Following Sean Strickland’s latest rant, former NFL player Carl Nassib calls the UFC star the “scum of humanity.”
Sean Strickland sent out a couple of lengthy posts on social media with some unflattering language towards the LGBTQ+ community.
Carl Nassib, who became the first openly gay NFL player in 2021, took exception to this tirade.
Nassib responded on Instagram by calling Strickland “scum” and questioning why the UFC continues giving him a platform and paycheck.
Sean Strickland catches heat for LGBTQ+ comments
Strickland sent the message to his over 500k followers on X, saying that he views LGBTQ+ members as similar to those with mental disabilities.
I just look at gays like a form of retardation.. but I fully accept themCould you imagine if we seen any species on this planet wake up one day and all chose to be gayWe would all think "wow there is clearly something wrong with that species"Why are humans exempt? Come on.
— Sean Strickland (@SStricklandMMA) March 11, 2024
In the second post, Strickland doubled down that the first post was meant to be a joke, but then proceeded to say “being gay is an abnormality.”
All can't take a jokeARE YOU ALL FUCKING HIGH OR JUST WOKE STUPID?!Why is it so difficult to admit that being gay is an abnormalityBe gay, be happy, we accept youBUTYou're a mammal that is human and you fail to do the one thing all mammals want to do. Lmao!! Come on!!
— Sean Strickland (@SStricklandMMA) March 12, 2024
Nassib revealed that he had previously reached out to Strickland with a plea to lay off the LGBTQ+ insults. The former NFL player shared a screenshot of that message on Instagram. Nassib says it resulted in Strickland blocking him.
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“What’s up, Sean? I really don’t appreciate all the hate and negativity you have towards the gay community,” Nassib said.
“You’re constantly talking about killing influencers and how much hate you have for people like me. I’ve never watched UFC or seen you compete, but I’ve been hearing about you lately, and it’s f**ked up. I’m asking you as a man and fellow competitor to please lay off my community moving forward,” he pleaded.
“You’ll inspire people you influence to hurt people like me and nobody wants that.”
Sean Strickland's latest attack on gay people is beyond the pale. It isn't free speech, it's flat-out cruelty with the intention to harm. He is intending to spread and foster hate.When the hell are UFC and ESPN going to do something about this maniac?https://t.co/X7guErQwxi
— Cyd Zeigler (@CydZeigler) March 12, 2024
Outsports has a running list of instances where Strickland degraded members of the LGBTQ+ community — and it stretches back several years. Nassib attempted to get Strickland to back off and called the UFC ‘insane’ for giving him a platform.
UFC CEO Dana White has been mostly mum on the topic in the past, only claiming that his fighters have a right to free speech.