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Getbig Main Boards => Gossip & Opinions => Topic started by: Sherief Shalaby on September 15, 2008, 07:52:09 AM

Title: Why did Lee Haney retire at a young age??..
Post by: Sherief Shalaby on September 15, 2008, 07:52:09 AM
Why do u think Lee Haney chose to retire in 1991 when he was still 31??..

- Was he bored of bodybuilding after breaking Arnold's record??..

- Or he didn't want to take the risk of competing against Dorian in 1992??.. Put in mind that he achieved his best ever shape at Mr. Olympia 91 but hardly beat the new comer Dorian (by only 4 points).. Sure he was expecting Dorian to improve in 92..
Title: Re: Why did Lee Haney retire at a young age??..
Post by: Benny B on September 15, 2008, 07:54:03 AM
Intelligence.  ;)
Title: Re: Why did Lee Haney retire at a young age??..
Post by: Meso_z on September 15, 2008, 07:54:17 AM
Why do u think Lee Haney chose to retire in 1991 when he was still 31??..

- Was he bored of bodybuilding after breaking Arnold's record??..

- Or he didn't want to take the risk of competing against Dorian in 1992??.. Put in mind that he achieved his best ever shape at Mr. Olympia 91 but hardly beat the new comer Dorian (by only 4 points).. Sure he was expecting Dorian to improve in 92..


Look at that chest in the 1st pic! omg  :o :o :o :o :o :o
Title: Re: Why did Lee Haney retire at a young age??..
Post by: oldman on September 15, 2008, 07:58:25 AM
Haney was a bodybuilder his whole life, he was a teenage america.  He did his thing and left healthy.  He is a spiritual man and had a family.  Our sport is selfish and only a few rise to the top and can make a real living at it.  Kidneys only last so long...
Title: Re: Why did Lee Haney retire at a young age??..
Post by: musclecenter on September 15, 2008, 08:05:14 AM
 Haney is the greatest bodybuilder ever !
(no distended gut,no tits.. and the most V-shape Mr.Olympia....)
Title: Re: Why did Lee Haney retire at a young age??..
Post by: BayGBM on September 15, 2008, 08:10:58 AM
Intelligence.  ;)

Exactly.  It was time for him to retire.  He did everything he wanted to do in bodybuilding: achieved security for himself and his family, beat Arnold's Mr.  O record, and left with his health and reputation intact.  Unlike many others, Haney had a full life.  Sure, he loved bodybuilding, but he had the perspective to know that there is more to life than pumping iron.  

Besides, after this cheesy photo, his reputation was sullied.  ;D
Title: Re: Why did Lee Haney retire at a young age??..
Post by: Purge_WTF on September 15, 2008, 08:12:22 AM
  He had done all that anyone could in pro-bodybuilding, and he probably knew that it was just a matter of (short) time before Dorian took over.
Title: Re: Why did Lee Haney retire at a young age??..
Post by: RZA on September 15, 2008, 08:17:41 AM
Dorian Yates. Haney felt the wind shifting. Or actually blowing harder in a direction which he helped establish somehow. Haney added mass to the game but still had classic features, something Yates didn't care for. Yates just went for strictly "objective" elements (Mass, conditioning,...). Haney had nothing to win, nothing to prove. Wise man.
Title: Re: Why did Lee Haney retire at a young age??..
Post by: MCWAY on September 15, 2008, 08:27:27 AM

Here we go again, with someone claiming that Haney retired, because of Yates.

What makes you think that Haney couldn’t have made more improvements as well? If I'm not mistaken, the two are fairly close in age.

And for the margin of victory, if my memory is correct, Yates only beat Haney in the muscularity round. The other rounds all went to Haney.

Also, keep in mind that Vince Taylor was heavily favored to win the Olympia in 1992.
Title: Re: Why did Lee Haney retire at a young age??..
Post by: RZA on September 15, 2008, 08:34:15 AM
Here we go again, with someone claiming that Haney retired, because of Yates.

What makes you think that Haney couldn’t have made more improvements as well? If I'm not mistaken, the two are fairly close in age.

And for the margin of victory, if my memory is correct, Yates only beat Haney in the muscularity round. The other rounds all went to Haney.

Also, keep in mind that Vince Taylor was heavily favored to win the Olympia in 1992.

