Was Louie Cheated in 75?....

[EngiCream]

Nicker, that sadly was not the case. Here is a few things taken from an interview with Lou:

Ferrigno's father was disappointed in his son.

"My father couldn't handle not having a perfect son," he said. "I didn't have a very good relationship with my father."


and then at the end:

And with this focus, he has forgiven his father, who at 75 weight trains and jogs.

"He was my biggest critic and my best defender," Ferrigno said of his father. "He did the best he could."

Ferrigno said his father treated him like his grandfather had treated his father, and by understanding that he was able to break the cycle in how he treats his own kids.

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Sounds to me like a man who has delt with some mental abuse, and in time realized all he could do was forgive, and realize that the person didn't mean to do it, but didn't know any better.

yep, right on.......in his book he says the whole pumping iron thing was made up (the parts with him supposedly having fun with his dad)

EngiCream

 

[SofaGeorge]

I totally disagree with you.....I would pay to have someone train with me every day and give me the motovation to keep going like lous father did. He never had any friends not because of his father but because of his disability. His father was his best friend and I am so sure that lou is greatful for his fathers support.

This is total BS. I know Lou. He is an intelligent guy... definitely not the most talkative guy in the gym... but quiet, sensative, and always a gentleman.

Lou has written a lot about his relationship with his dad and how important it was for him to break away from his father's attempts to dominate his life.

Joe Wieder gave Lou a contract many years ago not just because Lou was a top pro... but also because he was a good kid (at the time) who wanted to get out in the world and stand on his own two feet.

The only time in my life I've ever seen Joe Wieder was when he walked into Gold's one day for a photo shoot. Lou happened to be working out. There was no missing the genuiness of their relationship.

Joe, much maligned in the body building world, is a truly good guy in my book.

 

[Enigmaxxx7]

At least in my opinion he was....

Third place? He looks close to what todays pro's look like. Big, and thick. I don't think he should have been number 1, because Arnold had more of a presence, if that makes sense. But number two for sure. Look at Surge Nubret! With legs like that, he shouldn't have even been allowed on stage. He looks like those ab doers on the cover of "men's health' or some crap like that. I think Louie was cheated, and should have at least taken second place. Who else thinks he was cheated?

On another note, whats up with his father? What a prick. Talk about living through your son. Lou seems so lonely, and his dad just sits back and takes credit for it all: "we want it" "when we are up there" "when we hit that stage" "what a work out (like he did anything)" what was with all the we's? And the best "I had an old set in the cellar, i used to do a little bit of it myself" So, his dad pretty much takes credit for it all. I read something Lou wrote, about his father abusing him mentally, I believe it! I think if it wasn't for his father, Louie would have went a lot farther in the sport. What a shame....

Welcome to Elite Fitness Lou! How did you pick the name C3bodybuilding? Tell your dad I said hi.

 

[c3bodybuilding]

Sofa, your description of Lou is just how I would have imagined him. You can tell that he is a good guy. If you watch Pumping Iron, you can't help but feel bad for him. He was surrounded by a lot of negative energy. His father for one. But the two parts of it that make me feel real bad for Lou, are when he is eating that orange alone, and in the very end when Arnold said he was going to visit him, he had a smile on his face "you're gonna visit me?" like an excited kid who just found a friend. Then it turns out Arnold was just joking with him.

The man's delt with a lot while growing up. I'm sure he was picked on a lot, had a mentally abusive father, and was pretty much cheated in bodybuilding (in my own opinion). Yet he overcame it all. Sure he never became a *huge* star. But he did make a name for himself. Even after all these years, when it comes to the general public and bodybuilding, the only two names they seem to know are Arnold and Louie....

 

[SheHuLK]

I do think Lou was cheated to a certain extent. He looked great, and should've gotten 2nd I think. He seems so sad in Pumping Iron. Almost like he just needed a friend.

 

[Shaved Ape]

I dont think he deserved better than 3rd. Louie had the size but Serge was harder, and neither could compare next to Arnold. Aside from Arnold's dominance, it was all about what that group of judges was looking for on that day, and Nubret was well put-together, although lacking in mass. Just look at Frank Zane -- could you imagine him even standing on a pro-BB stage any time in the last decade?!

 

[robsatx]

Most the guys on this board were not born yet.

Most of the guys on this board have no clue what you are talking about. I am 33 and have very little info to base my vote. Just thought I would throw that in.
However, is there anywhere - movies, videos etc. That we could educate ourselves? I like to get history on things that interest me.

Thanks!

 

[Big_Brick]

Sofa, your description of Lou is just how I would have imagined him. You can tell that he is a good guy. If you watch Pumping Iron, you can't help but feel bad for him. He was surrounded by a lot of negative energy. His father for one. But the two parts of it that make me feel real bad for Lou, are when he is eating that orange alone, and in the very end when Arnold said he was going to visit him, he had a smile on his face "you're gonna visit me?" like an excited kid who just found a friend. Then it turns out Arnold was just joking with him.

The man's delt with a lot while growing up. I'm sure he was picked on a lot, had a mentally abusive father, and was pretty much cheated in bodybuilding (in my own opinion). Yet he overcame it all. Sure he never became a *huge* star. But he did make a name for himself. Even after all these years, when it comes to the general public and bodybuilding, the only two names they seem to know are Arnold and Louie....

Very good post. I agree. I read somewhere that he had asked his father if they could train together again. And his father said something like "are you kidding?". And the pumping iron video was the only time they had been together in the gym.

 

[dmxdmx112v]

Lou needed to be better conditoned and ripped up...his posing was atrocious in Pumping Iron...and another little thing is he had school-girl calves...Peace

 

[Jeff_rys]

no, third place was fair

True Nubret's calves where not good, but Louie lacked definition. He was big and thick, still had to loose some (maybe 10 pounds).
He did not even come close to Arnold or Franco.
By the way did you notice Nubret's abs??????
Yeah i know, abs don't count anymore.

Jeff