In light of an exploding controversy surrounding racist comments, Hulk Hogan has issued statements through People Magazine.
Hogan said:
“Eight years ago I used offensive language during a conversation. It was unacceptable for me to have used that offensive language; there is no excuse for it; and I apologize for having done it,” Hogan said in a statement exclusively to PEOPLE. The transcript featuring that conversation was published online by the National Enquirer.
“This is not who I am. I believe very strongly that every person in the world is important and should not be treated differently based on race, gender, orientation, religious beliefs or otherwise,” Hogan told PEOPLE. “I am disappointed with myself that I used language that is offensive and inconsistent with my own beliefs.”
In addition, Hogan’s camp is insisting that he quit WWE and wasn’t fired.
His lawyer David Houston confirmed to PEOPLE that he’s officially resigned from the organization.
“He decided to resign from WWE because he didn’t want to put them or his family through this,” Houston told PEOPLE.
This conflicts with WWE, who issued a statement that said they fired him.
Hogan has also tweeted some random fans, thanking them for supporting him in this dark time:
@samwood1983 thank u Sam my brother HH
— Hulk Hogan (@HulkHogan) July 24, 2015
@Joshua0119 Joshua thank u my brother only love HH
— Hulk Hogan (@HulkHogan) July 24, 2015