And Yates showed up and crushed the competition. Haney himself said that he had never seen anything like Yates before. Haney could have improved "maybe". He did show up in great shape in '91 but that hadn"t been the case for a while ('88 and '89 had been controversial). I don't think Haney could have beaten '92 Yates even though I find Haney's physique more aesthetic by far.
Title: Re: Why did Lee Haney retire at a young age??..
Post by: dyslexic on September 15, 2008, 08:54:51 AM
Haney has always been gracious in the sport. I remember seeing him train his competitors. I can't imagine him even thinking about talking the way Kamali does...or acting like that type of person.


Title: Re: Why did Lee Haney retire at a young age??..
Post by: Jeffro on September 15, 2008, 08:58:33 AM
Look at that chest in the 1st pic! omg  :o :o :o :o :o :o
His chest is making Dorian's look like two flat pancakes in that shot. :o
Title: Re: Why did Lee Haney retire at a young age??..
Post by: Sherief Shalaby on September 15, 2008, 09:24:18 AM
Here we go again, with someone claiming that Haney retired, because of Yates.

What makes you think that Haney couldn’t have made more improvements as well? If I'm not mistaken, the two are fairly close in age.

And for the margin of victory, if my memory is correct, Yates only beat Haney in the muscularity round. The other rounds all went to Haney.

Also, keep in mind that Vince Taylor was heavily favored to win the Olympia in 1992.

I didn't say that.. I just asked every one 2 say his opinion.. Ys they were close in age but Yates was much hungrier with no sandows while Lee already had 8 at home.. I belive if Lee was still hungry 2 take more sandows he would compete in 1992.. I myself don't think Lee could gain more size coz from 84 till 91 he didn't do this so it was hard to expect him suddenly to do it after all these years.. Still if he competed in 92 and repeated the shape of 91 he could beat Yates again coz Yates in 92 was only 3 pounds heavier than in 91..
Title: Re: Why did Lee Haney retire at a young age??..
Post by: pumpster on September 15, 2008, 09:29:54 AM
Haney is the greatest bodybuilder ever !
(no distended gut,no tits.. and the most V-shape Mr.Olympia....)

Serious imbalances. 2/3s of physique the arms and legs, never matched the great torso. Yates-type imbalance, they both had that.

It was common sense to leave, nothing else to prove.

Besides which uncle Joe probably whispered to him as he does to all "winners" telling him that "it was time now" that the white hope was available to jack mag sales. Just as Serge Nubret her on getbig confirms the favoritism that's quite evident. Something like Arnold "winning" over Oliva in 70 and 72. ;) Also i suspect he preferred Yates' looks and blowjobs.
Title: Re: Why did Lee Haney retire at a young age??..
Post by: Petrucci on September 15, 2008, 09:34:42 AM
<classic getbig response> because he had no arms, subpar legs and would loose badly to yates on all the years to come....
</classic getbig response>

seriously, for me he only won so many trophies because he didnt had the same competition as Yates, or Coleman for instance...just IMHO
Title: Re: Why did Lee Haney retire at a young age??..
Post by: pumpster on September 15, 2008, 09:36:08 AM
<classic getbig response> because he had no arms, subpar legs and would loose badly to yates on all the years to come....
</classic getbig response>

seriously, for me he only won so many trophies because he didnt had the same competition as Yates, or Coleman for instance...just IMHO

Absolutely, he's the Michael Jordan of BB, never having beaten greatness.
Title: Re: Why did Lee Haney retire at a young age??..
Post by: Trev on September 15, 2008, 09:58:46 AM
Haney was pure class and could have gone on for another 10 years. Yeh, he'd have looked pretty much the same but would have been top 3 in the world until he was 40 easily. He got out when it suited him re his family and business.
Title: Re: Why did Lee Haney retire at a young age??..
Post by: local hero on September 15, 2008, 10:15:47 AM
only reason yates didnt come in more than 3lbs heavier is because his competition were much smaller, he stated that he did over diet for that very reason...
Title: Re: Why did Lee Haney retire at a young age??..
Post by: Sherief Shalaby on September 15, 2008, 10:26:08 AM
only reason yates didnt come in more than 3lbs heavier is because his competition were much smaller, he stated that he did over diet for that very reason...

