Boston (WBZ Newsroom)  -- Boston Firefighters Union president Ed Kelly says he was shocked when he saw pictures of bodybuilder Albert Arroyo, a firefighter seeking disability benefits.

However, Kelly says this matter should not be decided in the court of public opinion.

Kelly says Arroyo was declared no longer fit for fire duty when he hurt his back on the job and was told to retire in 2000 because of nerve damage, but Arroyo said he couldn't afford to.

Arroyo recently hurt his back in a fall and is seeking disability benefits.

His doctor told him to start lifting weights to help deal with the nerve damage, leading him to become a competitive bodybuilder.

As to whether Arroyo deserves disability benefits, Kelly says that's for a series of boards and doctors to decide. 

Mayor Tom Menino believes the city's Retirement Board should deny Arroyo's bid for a disability pension. 

Arroyo now inspects buildings as a member of the Fire Prevention Division.