I used to think that too but I believe he was just villainized. His persona back then is nothing like who he is now and what others have claimed he was actually like back then.I never liked Phil as a human, but he was blessed with absurd genetics. His jump from turning Pro to Mr. O champion was incredibly fast - and seemingly effortless.
As people have said, Ronnie was blessed with outstanding genetics and outworked everyone. I don't think we will ever see another Ronnie again.
Compared to Ronnie though, almost everyone can be considered a dick. Ronnie is genuinely extremely nice and the only cop I would have wanted to pull me over in Arlington.