I don't buy this and I don't belive him if he really said this silly reason.. Yates was always known 4 pushing himself to his limits.. He was always saying that his biggest competitor was Dorian Yates which meant his goal was to keep improving no matter how the others looked.. I red that the dramatic change in his size between 92 and 93 was mainly coz he was able to reach the most effective diet for his body..
Title: Re: Why did Lee Haney retire at a young age??..
Post by: Harley Buckshot on September 15, 2008, 10:30:13 AM
probably this little thing called health.... which not too many people are concerned about nowadayus
Title: Re: Why did Lee Haney retire at a young age??..
Post by: MuscleMcMannus on September 15, 2008, 10:31:56 AM
Haney was a bodybuilder his whole life, he was a teenage america.  He did his thing and left healthy.  He is a spiritual man and had a family.  Our sport is selfish and only a few rise to the top and can make a real living at it.  Kidneys only last so long...

Spiritual? He's a harcore Christian bible beater.  A hypocrite.  Unless the sleazy side of bodybuilding is why he got out of it.  Kind of like Ronnie.  Yeah real spiritual all the while shooting his ass up with boat loads of drugs and taking part in one of the most sleazy, narcissistic endeavors.  I'm sure Jesus loves bodybuilding.  LOL. 
Title: Re: Why did Lee Haney retire at a young age??..
Post by: local hero on September 15, 2008, 10:39:29 AM
I don't buy this and I don't belive him if he really said this silly reason.. Yates was always known 4 pushing himself to his limits.. He was always saying that his biggest competitor was Dorian Yates which meant his goal was to keep improving no matter how the others looked.. I red that the dramatic change in his size between 92 and 93 was mainly coz he was able to reach the most effective diet for his body..


not very hard to beleive, in seminars he's always said he tended to be over dieted just to make sure he was the hardest, always contest ready 4 weeks out...
Title: Re: Why did Lee Haney retire at a young age??..
Post by: Cleanest Natural on September 15, 2008, 11:04:07 AM
only guys who live vicariously through their paper idols want them to keep going ...

he achieved EVERYTHING...

smart move ..
Title: Re: Why did Lee Haney retire at a young age??..
Post by: dj181 on September 15, 2008, 11:09:00 AM
His chest is making Dorian's look like two flat pancakes in that shot. :o
All torso baby! 8)
Title: Re: Why did Lee Haney retire at a young age??..
Post by: Sherief Shalaby on September 15, 2008, 11:16:29 AM
only guys who live vicariously through their paper idols want them to keep going ...

he achieved EVERYTHING...

smart move ..

I agree.. Sure Ronnie hopes now he retired after his 8th sandow..
Title: Re: Why did Lee Haney retire at a young age??..
Post by: fearANDloathing on September 16, 2008, 04:51:39 AM
WTF? He won the title 8 consecutive times, more than anyone else! How man should he have gone for, 20 consecutive???
Unlike many Pro BBs, the man has a wife, children and A LIFE! He was a complete peerson not just a bodybuilder.
Geez what a question  ::)
Title: Re: Why did Lee Haney retire at a young age??..
Post by: m8 on September 16, 2008, 04:54:41 AM
Jeebus.
And Dorian.
Title: Re: Why did Lee Haney retire at a young age??..
Post by: MCWAY on September 16, 2008, 10:55:20 AM
WTF? He won the title 8 consecutive times, more than anyone else! How man should he have gone for, 20 consecutive???
Unlike many Pro BBs, the man has a wife, children and A LIFE! He was a complete peerson not just a bodybuilder.
Geez what a question  ::)

As I said, some folks are trying to convince folks and themselves that Haney retired, out of fear of Yates.
Title: Re: Why did Lee Haney retire at a young age??..
Post by: Stavios on September 16, 2008, 11:49:19 AM
brutal owning

(http://www.getbig.com/boards/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=234385.0;attach=274297;image)
Title: Re: Why did Lee Haney retire at a young age??..
Post by: BishopLord on September 16, 2008, 11:54:45 AM
I am very surprised to see all the positive comments regarding Haney!  If people can remember way back in the late 80's to 91, the exact opposite happened; Most people were saying he was given a 'gift' or whatever, when he won later Olympias (like Labrada was THAT much of threat?).  I for one am glad to see the positive comments for Haney.  Back in the days it was always, "his biceps are too small", "he didn't deserve to win #6", etc.

