CrossFit HQ speaks out over former CEO’s George Floyd tweet, saying ‘we disappointed you. It hurt you and us. We need to talk’

CrossFit Inc. releases an open letter to the community in the wake of controversy stemming from a tweet by former CEO about George Floyd

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CrossFit Headquarters has posted an open letter, apologising for the former CEO’s tweets and their lack of messaging over the Black Lives Matter movement. Photo: Duke Loren Photography

Published: 2:32pm, 10 Jun 2020Updated: 2:52pm, 10 Jun 2020

CrossFit Inc. has posted an open letter on its website titled “Why Didn’t CrossFit Just Say Something?” hours after the resignation of its CEO. The letter apologises for tweets from its former CEO and to the black community for not speaking up sooner about the ongoing protests over systemic racism, writing: “We disappointed you. It hurt you and us. We need to talk.”

The company has been embroiled in controversy since Saturday, when the now-former CEO Greg Glassman tweeted “It’s FLOYD-19”, linking George Floyd and the coronavirus, in response to a tweet from the Institution for Health Metrics and Evaluation about racism and public health.

The post was followed by an explanation from Glassman: “Your failed model quarantined us and now you’re going to model a solution to racism? George Floyd’s brutal murder sparked riots nationally. Quarantine alone is ‘accompanied in every age and under all political regimes by an undercurrent of suspicion, distrust, and riots.’ Thanks!”

There was an immediate backlash as sponsors, athletes and gyms withdrew from CrossFit or threatened to do so unless there was a change in leadership. Glassman’s “pathetic” apology that insisted his original tweet was “not racist” did little to stem the tide.

On Tuesday US time, Glassman stood down from his role and was replaced by Dave Castro. But hours after his resignation, a recording of a Zoom call was released with Glassman saying: “We’re not mourning for George Floyd. I don’t think me or any of my staff are. Can you tell me why I should mourn for him? Other than that it’s the white thing to do? Other than that, give me another reason.”