn’t talk often but when we did I was always happy to hear from him.
The last photo was a text from him just a couple weeks ago. He literally reach out just to tell me how proud he was of me. I can’t believe he’s gone.
I love bodybuilding but I’m lost today. It’s hard to have passion for something that keeps taking the people I admire & care about away from me. There has to be a better way to do this thing we all love. Something has to change.
😢
Cedric used to sign his autograph and put his nickname beneath it “the one”. I always thought it meant he was THE ONE who was going to change the game and bring back aesthetics.
I would like to think he was the start of it because Arnold loved his physique and from there the ball started rolling,” Foud Abiad wrote in the caption to his post.

Ben Chow

“My heart is so very sad ❤️
RIP you great Men,” Ben Chow wrote in the caption to his post.

Shawn Ray

“Cedric McMillan thank you for your service to our county and condolences to your family.
🇺🇸🙏🏽💪🏾
It was a pleasure to watch you in the Winners Circle where you belonged in Germany & Romania years ago.💪🏾
Rest in Power Champion,” Shawn Ray wrote in the caption to his post.

Arnold Sports Festival official Instagram account

Our entire family at the Arnold Sports Festival is heartbroken to learn of the passing of 2017 Arnold Classic Champion Cedric McMillan.

Known for his larger than life personality, his infectious smile, a gentle heart, and a sense of humor that was loved by fellow competitors and fans alike, Cedric will be deeply missed.

While Cedric’s competitive accomplishments, which included multiple professional wins alongside his 2017 Arnold Classic title, made him a star in the world of bodybuilding and fitness, the career he was most proud of was his 20+ years of selfless service to his country in the United States Army, where he achieved the rank of Sergeant First Class in July of 2021.

Above all, Cedric McMillan was a husband and a father, and we send our most heartfelt condolences to his family during this incredibly difficult time.

Arash Rahbar

“I’m at a loss for words. Today we lost another one of our brothers in Bodybuilding.
@cedricmcmillan was an outstanding bodybuilder and human being. A truly humble champion and gentlemen. If you weren’t laughing at his jokes you were at awe of his timeless and magnificent physique.
Cedric’a physique is one that statues are made of.
You will be missed brother.
Ready in Peace,” Arash Rahbar wrote in the caption to his post.

IFBB Professional League Italy

Greg Doucette

“Rest in peace to another great individual in Bodybuilding. You will be missed @cedricmcmillan,” Greg Doucette wrote in the caption to his post.

Terrence Ruffin

“I met Cedric back in 2016. Most pros didn’t give me the time of day. Cedric did. He took me through a workout and taught me how to pose cool for pics 😂. At times he was a complicated man, but he was man enough to admit his faults. Beyond all that though, he was a kind and genuine person. RIP @cedricmcmillan,” Terrence Ruffin wrote in the caption to his post.

Lionel Beyeke

“I don’t even have words to describe my pain. One of the others is leaving very soon. This is really sad news. My thoughts are with his family and his children and loved ones..” Lionel Beyeke wrote in the caption to his post.

Maxx Charles

“RIP to my homie @cedricmcmillan
Cedric was one of the very few people I could call a close friend. Last time we spoke he told me he was feeling better with the complications he was having. Getting this news today was shocking and unexpected.
Being on the road with Cedric and see how he treated people, I can tell you he was a genuinely a nice guy. Always had time for everyone. You will be missed by all of us big homie.
#rip #cedricmcmillan #heaven,” Max Charles wrote in the caption to his post.

Breon Ansley

“I’m shocked and very sad! You will be dearly missed brother! I appreciate your friendship, your advice, courage & service for our country!! Gone far too soon! Rest In Peace brother! @cedricmcmillan,” Breon Ansley wrote in the caption to his post.

Josh Lenartowicz

“Rest In Peace @cedricmcmillan what a massive loss, heart goes out to his family. You were two different people on the stage and off the stage and if you knew him off the stage it was a special feeling, he would open up and you understand why he was those two different people. We had a strong friendship, we fell out, we made up, we had some strong battles against each other where they would always put us next to each other to entertain the crowd so we could have fun and most of the time he would win but life’s not about the stage the love is in the family and that’s what matters most and it’s why my heart goes out to them,” Josh Lenartowicz wrote in the caption to his post. 

Helle Trevino

“So sad. RIP my friend 🙏🏼❤️

Repost from @tgflex_1
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Cedric, I cannot believe that you are gone. Your uniqueness and quiet presence will be dearly missed. I will always remember our heartfelt conversations along with your humble demeanor and compassionate outlook on life, especially when it pertained to children. R.I.P., I pray that you are already experiencing champion status in Heaven.
#TheOne @cedricmcmillan,” Helle Trevino wrote in the caption to her post.

Angela Borges

Lee Haney

“It’s with a heavy heart that I received the sad news of Cedric Mcmillian passing. The first time I saw him on stage as a guest Poser at the 2010 Upstate Bodybuilding Championships, tears was brought to my eyes. Because what I was witnessing was the return of Excalibur the “King of Physiques”.
The world of Bodybuilding will forever miss him🙏

@cedricmcmillan ❤️Lee Haney wrote in the caption to his post.”

Mamdouh ‘Big Ramy’ Elssbiay

“R.i.p we will missed you as a brother and champ . God bless your soul 🙏,” Big Ramy wrote in the caption to his post.

Kevin Levrone

“Cedric won the 2015 Levrone Pro Classic show based in Gdańsk, Poland. We spent time together talking about life outside of bodybuilding. I will never forget his compassion towards others. He @cedricmcmillan will be greatly missed. Condolences to the family. R.I.P Champ 🙏🏼 #gonetoosoon,” Kevin Levrone wrote in the caption to his post.

Rich Gaspari

“It’s with great sadness to hear of the loss of @cedricmcmillan What was said is he has a heart attack. I send my condolences to his family and thank you for your service. #rip,” Rich Gaspari wrote in the caption to his post.

Evan Centopani

“I can’t believe it. To say that I’m shocked is an understatement… I’m blown away. Just over a month ago we spoke at length. If you told me it was going to be the last time we’d talk, I would have never believed you.

Some people are such a way that you can’t help but smile as soon as you see their face or hear their voice. It’s not like that with many people but that’s how it was with Cedric. Cedric’s personality was enormous; he was kind, gentle and hilarious in equal parts. He competed at the highest level in our sport and will be remembered as a bodybuilding legend. Look at that photo of him; even someone completely removed from this sport can identify how impressive it is to achieve that physical form. But as someone who knew him I can tell you that HE was far more impressive than his physique. I can’t believe I’m writing this. RIP ❤️🇺🇲,” Evan Centopani wrote in the caption to his post.

Cedric left behind a wife and his three children. Team FitnessVolt, sends its sincere condolences to his friends and family at this difficult time.

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