“He Died of Cancer. This Probably Wasn’t Related to Steroids”: Bodybuilding World Divided Over 51-Year-Old Legends Unfortunate Demise

The early demise of star bodybuilder, Lee Banks, has stunned the entire community. The IFBB professional bodybuilder, passed away at the age of 51. The bodybuilding star had been fighting a long battle with cancer, and passed away on February 2, 2023, at Jacksonville, Florida’s Mayo Clinic & Hospital. Lafayette Banks, his wife, confirmed the tragic news through her Facebook page. As soon as the information spread, prayers swiftly poured in. But a voice of suspicion, also emerged after the news of the tragedy. 

The entire bodybuilding community is still in shock. Fans and bodybuilders are offering their prayers and best wishes to Banks’s family. However, the debates around the role of steroids and malpractices have again come to the surface. 

The bodybuilding community has varied takes on the tragedy

Fans have been expressive across different social media platforms. But, some people are raising questions about whether it was just cancer that took his life or something else. Some fans highlighted how the number of bodybuilders’ deaths is rising. People also alleged that the sport adversely affects one’s health system. Fans took to a social media post, dedicated to Banks, on Generation Iron’s Instagram page, to voice their concerns.

“That’s 4 in the past 3 months and yet no one is bringing awareness to the youth about entering this sport and the negative effects it has on your body. Weakens the system joints and heart”, a fan wrote. Many fans also raised the question of whether there is any link between the early demise of the bodybuilders. “What’s with all these bodybuilders dying so young lately?”, another fan wrote. 

However, fans of Banks supported the fact that the cause of his death was natural and it had no hidden angle to it. One fan wrote, “He died of cancer. This probably wasn’t related to steroids. Diet may have played a role, but who knows? Sometimes folks just get unlucky and develop cancer due to random chance.”

A fan emphasized the fact that Banks indulged in supporting natural bodybuilding and proved this with his impressive transformation. “In his last years, he spent promoting natural bodybuilding and did a major transformation. He is a legend and will always be”, another fan wrote. While the die-heart fans thrashed the agenda and false claims as one wrote, “Natties will come on here and try to make it about steroids when it clearly says he lost his battle with cancer in the post. “

READ MORE: “My Warrior Passed Away”: After an Unfortunate Demise, Heartbroken Wife Shares Emotional Message for 51-Year-Old Bodybuilder Husband

Lee Banks has had a wonderful career with immense contributions to the bodybuilding fraternity. The star bodybuilder has been in the top 5 of PBW Championships and the top 10 of the Mr. Olympia category. His undisputed passion for the sport is what made him a global star. 

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