Bodybuilding Champion Chad McCrary Dies at the Age of 49

Chad McCrary, who won first place in wheelchair bodybuilding events including the Lone Star State and the Arnold Classic, died on January 2. He was 49.

Chad McCrary, a bodybuilder who continued to compete after being paralyzed from the waist down in a motorcycle accident in 2005, died on January 2. He was 49.

Lance McCrary, the former bodybuilding champion’s brother, broke the news on social media by publishing a message from Jim McMahon, CEO of Mutant, the sports fitness firm that sponsored Chad.

“Like everybody, I’m very sad and stunned,” Jim stated in the Jan. 12 video. “It’s a hard one.”

Jim went on to discuss Chad’s influence on the sports community, saying, “What I’m always going to remember is that what we all got to experience, in our group at least, with him, was simply camaraderie. “Having good friends and camaraderie is always something that we all strive for in life.”

“I don’t have much to say; just my heart hurts,” he said at the end of his remarks. “That’s the simplest way to say it.” Peace and kindness to everyone. Thank you, Chad.

Lance replied to Jim’s warm thoughts in the post’s comments.

“Jim, my brother was so proud to be part of Mutant nation,” he stated in an email. “He was on top of the world of you when you sponsored him.”

Lance commented on his brother’s legacy, saying, “He was genuinely a physique builder in his Beast mode, and his dedication was unsurpassed. Nonetheless, he could make you laugh and provide valuable counsel. “Just an all-around good guy.”

His cause of death has yet to be revealed.

Chad’s bodybuilding career came to a halt in 2005, when the 29-year-old tried a 100-foot triple jump during a motocross race and crashed, paralyzing him from the waist down. Ultimately, the Texas native decided to continue participating in order to “try and inspire others.”

“I was already involved in bodybuilding and just carried it over to the wheelchair,” Chad told Wheelchair Bodybuilding. “Just kept lifting and had to modify most all standing exercises to a seated or lying position.”

Chad went on to compete as a wheelchair bodybuilder for almost a decade, winning first place in several events, including the Heart of Texas Heavyweight, Lone Star State, and Arnold Classic competitions.

In addition to bodybuilding, the motivating athlete served as a motivational speaker and paramedic for LifeNet and the Red River Army Depot. He explained his extraordinary motivation as a desire to continually present the finest version of himself.

“[I want to] show myself and everyone else we don’t have to settle or crumble under adversity,” he told Wheelchair Bodybuilding. “You can do whatever you apply yourself to do if that’s truly what you want to do!”