It's almost funny.  Haney, like Ronald Reagan, years after the fact he is now getting his just due.  Yeah Reagan wasn't a bodybuilder, but when he was President, he was trashed talked constantly.  Since his death, nothing but nice things are said about Reagan.
Title: Re: Why did Lee Haney retire at a young age??..
Post by: Stu on September 16, 2008, 12:10:53 PM
Nice grandma hair on the English dude...
Title: Re: Why did Lee Haney retire at a young age??..
Post by: Benny B on September 16, 2008, 12:26:33 PM
I am very surprised to see all the positive comments regarding Haney!  If people can remember way back in the late 80's to 91, the exact opposite happened; Most people were saying he was given a 'gift' or whatever, when he won later Olympias (like Labrada was THAT much of threat?).  I for one am glad to see the positive comments for Haney.  Back in the days it was always, "his biceps are too small", "he didn't deserve to win #6", etc.

It's almost funny.  Haney, like Ronald Reagan, years after the fact he is now getting his just due.  Yeah Reagan wasn't a bodybuilder, but when he was President, he was trashed talked constantly.  Since his death, nothing but nice things are said about Reagan.
I don't think most people were saying he was given gifts at all. There are always naysayers/complainers about placings, but the only Olympia that I recall being disputed by many was the so-called "natural Olympia" that many feel Labrada won. Haney was completely dominant during his era, in my opinion.
Title: Re: Why did Lee Haney retire at a young age??..
Post by: BayGBM on September 16, 2008, 12:30:12 PM
As I said, some folks are trying to convince folks and themselves that Haney retired, out of fear of Yates.

Are people really that stupid?  I dig Doz as much as the next guy, but he was not in Haney's league.  8 Olympias!  'nuff said. :-*
Title: Re: Why did Lee Haney retire at a young age??..
Post by: tendonitis on September 16, 2008, 01:16:51 PM
In Yates, Haney finally had a competitor who had a back that could compete with his own. 

Plus Yates was hungry and willing to push everything to the limit.

Haney did the smart thing.
Title: Re: Why did Lee Haney retire at a young age??..
Post by: dutchmanart on September 16, 2008, 01:17:54 PM
Intelligence.  ;)

I second that.  Lee Haney happened to be one of the nicest person that I've ever met.  He's always positive and very personable to his fans and just a genuine good guy.  Also a great example of what a christian should be.  He walks the talk.

Anyone who knows him will say the same thing.  He's also had the biggest freaking chest and traps that I've ever seen on a pro BB too.
Title: Re: Why did Lee Haney retire at a young age??..
Post by: donrhummy on September 16, 2008, 01:19:11 PM
Regardless of the judging, Dorian wasn't even close to Haney.
(http://www.schwarzenegger.it/mro/haney/lh109.jpg)

Compared to Haney, Dorian was pec-less.
(http://www.schwarzenegger.it/mro/haney/lh287.jpg)

his v-taper destroyed dorian's:
(http://www.schwarzenegger.it/mro/haney/lh204.jpg)
Title: Re: Why did Lee Haney retire at a young age??..
Post by: Bill Loguidice on September 16, 2008, 01:21:06 PM
I seem to recall at the time Haney stating that that would be his last Olympia and he came into the shape you would expect if he wanted to go out on a high note.  I think the Yates rise was coincidental, providing a real challenge in his final try, but Haney did win fair and square.  The only Olympia he shouldn't have won was the one someone earlier called the "natural Olympia", and in that case I agree it should have been Labrada.  It would be a much more interesting sport if the guy who should win, wins, rather than this "having to knock out the champion" nonsense (and even then, it doesn't always happen).  Imagine if Arnold lost in 80 or Franco in 81 or Haney once, or Yates twice, or Coleman twice, or Cutler once, etc.  I don't think it would have tarnished any of these guy's legacies in the least.  It's almost like the Olympia is judged the way it is because of precedent more so than any practical reasoning.
Title: Re: Why did Lee Haney retire at a young age??..
Post by: Neptuno on September 16, 2008, 01:24:40 PM
Lee Haney is the greatest ever.

The last Mr Olympia who people want to look like.
Title: Re: Why did Lee Haney retire at a young age??..
Post by: njflex on September 16, 2008, 01:26:08 PM
ALL TRUE ABOUT HANEY,PECS,BACK,TRAPS HUNG OFF FRAME AND JOINTS.YATES HAD GRANITE HARDNESS BUT DID NOT HAVE THAT LOOK EARLY ON.
Title: Re: Why did Lee Haney retire at a young age??..
Post by: Sherief Shalaby on September 16, 2008, 01:27:19 PM
Lee Haney is the greatest ever.

