Written by Steve Blechman
23 August 2017

17Steves-Dallas-Message

A Tribute to Dallas McCarver: How I Remember Him

 

On the morning of August 22, 2017, there was a tremendous loss to the bodybuilding community. This individual was on his way to a fantastic and illustrious career. But when the news came, I was in utter disbelief. His name was Dallas McCarver.

 

I first met Dallas McCarver when he told me he was going into the 2012 IFBB North American Championships, being held on Labor Day Weekend. I told Dallas that he was going to

win the North Americans before he went in. Dallas told me— I was crazy!

 

Weighing 241 pounds, Dallas won the North Americans and turned pro. One month later in

September 2012, I brought Dallas to Muscular Development and signed him to a contract as a sponsored athlete, and helped sign him to his first supplement contract with Team BSN. He always called me, “Mr. Blechman.” I would laugh and say, “Dallas, you can call me Steve.”

 

I saw great potential in Dallas: he was only 21, and at 6'1" he had a great frame and structure. Amazingly, he had only been competing for a year.

 

In the last few years, he had become a growing threat in the IFBB. Dallas became the youngest man in the history of the NPC to win an overall National title when he was crowned the 2012 Super Heavyweight and Overall IFBB North American champion at just 21 years old. He held the record until three years later, when Cody Montgomery would replace him as the youngest to win the title.

 

I believed that Dallas had a bright and prosperous future in bodybuilding ahead of him. He wasn’t pretentious, but a down-to-earth kind of a guy with a big heart of gold and a blue-collar work ethic instilled in him from his family.

 

Dallas began weight training in high school to help with his strength and conditioning for the football team. He also played football at Bethel University, where he played fullback, and then pulling guard when he got big. Dallas majored in psychology, so he was a man who could exercise his mind to build his muscle. If Dallas kept going, he could have become Mr. Olympia one day, but sadly we’ll never know …

 

Tragically, at only the age of 26, Dallas McCarver passed away on August 22, 2017. I will miss him dearly. He was such a genuine individual who loved bodybuilding, and I believed he would go far in this sport. Most importantly, to me, Dallas McCarver had a great mindset, vision, passion, drive and hard work ethic that has built champions for generations. To me, he already was one because of his heart, soul and love that he displayed, which is why he touched a lot of people. That is the mark of a winner— and that is a champion in every sense of the word.

 

To Dallas’ family, friends, colleagues, fans and his girlfriend Dana— my heart goes out to you. I’m so sorry for your loss. I hope that these words bring peace to all of you in a time of such sadness.

 

Rest in Peace, my friend. God Bless you. I will miss you.

 

Best,

 

Steve

 

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