Titus O’Neil was on a recent episode of Edge & Christian’s Pod Of Awesomeness and went into detail about his recent meeting with Lars Sullivan. He says Lars, who was fined $100,000 by WWE for past racist, homophobic and misogynistic comments, made some mistakes early in his life but he deserves a chance to prove that’s not who he is anymore. Titus went into detail saying people called for Lars to be fired, but he believes people change:
“I know we were not on this subject, but with Lars Sullivan. He made some comments that were oppressive and offensive to several demographics of people. Lars sought me out and he sought out other people. I saw with Lars for 35 minutes in talent relations. I saw a man who had clearly made mistakes in his choice of words and his mindset, years before he became my coworker. People automatically call for him to be fired and ostracized, my thing is that people change. If that’s who he really is, then he has no place in any profession, wrestling or otherwise. He doesn’t deserve to live a life of luxury or grace if he chooses to be that person. But I looked at a person who was very humbled and apologetic and very misguided.
Not to say that there’s ever an excuse, but until you know someone personally, you can’t take things personally. I believe in my heart that the situation with Lars will be a teachable moment for everybody, and I’m willing to put my name on this situation just going by my gut and my heart simply because of how he came to me as a man. As a man, to sit down with another man, you have my utmost respect. He could have easily evaded me and easily let the company deal with it. He chose to go a different route. I am hoping that my gut is right, and I’ll do my best to help him learn from the whole situation.
When it comes to people making bad judgment calls, not one person on this Earth is perfect, including me. I’m not a perfect dad, I’m not the perfect human being. Everybody deserves an opportunity. If that’s not who he is now, give him the opportunity to show that.”
Titus later said he really feels like this will be a teachable moment for everyone, and says Lars came to him as a man and talked things out. Titus said his goal is to help Lars learn from this experience, not just move on, and there may be a positive outcome due because he might be able to use this opportunity to grow other people around him.
Related: Titus O’Neil Says Lars Sullivan Reached Out To Apologize, Thanks Vince McMahon For Taking Action
