A well-known fitness influencer and bodybuilder faced backlash on social media after paying tribute to the late WWE star, Hulk Hogan, following his death. Joey Swoll, 42, who refers to himself as the “gym aggressiveness CEO,” announced on Monday that he was stepping back from the online platform, apologizing for donning a Hogan-inspired costume, which he claimed was a gesture of respect from Hogan himself.
“I owe an apology to my followers, my community, and everyone on social media,” Swoll said in a recorded message to his 8 million followers from his car.
Swoll had been honoring Hogan by wearing a costume similar to what the wrestling icon famously wore during his training at Gold’s Gym in Venice, California. Hogan, whose real name was Terry Borea, passed away on July 24 at the age of 71 after battling significant health issues in Clearwater, Florida.
Known for his videos that promote accountability in fitness spaces and his mission to create a positive gym environment, Swoll encountered significant backlash the day after posting the tribute.
“If I don’t uphold the standards I’ve set, I risk being a hypocrite. I’m human and still learning,” he acknowledged. “I truly have love and kindness in my heart and want to help make the world a better place.”
Upon returning to social media on Tuesday, Swoll remarked, “It’s over,” expressing frustration that “people are just waiting for reasons to criticize.” He reflected on the positive impact he has made, mentioning, “Instead of listening and being understanding, I found myself on the defensive, trying to celebrate a wrestling hero that many of us admired growing up.”
Swoll often shared workout videos featuring Hogan’s theme music and had previously posted similar content in October 2020. After further research, he claimed to have learned about the various controversies surrounding Hogan’s past behavior.
Hogan had been dismissed from WWE in 2015 after a video surfaced from 2007 that included racial slurs. He also faced scandals involving steroid use and a sex tape incident with his former friend’s wife, which led to a significant lawsuit against a gossip site.
Following the fallout, Swoll retracted the tribute from his social media and issued an apology, stating, “I’m sorry to anyone I offended.” He also encountered criticism when he used an outdated term during a livestream. “I was educated on it, and I promptly apologized, committing not to repeat the mistake,” he noted.
