Derek Springer/Anthony
Derek was always an interesting character on Getbig and elsewhere in the bodybuilding community. The dude was both crazy and fearless. He did and said what he pleased and took the consequences. So he lived his dream and for many years everything seemed sweet. He didn't take shit from anyone and handed the same out by the shovel full. He never backed away from a confrontation and agreed to meet various internet tough guys to sort things out. Yes, when you are outspoken like Derek you make some enemies....but many supporters, too, because bodybuilding is an asskissing cult where insecure blokes lift weights and do whatever it takes to win titles, etc. Derek was on some radio shows and was such an interesting character that people were entertained when he let loose with all manner of obscenities. The confrontation with Goodrum was a classic. Those two seemed to hate each other as only Venom Vince can both instigate and sustain. Instead of fighting when they met at the Olympia several years ago, Derek took pity on Goodrum and spit on him instead of punching him. That putdown will remain forever on Goodrum's forehead! In the end, no one won because Derek didn't really live long enough to make his words have validity. He told Goodrum he would rather be himself than what Goodrum was. Those were strong words. So Melvin retorted that Derek would soon be dead and that was an accurate prediction.
When I remember how Derek conducted himself on Getbig I really wonder why so many seemed to dislike and even hate him. Derek knew this and even posted a video to all the haters who live in their mom's basement. He singlehandedly dispatched the Godfather from Getbig and that showed good detective work. Well, maybe he had some help. The point is Derek feared no man and he survived on the forums no matter what anyone said about him. The plain truth is very few on Getbig post as themselves. We all knew who Freakycalves was. Derek had a past where he posed for men for money. The flotsam equated that with gay4pay. Derek denied it was any such thing. Who knows and who cares? It was many years ago. The trouble is whatever was done in the past can linger forever if you are a controversial person on the net. I always found Derek to be outrageously funny. He did know how to have a good laugh and he could laugh at himself. I found him to be a likable bloke.
Let's talk about Derek's physique. The guy sure looked good in the past. Before he died we really couldn't tell because he became an illustrated man with all those tattoos. Why some guys cover a nice build with tattoos is a mystery to me but as Lee Priest said he just likes them. People accused Derek of using oil to increase the dimensions of his muscles. Perhaps he did. He admitted this year that he had made several mistakes and some of them impacted on his health. The flotsam felt Derek was crazy to the end because he tried to sustain the size of his muscles. The sideshow that was Derek ground to a crawl this year when he had to be hospitalized for serious problems. Once cancer was found in his liver things looked bad. He then had to postpone any kidney transplant and Derek never survived to get that gift. What a shame.
I suppose we can look at Derek's life and consider him foolish. Well, the cult known as Getbig embraces taking shortcuts to the buff look. Derek just took more risks and sustained them much longer than was healthy. We saw how he valued his family and in the end Derek was just another guy who lifted weights to look better. I don't think anyone should blame him for his short life. He took risks and knew there were side effects. Derek more or less died for us bitches! Rest in peace, Derek Springer.
