After a transcript of a Hulk Hogan sex tape was released last week which revealed the wrestling legend saying the N-word and admitting to being a racist, some of his friends are publicly stating that contrary to what he said on the tape, he is not a racist.
Dennis Rodman called on several Black athletes to vouch their support of Hogan, whose real name is Terry Bollea.
“I’ve known @HulkHogan for 25 years,” Rodman tweeted. “… There isn’t a racist bone in that mans body.”
“Lets lend our support to the Hulkster @HulkHogan who most certainly is not a racist,” he tweeted tot veteran athletes Scottie Pippen, Magic Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal and Mike Tyson.
The NBA Hall of Famer and Hogan both attended a 1997 WCW tag team show, and in 2008, he was featured as a contestant on “Hulk Hogan’s Celebrity Championship Wrestling.”
Former boxer George Foreman, who has been in the ring with Hogan, also insisted that the 61-year-old wrestler is a longtime friend of his and definitely not a racist.
“I have known Hulk Hogan for well over 20 years. I do not condone the language he used, but he is no racist, he is a good guy,” Foreman told TMZ. “He is a friend of mine. We have hung out together and we have even been in the ring together. I consider him a friend.”
Wrestling icon Virgil told TMZ he was saddened by Hogan’s derogatory comments, but added, “You can only judge a person based on past experience. Hulk Hogan has never given me a reason to believe he is a racist.”
Following the WWE terminating their contract with the longtime performer, Hogan apologized for what he said in the 8-year-old sex tape. During the recording, he goes on an angry tirade due to his daughter, Brooke, dating a Black man and used the N-word several times.
“I mean, I’d rather if she was going to f–k some n—-r, I’d rather have her marry an 8-foot-tall n—-r worth a hundred million dollars! Like a basketball player!” he said in the tape, according to The Enquirer.
He then flat-out admitted to being racist. “I mean, I am a racist, to a point. F–king n—–s,” he reportedly said.
