Chris Dickerson was the first Black Mr. America IFBB (International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness) Champion. Dickerson was 43 years old at the time which made him the oldest Mr. America IFBB Champion ever; he was also the first openly gay bodybuilding champion as well.
Mr. America recently passed away in December (2021) at the age of 82, but he lived a good life. He amassed over 50 bodybuilding titles in his career, and in 1980, he competed in a competition and came in 2nd place to Arnold Schwarzenegger. Dickerson also worked for ESPN as an announcer because he is so well spoken and had so much passion for the sport.
Did I mention that he was also an opera singer? Talk about range….
Nevertheless, a lot of bodybuilders die young because of the extremes that they take their bodies through, and because of all of the “natural supplements” that they take during their careers. So for him to live to age 82 and be in such good shape and well spoken so late in life was also a huge accomplishment.
Mr. Dickerson, I salute you.
The End.
This has been a #TeamWoods moment in Black History.
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