Video: Hulk Hogan Blames South Tampa Upbringing for Racial Slur

With his trademark T-shirt rip, prominent mustache and towering stature, Hulk Hogan once stood at the pinnacle of the wrestling world.

Now, he’s fighting to keep his head above water against a rising tide of outrage over his use of the “n-word” in a video recorded of him years ago. The video, believed to have been taped back in 2006 or 2007, also contains secretly recorded images of Hogan having sex with Heather Cole, the ex-wife of radio shock jock Bubba the Love Sponge.

While Hogan is currently in a legal battle with Gawker Media over publication of the sex tape, the National Enquirer recently took him to task over another portion of the video. That’s the portion where Hogan reportedly used the racial slur while describing his daughter’s then boyfriend.

Professional wrestling’s WWE, formerly known as WWF, fired Hogan after news about the racial slur surfaced. Last month, it also took his name and image down from its website’s Hall of Fame.

That move, the erasing of his legacy, has Hogan stepping forward to tell his side of the story. In an exclusive interview with ABC’s Amy Robach that aired on “Good Morning America” Monday, the former wrestling legend choked up several times while discussing the period of his life when the tape was recorded and the fallout from the racial slur.

Hogan also tried to explain his use of the word and apologized for it.

“It was wrong. I’m embarrassed by it.” Hogan said. “Where I grew up was South Tampa. It was a really rough neighborhood, very low income. The word was just thrown around like it was nothing.”

Hogan, whose real name is Terry Bollea, also said, “please forgive me. I’m a nice guy.”

Whether forgiveness is forthcoming or not remains to be seen.

Do you forgive him? Share your thoughts by commenting below!

Screenshot from Liberty Alliance