Travis Williams, Jessica Griffith Let Go From Misfits Athletics Team Following Racist Texts

Right now we’re in some very challenging times and we don’t really need to explain with all of the events that are currently going on. Emotions are high and therefore, being considerate with our actions and words is to be expected as it always is, of course.

Well, CrossFit athletes Travis Williams and Jessica Griffith were a little insensitive in some very recent text messages in a group chat setting on May 25. Both athletes apparently made some comments that were very inappropriate which included the slang version of the N-word. 

Although it was implied that they meant no harm, athlete Chandler Smith, who is black, asked them to not use that word in the group message as it was offensive.

Williams responded with the following…

“I’m too white privileged to see why that’s offensive, you mad bro.”

Then Griffith replied with…

“Chan Man if you get mad at a white country bumpkin girl saying n**** we got bigger fish to fry. Sorry you’re offended, but it was by no means hateful – big difference there.”

Below you can watch the very sincere video response regarding the inappropriate comments that led to the release of both athletes from team Misfits Athletics. 

“Misfit Athletics Video Response
Drew sits down to address what transpired in the decision to remove Jessica and Travis from our team, and the current state of affairs in our country.”

View this post on Instagram

Drew sits down to address what transpired in the decision to remove Jessica and Travis from our team, and the current state of affairs in our country.

A post shared by MisFit Athletics (@misfitathletics) on Jun 6, 2020 at 1:17pm PDT

Travis responded to the comments:

View this post on Instagram

I offended a lot of people by defending a phrase. A phrase I will not repeat. I did not mean any harm by defending this phrase, but I've realized now that it was harmful and very insensitive. I apologize for the insensitivity of my comments. I am completely devastated over the many great people I have lost as friends over these texts. I hope in time you can see by my actions that I can change for the better. Thank you to all the people that have been brutally honest with me. I respect people that are honest with me & I hope everyone can continue being honest with me. I'm not someone who ever sugarcoats and I don't expect that from you. It'd be easier for me to try to hide from everything coming my way right now but that's not what I want to do. It shouldn't be easy. I definitely made a mistake which you’ve all seen. It is the result of a larger issue, and that’s my lack of sensitivity and understanding which I plan on improving. I want an opportunity to prove I can be better. I hope you can forgive me for this, or at least I can earn your forgiveness in time as i become a better man. I know this typed up apology doesn't really do much, but its a start. From here I need to get better. I'm talking to the smartest people I know, doing research, listening and starting with myself to become more informed and just an all-round better guy. Kinda like training, if you want change its going to take a lot of time and practice, but I'm willing to put in the work. Sorry for the awful comparison, but fitness is what I understand best. Much love, Travis

A post shared by Travis Williams (@travismfwilliams) on Jun 6, 2020 at 2:41pm PDT

Jessica Griffith’s social media has since been deactivated but initially, she wrote this after her racist comments:

“There’s no other way to start this other than saying, “I’m sorry.” I’m sorry and I want to take full responsibility by admitting that what I said was WRONG. I’m sorry that I insensitively, playfully, and casually used a term, I should instead, refrain from EVER using. I’m sorry that I tried to justify it. I should have immediately apologized the very moment I was confronted. Most importantly, I’m sorry that I hurt people, friends, and the Black community as a whole. The bottom line is, I was wrong and there’s no other direction to point the finger than at me.”

CrossFit CEO Greg Glassman also made some very insensitive comments recently and it caused a pretty big outrage in the CrossFit community. Big names in the sport have spoken out and there has been a lot of upset. He did apologize for his comments thereafter.

It’s very unfortunate that at a time like this, he’d respond with what he did on social media and we truly hope things improve from this point forward.