One of the strongest men in the world died last month at the way too young age of 31.
Professional strongman, Michael Jenkins, died November 28. There has been no official announcement of the cause of death. Social Media has reported it was heart related and that he died in his sleep. Strong Figure cannot validate this.
We can say that Michael Jenkins was a remarkable football player, strongman, and man.
Stephanie and I are both James Madison University (JMU) alumni and we are both fans of strongman so it is natural we would follow the career of former JMU Duke, Michael Jenkins.
Jenkins helped JMU win its only National Championship in 2004. In 2006, he switched to strongman and by 2012 he won the Arnold Strongman Classic and the Giants Live Strongman contest. He held several world records in strongman and to give you some numbers you can relate to, he had an 800 lb deadlift and a 900 lb back squat.
Here is a three minute compilation of just a few of his feats of strength:
Jenkins was also an owner of CrossFit Gamma in Hershey, PA. Here he is doing his part to raise breast cancer awareness — a very impressive performance of Grace at 155 pounds.
Michael Jenkins was survived by his wife Keri, who posted this on his Facebook page:
After reading thousands of comments, texts, messages, statuses, etc, etc, from new and old friends alike, I realize that Mike Jenkins will be remembered for his strongest muscle of all – his heart. I knew he was touching people and changing lives, I saw it daily. However, I now realize I didn’t even have a clue … not a clue to the magnitude he was really doing this.
I always told him I was so proud of him. He always laughed it off acting as if he acted in a way that any person would. We know otherwise. Thank you ALL for sharing your memories and offering support in many ways.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Keri and the rest of the Jenkins family, his friends, CrossFit Gamma, and the world of strongman.