The last Mr Olympia who people want to look like.

If u mean ppl in general so it's not Lee Haney but may be Frank Zane..Not all ppl like 2 be 245 pound of hard rocks..
Title: Re: Why did Lee Haney retire at a young age??..
Post by: m8 on September 16, 2008, 01:29:18 PM
Lee Haney is the greatest ever.

The last Mr Olympia who people want to look like.

No one wants a distended middle section.
Dorian > Lee the jesus freak.
Title: Re: Why did Lee Haney retire at a young age??..
Post by: johnny1 on September 16, 2008, 07:05:48 PM
Lee Haney was every much as Dominating in the 1980s as Dorian was in the 1990s and Ronnie in 2000s, and as people have correcty said here @ the time there was alot of NEGITIVE talk about Lee, mostly about his biceps and to a certain degree his calves, the only MR OLYMPIA in my veiw i don,t think Lee DESERVED was the 1990 Show where Lee did not look good at all...in fact if memory serves me right MOST the bigger guys looked no good as well, ( i think it was actually DRUG tested that year for the first time)  only Lee Labrada and shawn ray looked on the money that year, regardless Lee Haney is still down in HISTORY as the Greatest Bodybuilder ever (jointly with Ronnie Coleman) with Arnold second and Dorian 3rd, since retireing Lee has done alot of charity work with troubled kids etc...nice Bloke and was a good example for BB more power to him.
Title: Re: Why did Lee Haney retire at a young age??..
Post by: Hulkster on September 16, 2008, 08:13:12 PM
Haney was a great Mr. O IMO.

great taper, small waist, huge back - the precursor to a peak Ronnie Coleman years later.

much better than dorian. he was, much like peak Ronnie, mass with class.

not mass with ass.

Title: Re: Why did Lee Haney retire at a young age??..
Post by: EspenG on September 16, 2008, 11:02:49 PM
Totalee Awesome...
Title: Re: Why did Lee Haney retire at a young age??..
Post by: EspenG on September 16, 2008, 11:04:26 PM
more...
Title: Re: Why did Lee Haney retire at a young age??..
Post by: EspenG on September 16, 2008, 11:08:06 PM
more...
Title: Re: Why did Lee Haney retire at a young age??..
Post by: EspenG on September 16, 2008, 11:09:07 PM
more..
Title: Re: Why did Lee Haney retire at a young age??..
Post by: EspenG on September 16, 2008, 11:11:23 PM
more...
Title: Re: Why did Lee Haney retire at a young age??..
Post by: EspenG on September 16, 2008, 11:21:16 PM
more...
Title: Re: Why did Lee Haney retire at a young age??..
Post by: EspenG on September 16, 2008, 11:21:58 PM
awesome
Title: Re: Why did Lee Haney retire at a young age??..
Post by: johnny1 on September 17, 2008, 12:29:34 AM
Thanks for posting those pics of LEE mate, you sort of forget how great Lee really was, his back in some of those screen caps are Increadible certainly set the bar really high for Dorian and Ronnie after him, that front lat spread and that casual pic relaxed in the gym are what BB was all about back then, size, cuts,taper,small waist etc...
Title: Re: Why did Lee Haney retire at a young age??..
Post by: johnny1 on September 17, 2008, 12:33:38 AM
Sorry bud i thought this shot of his back was worth a second take! :o :o :o
Title: Re: Why did Lee Haney retire at a young age??..
Post by: njflex on September 17, 2008, 07:56:06 AM
INCREDIBLE TORSO.
Title: Re: Why did Lee Haney retire at a young age??..
Post by: m8 on September 17, 2008, 08:04:29 AM
(http://www.getbig.com/boards/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=234385.0;attach=274725;image)

Brutal gyno :/
Title: Re: Why did Lee Haney retire at a young age??..
Post by: michael arvilla on September 17, 2008, 09:07:28 AM
I remember Mike Matarazzo telling me that he saw Haney backstage in his sweats and he did not look that big or imposing,but then when he took of his track suit in Mike's words he went "Bonkers" "it was if his back was alive with things moving every which way!"
i asked him about Dorian and he Replied "nope Dorian wouldn't touch him.........Haney was that good"

Mike said "I'm a very hard man to impress/esp by bodybuilders......but Haney   he impressed the hell outta me"