‘We don’t play by the same rules’: Ryan Garcia doubles down after Stephen Jackson warns boxer for saying he wants to ‘kick George Floyd’

Boxer Ryan Garcia has come under fire for using racial slurs and derogatory remarks against George Floyd during a recent social media post, prompting former NBA player and Floyd’s friend Stephen Jackson to criticize his words.

On Thursday, July 4, Ryan Garcia unleashed a fury on Twitter, using the n-word multiple times and declaring that he hates black people and Muslims.

“I hate n—ggas, I’m anti-black. Let’s join the Ku Klux Klan. Fuck n—ggas! N—, I’m the KKK,” Garcia said.

During his bizarre speech, Garcia also made disparaging comments about George Floyd.

“Hey, let’s go bring George Floyd back to life and kill that n***a again,” he said.

In 2020, George Floyd was murdered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, by Derek Chauvin, a white police officer who knelt on his neck for 9 minutes and 29 seconds. His death sparked a series of protests not only in the United States but around the world. Floyd was from Houston, Texas, where he had an in depth relationship with Stephen Jackson, a Houston native who spent 14 seasons in the NBA. Jackson had previously spoken out about the personal relationship he had with Floyd, even calling him “Twin” due to their physical similarities.

Garcia’s comments about Floyd, in addition to his use of the N-word, prompted Jackson to issue a warning.

“Someone tell @RyanGarcia to come to 3rd Ward, Texas and tell them that–“Once more about G. Floyd and see what happens” – Jackson he tweeted July 4. “When people bring up the dead, you possibly can see who’s really dying inside. Free game. It’s a distinct algorithm outside the ring, kid. Get help before it’s too late.”

Jackson sent Garcia a video message.

“First you take steroids, then you talk about digging up George Floyd and killing him again. Now you talk about hating niggas and wanting to join the KKK. Listen, man, you need help, bro.”

Jackson continued: “We don’t play by the same rules that you play by in this ring, buddy. And I’m just telling you, like I told you in DMs when you said some f—, I told you to get help because it’s a whole different game, man.”

Jackson called Garcia a “booty hunter” and urged him to “not mention George Floyd’s name.”

About an hour after Jackson told Garcia to watch out, the 25-year-old boxer took to the live broadcast again to make it clear he was not afraid of retribution.

“You won’t catch me apologizing for anything. Try to touch me all you want. Shoot me if you want. I don’t give a damn” – Garcia he said during his Instagram Live session.

“None of you are doing anything in person. It’s all internet,” Garcia said after revealing he can be at the Shakur Stevenson-Artem Harutyunyan fight on July 6.

“You’re internet gangsters. I really want everyone to come try me out,” Garcia ventured.

However, before he could show up for the Stevenson fight, Garcia seemed to have a change of heart. On July 25, Garcia took to Twitter Spaces again, this time to apologize.

He began an almost 20-minute performance live chat saying, “First of all, I want to apologize to the black community. I apologize to the Muslim community. Basically for my language and my vocabulary. Obviously, I have a lot of responsibility as a high-profile athlete and I was under the influence. I go through a lot, but I have no excuses.”

Garcia continued by saying that friends pressured him to make indelicate remarks, after which addressed issues from his personal life, including his divorce and being called ““zoological animal” by former boxer Tim Bradley on ESPN, which influenced his decisions.

Garcia then turned his attention to remarks regarding George Floyd, but as a substitute of simply apologizing, he likely wanted to undermine the case even further.

“I’m sorry for what I said about George Floyd. I understand whoever it hurt. I understand that,” he began. “I just said what I said because people told me. They told me he was a drug addict; they showed me the evidence, they showed me he had a pregnant woman at gunpoint and he didn’t like black people. He didn’t even have a black girlfriend. That guy literally didn’t represent black people. What am I supposed to do, man?”

To accompany his Twitter Spaces apology, Ryan Garcia also posted a written apology on social media, saying, “I take full responsibility for my words,” again drawing attention to the personal suffering and substance abuse issues he has experienced.

“I am misunderstood, I just have a lot of trauma… And it’s been a rough few months as everyone can tell, but I AM SORRY… I struggle with substance abuse and it’s been hard for me with everything that’s going on.”

Garcia then confessed his sympathy for black people, saying, “I actually love (B)lack people no cap, so it was really said that I offended all my (B)lack family and friends.” He also promised to now not use inappropriate language. “It sucks, but all I can do is be a better person and stop using stupid words and letting certain people in my circle turn me on… I apologize to everyone that I offended.”

However, the boxer didn’t waver on his two stances. He added: “I still stand by black-on-black crime prevention… And I hate paedophiles, so that will always be something I will defend.”

Shortly after Garcia’s initial comments, World Boxing Council president Mauricio Sulaiman announced that Garcia’s outrageous behavior had prompted the organization to ban the boxer.

“Using my authority as president of the WBC, I hereby exclude Ryan Garcia from all activities within our organization,” Sulaiman said. he said July 4. “We reject all forms of discrimination. I am concerned for (Garcia’s) well-being.”

Fans also expressed their support.

“A drunken tongue speaks a sober mind, and many truths are told in jest. When people show you who they are, believe them. Simple,” one fan commented on Instagram.

Others have suggested that Garcia suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy. The neurodegenerative disease may result from repeated head trauma, according to Mayo Clinic.

“CTE is a real disease,” one person wrote in Instagram comments.

“Ryan G. has CTE or something,” one other person said.

Garcia’s parents also spoke out and echoed their son’s words, saying his comments didn’t reflect the character of the person they knew him to be.

“Our son has recently made statements that are not true to his character or beliefs, nor to the true character of our family,” the statement reads. “Our family unequivocally does not support any of his statements regarding race or religion — they do not reflect who Ryan is or how he was raised. Those who know Ryan can attest to this fact. Ryan has been open about his ongoing struggle with mental health over the years, and as a family, we are committed to ensuring and supporting him to receive the help he needs to navigate this very difficult time and address both his immediate and long-term well-being. We appreciate your continued support, prayers, and compassion.”

Garcia announced he would seek help.

“I just want to be a positive influence now. I’m going to rehab and I’m going to make a real change in my heart. Like I said, all I can do is be better.”