The other side to that point is, does 288 pounds make for a more dedicated bodybuilder than one 100 pounds lighter- natural or not? I've been busting my butt in the gym, living a life that a monk would consider ascetic, and pouring more thought and love into bodybuilding than any sane person should, from the time I was 13- 24 years. Yet, I did so knowing almost from the start that I didn't have the natural capacity to put on scads of muscle, and that I would never compromise my long term health by taking drugs to counterract my limitations.
As I've stated many times on these boards, I've watched in envy as inexperienced guys would walk into the gym without much concern for bodybuilding at all who build up impressive physiques in short order, thanks to genetic 'blessings'. At the same time I'll toil away year after year, making the kind of progress that would send all of those guys packing in frustration within three months.
Doesn't this, in a way, make me even more dedicated than the guy who is genetically gifted and, for whatever reason, doesn't have compunctions about living on steroids for years on end? It takes more effort to climb a mountain than drive it.
There's a base notion in this 'sport' that equates size with experience, love and knowledge. It's the same prejudice Steve Blechman and John Romano foster when they pick on Peter for his physical attributes. It makes me realize in the end that many bodybuilders are what the public perceives them to be- thickheaded.
Could you imagine if Tiger Woods, Ernie Els and Davis Love III went on golf forums and ripped on all the amateur duffers out there for not achieving their level of success? How about if Bill Gates, Jack Welch and Michael Eisner propagated small business forums and chided the members there, telling them they should give up because they haven't come close to grossing a billion dollars yet?
Pro bodybuilding is very quickly losing its mystique. The athletes could very easily take the mantle of benevolent icons, just by keeping their mouths closed when discretion deems it so.
Could any of you guys imagine the blessing of being able to earn a living doing what you've loved most of all since childhood? And knowing that this job would give you a good deal of authority and prestige  in the eyes of a number of people, wouldn't you feel a sense of duty to represent both yourself and your profession with all the dignity you could muster? I would.
Whether sarcasm or not (and I do suspect there was some there), Tom Prince's post was far from the worst I've seen. Whereas he was making a point, other pros have verbally bashed their (potential) fans in a manner befitting elementary school bullies.
All pro sports put controls on their athletes for behavior unbecoming to the good name of their sport, team and themselves. Â I understand why now.
