Reddit AMA 'disaster' forces Ronda Rousey to apologize 11 years after sharing Sandy Hook conspiracy video

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Ronda Rousey, the former MMA fighter turned professional wrestler, has issued a public apology for sharing a Sandy Hook conspiracy theory video 11 years ago.

The 37-year-old Californian shared the controversial conspiracy video on X, formerly known as Twitter, and has now come forward with a lengthy statement expressing her deep regret.

Did Reditt AMA force Ronda Rousey to apologize after 11 years?

Ronda Rousey’s apology came late Thursday night, August 22, after what appears to be a disastrous Reddit AMA (Ask Me Anything) session.

She had started a Kickstarter campaign for her graphic novel 'Expecting the Unexpected,' according to Game Rant. But the session brought renewed attention to her past comments about the Sandy Hook tragedy, prompting her to finally address the issue publicly.

"In your graphic novel “EXPECTING THE UNEXPECTED” Will we see something unexpected like you apologizing to or acknowledging the families of the victims of the Sandy Hook Massacre where 20 children were ruthlessly gunned down? Talk about EXPECTING THE UNEXPECTED! Can’t wait to read the book!" one Reddit comment on her AMA post read.

Ronda Rousey says she feels 'remorseful and ashamed'

In her heartfelt apology, Ronda Rousey revealed that she has lived with regret every day since sharing the Sandy Hook conspiracy video in January 2013, just a month after the tragic December 2012 massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut.

The massacre resulted in the deaths of 20 children and six staff members. Rousey explained that she had been grappling with the decision to apologize for years.

"I apologize that this came 11 years too late, but to those affected by the Sandy Hook massacre, from the bottom of my heart and depth of my soul I am so so sorry for the hurt I caused," she wrote.

"I can’t even begin to imagine the pain you’ve endured, and words cannot describe how thoroughly remorseful and ashamed I am of myself for contributing it," she added.

Ronda Rousey reflected  on the impact of her actions

Ronda Rousey admitted that sharing the conspiracy video was "the single most regrettable decision of my life."

She had reposted a YouTube video containing false information about the Sandy Hook shooting, captioning it as “Extremely interesting, and must-watch," according to NBC News.

However, the post was met with outrage, and she quickly deleted it. "I didn’t even believe it, but was so horrified at the truth that I was grasping for an alternative fiction to cling to instead," Rousey wrote in her apology.

Despite immediately regretting her actions, Rousey chose to stay silent, fearing that addressing the issue could cause more harm.

"By some miracle it seemingly slipped under the media’s radar, I was never asked about it so I never spoke of it again, afraid that calling attention to it would have the opposite of the intended effect," she said.

Rousey concluded her apology with a warning to others who might be swayed by conspiracy theories.

"They will only make you feel powerless, afraid, miserable and isolated. You’re doing nothing but hurting others and yourself," she cautioned, adding "No matter how long you’ve gone down the wrong road, you should still turn back."

Internet reacts to Ronda Rousey’s apology

The response to Ronda Rousey’s apology has been mixed. Some users on X expressed sympathy for her situation, while others questioned the timing of her apology.

"Sad society we live in where she has to beg for forgiveness over a Twitter retweet 11 years ago," wrote one user on X.

Another user asked, "Can someone please explain to me why she’s making a sudden apology after 11 years? Is she skint or something?"

Some users suggested that the apology came after Rousey's recent Reddit AMA disaster, where participants were quick to bring up her past comments about Sandy Hook.

"Holy s**t Reddit made this happen," wrote one user.

One more wrote, "This feels very sincere." Another added, "The Sandy Hook families didn't deserve any of this. Their grief was made worse by the lies of people looking to profit off their tragedy. Your role in amplifying that only made that suffering worse Acknowledging that is a big step & your apology seems sincere and understanding."

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