(The Hill) – Former MMA fighter Ronda Rousey apologized Friday for sharing a Sandy Hook conspiracy 11 years ago on social media, saying it was the “single most regrettable decision of my life.”
The professional wrestler offered her apology in a lengthy statement she shared on the social platform X.
“I apologize that this came 11 years too late, but to those affected by the Sandy Hook massacre, from the bottom of my heart and depth of my soul I am so so sorry for the hurt I caused,” Rousey said in the statement.
“I can’t even begin to imagine the pain you’ve endured and words cannot describe how thoroughly remorseful and ashamed I am of myself for contributing it.”
Rousey shared a YouTube video on social media that pushed a conspiracy theory in January 2013, according to Bleacher Report, about the shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, that killed 20 children and six staffers. She captioned the post: “Extremely interesting, and must-watch.” The post brought backlash and she soon took it down.
“I didn’t even believe it, but was so horrified at the truth that I was grasping for an alternative fiction to cling to instead,” Rousey said in her apology. “I quickly realized my mistake and took it down, but the damage was done.”
Rousey said she wanted to apologize in the years after sharing the video. She said she drafted an apology many times but convinced herself “it wasn’t the right time” or that she’d “be causing even more damage by giving it.”
The former UFC champion concluded her apology by saying that conspiracy theories don’t “make you edgy, or an independent thinker.”
“You’re doing nothing but hurting others and yourself,” the 2008 Olympic bronze medalist said. “No matter how long you’ve gone down the wrong road, you should still turn back.”
During the final night of the Democratic National Convention on Thursday, five gun control advocates spoke on the stage about their experience surviving gun violence and called for reform. Abbey Clements, a Sandy Hook shooting survivor, was on the stage.
“I carry that horrific day with me,” Clements said, as she was holding off tears. She said her colleagues and the first-graders killed at Sandy Hook Elementary should “still be here.”
The conspiracy surrounding Sandy Hook was often pushed by Infowars host Alex Jones, who called the school shooting a hoax. He was sued by the family members of the school shooting’s victims and was ordered to pay close to $1.5 billion.
