By Sarah Begley
Updated: | Originally published: ;
Hulk Hogan apologized for his use of the N-word on Friday, shortly after news emerged that World Wrestling Entertainment had severed ties with him.
In a statement to People, 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.”
A 2012 radio interview recently emerged in which Hogan used the N-word several times, but Hogan’s apology seems to be referring to another instance of the slur—he used it in a sex tape that was released in 2012, but filmed several years earlier.
Dennis Rodman tweeted a defense of Hogan Friday afternoon:
Read more at People
More Must-Reads From TIME
- The 100 Most Influential People of 2024
- Coco Gauff Is Playing for Herself Now
- Scenes From Pro-Palestinian Encampments Across U.S. Universities
- 6 Compliments That Land Every Time
- If You're Dating Right Now , You're Brave: Column
- The AI That Could Heal a Divided Internet
- Fallout Is a Brilliant Model for the Future of Video Game Adaptations
- Want Weekly Recs on What to Watch, Read, and More? Sign Up for Worth Your Time
Contact us at letters@time.com