Bodybuilder icon who told anti-vaxxers that they can use him as a test, dies after taking the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine.
By Marica Micallef
On 14th October 2022, The Fitness Volt reported that Doug Brignole, a veteran bodybuilding legend and author of ‘The Physics of Resistance Exercise’, died at the age of 63.[1]
Brignole’s career spanned four decades as one of the most renowned bodybuilders competing in the AAU and NABBA and it was marked by a number of significant accomplishments.
Throughout his bodybuilding career, Doug Brignole was known for his proportions and shape rather than his size, much like bodybuilding legend Frank Zane. Brignole was a bodybuilder known for his cerebral approach and controversial yet revolutionary ideas. He was opposed to common exercises like shoulder presses and stiff leg deadlifts. The 63-year-old still maintained an excellent training regimen and was preparing to guest pose at the AAU Mr. Universe competition on Oct. 22 in Las Vegas.
His death was first reported on various social media platforms.
The Fitness Volt insists on the usual statement which is now commonly used in these sudden deaths: that the true cause of death is still unknown. What the Fitness Volt does not tell you, is that the bodybuilder was pro-Covid-19 vaccine and had also taken the Moderna one.
Brignole was one of those who strongly advocated for COVID vaccination. His most recent statement on vaccine safety had been widely circulated on the internet. He had said:
And so, Brignole, took the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine last year, as his Facebook post can prove:
[1] https://fitnessvolt.com/doug-brignole-obituary/
The claim: Bodybuilder Doug Brignole died from the COVID-19 vaccine
In April 2021 just after receiving his COVID-19 vaccine, author and body builder Doug Brignole shared a message on Facebook about the experience.
“I’m vaccinated ! Well, the first of two,” the post reads in part. “Let’s get this done so we can get back to traveling, going to concerts, and having fun. My vaccine was yesterday, and I had no problem with it.”
In the days that followed, Brignole communicated with other social media users in the comment section of his Facebook post about the safety and efficacy of the vaccine.
“I have enough confidence in the vaccine, based on my research, to get it done,” Brignole replied to a Facebook user who questioned his decision. “Those of you who think the vaccine kills people can use me as a test. If I die, you were right. If I don’t die, and have no ill effects, you were wrong, and should admit it – at least to yourselves.”
Now, social media users are connecting Brignole’s 2021 comment to his recent death.
“Then I guess you made the case for us! We were RIGHT not to take the vax! That’s why he is dead and we are Not,” reads the caption of an Oct. 22 Instagram post.
Other versions of the claim accumulated thousands of interactions across multiple social media platforms.
But Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner records show Brignole died of a COVID-19 infection, not the COVID-19 vaccine.
USA TODAY reached out to several social media users who shared the post for comment.
Brignole died from COVID
Brignole died on Oct. 13 from a COVID-19 infection, according to public records from the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner.
While Brignole did suffer from Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease, according to the medical examiner’s records, there was no other cause of death listed.
There have also been no credible reports connecting Brignole’s death to the vaccine.
Fact check: No, the media didn’t report the same boy died of COVID-19 in three different countries
Our rating: False
Based on our research, we rate FALSE the claim that Brignole died from the COVID-19 vaccine. Despite what social media users claim, the medical examiner who investigated Brignole’s death found he died from COVID-19.
Our fact-check sources:
Los Angeles County Medical Examiner-Coroner, accessed Oct. 25, Douglas Brignole
Doug Brignole, April 4, 2021, Facebook post
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This is BS. Brignole died from the quaccine. The claim that he died from COVAIDS is a cover story, and quite a weak one, because it suggests that the quaccines do not work (which has been obvious from the beginning). He was healthy, had at least 2 quaccines & died as a result. Also, yes, the media did use a photo of the same boy & reported that he died in 3 different countries. These days, anything that claims to be a “fact check” is really a propaganda lie cover up for big pharma criminals.