On the heels of a successful UFC debut, Andrea Lee suddenly finds herself making waves for the wrong reasons.Over the weekend, Lee (9-2 MMA, 1-0 UFC) shared a photo on social media of herself and husband Donny Aaron enjoying time together at a lake. The photo appeared innocent enough until people pointed out that Aaron, who is also Lee’s coach, had a swastika tattoo on his left arm.That led people to dig up another photo showing the Nazi SS bolt symbol tattooed on Aaron’s right arm.
(Instagram/@andreakgblee)
On Sunday morning, Aaron issued a lengthy public apology on Twitter to anyone offended by his tattoos. He confirmed that they were done during his time in prison and said he’s now a changed man.
“Neither one of us are racists, we have an Asian & a black guy that live with us! Oh my gosh guys it’s a tattoo he got when he was in prison, get over yourelves. He covers them up all the time & we happen to have a lake day and it makes an appearance. Sensitive ass mofos.”
Lee, a former LFA women’s flyweight champion, made her UFC debut last month at UFC Fight Night 129 in Santiago, Chile, where she defeated Veronica Macedo by unanimous decision to earn a “Fight of the Night” bonus.For more on the upcoming UFC schedule, visit the UFC Rumors section of the site.
Please read this and accept my most sincere apologies to all I have offended when the photos of my tattoos became public. Id most like to apologize to Andrea and my brother Kendrik (both pictured) for putting them in a position to feel the need to defend me when there is no defense or justification for the abhorrent tattoos that I ashamedly wear. Id also like to apologize to her employers at the UFC for bringing them shame and embarrassment. Not least of these I apologize to MMA fans world wide for giving the sport a temporary black eye and for offending so many of those whove supported us for years. And to all of the elite pro fighters Ive been blessed to work with I pray this doesnt change your opinion of me even through most of this groups know my story. Furthermore, Id like to apologize to Andreas sponsors who were certainly blindsided by this as were many.
Know that I only offer reasons, not excuses or justification for the choices I made in my 20s. My body is covered in tattoos that tell the story of where I have been, what Ive gone through and what Ive overcome. These scars tell my history which include a dark time when I was in prison. However, they do not accurately represent who I am today as a person, my personal belief system and the respect I have for people of all races and religion. For 13 years I have tried to atone for my sins and seek forgiveness from those most certainly find my body reprehensible. Ive, in most cases, gone to great lengths to always wear long sleeves in public setting. The photo posted was complacent error in judgment as my excitement and not thoughtfulness ruled that day.
Many of you have offered solutions to my problem: Coverups, laser removal etc. Please trust me when I say Ive explored both avenues and unfortunately neither is an option for me. In the meantime, I understand that many wont forgive me and dont believe in second chances and to you I say, I understand. I dont deserve forgiveness and Im certainly not asking for sympathy. If however you do believe in forgiveness, then I promise it wont be wasted on me. I am a different human being un my mid 40s that I was in my 20s.
As a final statement to Andreas character, its with certainty that I can promise you that she didnt marry a racist. When Andrea and I met, I had already began to reinvent my life and if shed seen any racist behavior or attitude shed have never given me the time of day. Instead, she met a man who was and still does speak to at risk youth, who goes and speaks to inmates, who is active in his church, and who has always offered pro bono training to physically challenged and unprivileged youth. My life has become very culturally diverse and Andrea stared right passed my tattoos [and] at the man Ive become. I cant offer many solutions but I do offer this: Unless you go digging up old photos of me, youll never see my tattoos again. Id rather hold the camera for Andrea, the real star anyway. Again, I offer myself as a humble and apologetic man.
Please dont let the sins of my past define my future. Please dont let your hatred over me bleed into hatred toward Andrea. If you have to hate someone then please hate me. She doesnt deserve it. She is genuinely the best person I know.