WWE Releases Statement On Jordan Myles Shirt, Says Myles Approved The Design
WWE responds to controversy.
On Sunday morning, Jordan Myles called out WWE for releasing a t-shirt with racist connotations attached to it. The shirt had Myles’ name in bold lettering on a red background depicting a giant smile. The combination of a black shirt, red background and white lettering is similar to racist blackface with red lips and white teeth. The shirt was released in September before NXT premiered on USA, but was pulled from WWE shop at some point between then and now.
I will keep posting this till my voice is heard. I’m not sorry for anything I say or do.
Representation is important.
If this is @VinceMcMahon & @TripleH “vision” of me then this is a slap in the face to EVERY African American performer, fan, and supporter. pic.twitter.com/S6Gtg9e4lP
— Jordan Myles (@GoGoMyles) October 27, 2019
In a statement released on Sunday night (via PWInsider), WWE gave its side of the story.
“Albert Hardie Jr. (aka Jordan Myles) approved this t-shirt for sale. As always, we work collaboratively with all of our performers to develop logos and merchandise designs and get their input and approval before proceeding. This was the same process with Albert, and we responded swiftly once he later requested that the logo/t-shirt be redesigned. No t-shirts were sold.”
Myles has yet to respond to the statement.
WWE superstars Lio Rush and Cedric Alexander stood with Myles following the controversy. Myles began the hashtag #ForTheCulture and encouraged fans to change their Twitter avatars to black and white photos.
