Craig Titus Walks Offstage And Loses it Backstage - TBT 1995 USA's
Craig Titus Walks Offstage & Loses It Backstage
TBT 1995 USAs
In the countdown to the 1995 NPC USA Championships staged at the Denver Auditorium Theater on July 7-8, heavyweight Craig Titus was the clear favorite. Indeed at the prejudging of Friday, July 7, he was at 225 pounds in the best shape of his career. At that prejudging the unheralded Phil emerged as Titus’s closest challenger. The 5’7” Hernon was nine pounds heavier than Titus and he was rock hard and thick with oodles of beef hanging form each bodypart. Many saw the contest being a close run thing with Titus’s more classy look vying for supremacy over Hernon's mass.
One who didn’t see it as close was Titus, who stated jubilantly after the prejudging, “It’s mine. No doubt at all!”
Someone who surprisingly agreed with him was Hernon, who when asked at the same juncture if he thought he had bested Titus, replied, No. I don’t think so.”
Their statements seemed to be played out onstage where Titus exuded the look and presence of a champion while Hernon was somewhat subdued. It was a strange contest to watch. From body language Titus was the winner whereas in body assessment it was much closer.
Fifteen minutes before the Saturday night finals Titus exclaimed, "I have absolutely no doubt I'm going to win. Tonight is my night. I want to look like a polished pro at a national show."
Come the moment of truth with just Titus and Hernon left onstage, emcee Lonnie Teper informed the audience that there was only one point in the decision. Photographer J.M Manion and I looked at each other as we had previously speculated that if the often volatile Titus didn’t win he'd walk offstage. We nodded at each other. J.M. would track Titus if he walked, while I moved from my seat to the edge of the auditorium so I could see what happened onstage and then be in a position to quickly get backstage to see what Titus did if he walked.
Lonnie then announced, “Second Place, number 70, Craig Titus!”
That's when the stick of dynamite named Craig Titus exploded. Without accepting his trophy he tore his number 70 from his trunks, and stumped his 225lbs backstage. I ran to that area and watched Titus pick up a chair, that favorite prop of enraged athletes of all sports, and threatened to toss it, but settled on slamming its four spindly legs to the ground. Screaming “I’ve beaten that guy three fucking times,” he quickly moved into the pump up room and collected his personal effects, only to be surrounded by concerned friends, the most notable of the latter group being Mike Christian. The Iron Warrior, Titus’s oft time training partner and a man well aware that life can deliver far worse step setbacks than a runner-up finish at the USA, made a sincere effort to convince his friends to rejoin his competitors on stage. But by then, Titus had already detonated. There was no turning back. After pulling on his red sweats, he made it his way to the auditorium doors as journalists and the curious made way for the giant crimson blur that was determined to escape his torment. As the crowd reacted, many of them Titus supporters booing their displeasure, the remaining heavyweights left the stage, making way for the other class winners who met Hernon for the for the final overall pose down. He won handily and then shed a few tears.
Shawn Ray commentating for ESPN acknowledged that the contest was a coin toss, but that didn't excuse the runner-ups action, “Hernon busted his ass just as much as Craig. The unsportsmanlike conduct is something you don't see too often at the national level. That may come back to haunt him, and judges don't forget things like that.”
Summed up Ray "If you can't stand the heat, don't become a cook.”
An hour later in the hotel bar, I approached Titus, who somewhat uncomfortably had this to say, “I’m done, no press, no photos, no nothing. It’s over with. I’m going to focus on my own business. That’s it.”
His business: Dymatize. An anagram of which is, “A Ditzy Me.” Eventually Titus backed off from that “no press” stand and we did a full interview and photo shoot with him.
My takeaway from the event: On that 1995 night Titus was not as good a bodybuilder as he thought he was. On that 1995 night Hernon was a better bodybuilder than he thought he was.
AFTERMATH
- For his walk off Titus was given a six months suspension by the NPC which would put him out of November’s NPC Nationals. According to Titus he had no plans to enter the Nationals so it was maybe a mute point. He returned to action by taking the heavyweight and overall titles at the 1996 USAs, relegating Tom Prince to second place.
- In April 1995 in Louisiana, Titus pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute Ecstasy and was sentenced to 16 months house arrest via monitoring with an electronic anklet. In July 1997, Titus was sentenced to 21 months in prison for violating his probation by using anabolic steroids.
- He returned to competition with a pro debut 8th place at the 2000 Ironman. He hadn’t competed since his 1996 USA triumph.
- In the early 2000s he was involved in two major physical altercations in Gold’s Gym, Venice. He punched heavyweight amateur Arne List when the latter demanded payment for an overdue loan. He then sucker punched Melvin Anthony who had complained that Titus was flirting with his girlfriend.
- His last contest was the 2005 Ironman where he finished sixth.
- In December 2005 Titus and wife, Kelly Ryan were arrested in connection with the death of their assistant Melissa James, who was strangled and her body set alight. In August 2008 Titus was convicted of second degree murder, kidnapping and arson. He was sentenced to 21 to 55 years in prison. His first opportunity to apply for parole will be December 2026. Ryan was sentenced to two consecutive terms of 3–13 years in prison. She has so far had two appeals for parole turned down. The couple divorced in 2009.