Last week, former UFC light heavyweight champion, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson received harsh criticism for comments he made in an article about the upcoming film, The A-Team.
In the story, Jackson was quoted as saying:
“Acting is kind of gay. It makes you soft. You got all these people combing your hair and putting a coat over your shoulders when you’re cold. I don’t want a coat over my shoulders! I’m a tough-ass (expletive)! Vancouver strikes me as a San Francisco-kind of place. And I don’t want (expletive) getting ideas about me. I feel in my heart I’m the toughest (expletive) on the planet. And I don’t want nothing changing my train of thought. If you don’t believe that when we step inside the octagon, it shows.”
After the LA Times published the piece, some MMA writers lambasted “Rampage” for his insensitive remarks. The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) also took issue with Jackson’s statements.
Until recently, Jackson had remained quiet about the issue. Late Sunday night, he finally broke his silence. On his website, the 31-year-old addressed his detractors and explained his side of the story.
“Yes, and like most straight guys I joke around with the whole gay thing and I see it as comedy, not saying that’s right or wrong but I don’t do it out of hate. I am a black man from Memphis Tennessee who grew up in the south where I faced discrimination my whole life. I know very well how it feels for someone to judge you for something you have no control over so having gone through that I know how it feels. I took a vow that I didn’t even have to say that I would never discriminate against anybody for anything other (than) how they treat me or others around them. So not only DO I NOT HATE gay people, I actually accept them for who and what they are.”
“When I did this interview the interviewer witnessed my friend giving me s–t and calling me gay. I was so embarrassed and didn’t want my ego tainted because I’m a big tough fighter. So yes, I got quite defensive and I’m known to be the best s–t talker in my business and a fighter in all aspects in life. So I made fun of him back, calling him gay.”
“EVERYBODY LIGHTEN THE (expletive) UP! LET’S HAVE FUN! THAT’S THE MOST IMPORTANT THING WE CAN DO RIGHT NOW! THERE’S TOO MUCH NEGATIVITY IN THIS WORLD, SO LET’S JUST FOCUS ON THE POSITIVE THINGS AND I GUARANTEE IF WE DO THAT THINGS CAN ONLY GET BETTER!”
In the story, Jackson was quoted as saying:
“Acting is kind of gay. It makes you soft. You got all these people combing your hair and putting a coat over your shoulders when you’re cold. I don’t want a coat over my shoulders! I’m a tough-ass (expletive)! Vancouver strikes me as a San Francisco-kind of place. And I don’t want (expletive) getting ideas about me. I feel in my heart I’m the toughest (expletive) on the planet. And I don’t want nothing changing my train of thought. If you don’t believe that when we step inside the octagon, it shows.”
After the LA Times published the piece, some MMA writers lambasted “Rampage” for his insensitive remarks. The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) also took issue with Jackson’s statements.
Until recently, Jackson had remained quiet about the issue. Late Sunday night, he finally broke his silence. On his website, the 31-year-old addressed his detractors and explained his side of the story.
“Yes, and like most straight guys I joke around with the whole gay thing and I see it as comedy, not saying that’s right or wrong but I don’t do it out of hate. I am a black man from Memphis Tennessee who grew up in the south where I faced discrimination my whole life. I know very well how it feels for someone to judge you for something you have no control over so having gone through that I know how it feels. I took a vow that I didn’t even have to say that I would never discriminate against anybody for anything other (than) how they treat me or others around them. So not only DO I NOT HATE gay people, I actually accept them for who and what they are.”
“When I did this interview the interviewer witnessed my friend giving me s–t and calling me gay. I was so embarrassed and didn’t want my ego tainted because I’m a big tough fighter. So yes, I got quite defensive and I’m known to be the best s–t talker in my business and a fighter in all aspects in life. So I made fun of him back, calling him gay.”
“EVERYBODY LIGHTEN THE (expletive) UP! LET’S HAVE FUN! THAT’S THE MOST IMPORTANT THING WE CAN DO RIGHT NOW! THERE’S TOO MUCH NEGATIVITY IN THIS WORLD, SO LET’S JUST FOCUS ON THE POSITIVE THINGS AND I GUARANTEE IF WE DO THAT THINGS CAN ONLY GET BETTER!”
