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Mark Agnew

Travis Williams and Jessica Griffith, former members of the MisFit Athletics CrossFit team, have both issued apologies after images of a private text conversation were shared showing them using and defending racist language.
The news comes while CrossFit is in the midst of a crisis, with athletes, sponsors and gyms turning their backs on the sport because CEO Greg Glassman tweeted “It’s FLOYD-19”, linking George Floyd, who died at the hands of a white police officer, and the Covid-19 pandemic.
In the text conversation, dated May 25, Griffith praised one her teammates performance by saying: “Myyyyy n***a that’s what I’m talking about.”
Several others in the text conversation expressed discontent with the use of the word. A notable team member is Chandler Smith, one of the few high-profile black athletes in CrossFit.

The owner of MisFit Athletics, Drew Crandall, joined the conversation to make it clear that was unacceptable.
By that point, Williams had defended Griffith: “I’m too white privileged to see why that’s offensive,” he wrote. “You mad bro.”
Sponsors abandon CrossFit after CEO’s George Floyd tweet
She also doubled down: “Chan Man, if you get mad at a white country bumpkin girl saying n***a, we got bigger fish to fry.”
After they were kicked off the team, Williams wrote a long apology 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 realised now that it was harmful and very insensitive,” he wrote.




















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



Williams thanked others for being “brutally honest” with him. Williams said he was working hard to understand the sensitive subject better and listen to others.
“Kinda like training, if you want change it’s 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,” he wrote.
Smith replied to the message: “Salute. All love. Onwards.”
Director of training resigns from CrossFit over George Floyd tweet
Griffith’s account has since been deactivated, but initially she wrote: “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.”
She echoed Williams’ point and said “change starts within”, and that she wanted to learn and become more informed on the subject of race.
“I’m not perfect. I WILL make mistakes. But I hope my heart is seen and there is grace and patience with me as I’m putting my best foot forward to learn the way,” she wrote.




















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



MistFit Athletics uploaded a six-minute video addressing the text chat and the “terrible acts of injustice against the black community”.
Crandall said that condemning all forms of racism is no longer about politics, but about what is right and wrong. Although it is important to acknowledge white privilege, that is not an excuse to remain silent.
He then went on to talk about the texts. The initial plan was to remove both from the team, but he decided to let everyone “sleep on it”.
CrossFit’s CEO George Floyd scandal is a lesson in corporate ethics
By the following day, May 26, the team unanimously agreed to remove the pair, he said. “We see far too many instances in this country where commerce and self interest is placed above humanity,” he said.
Crandall detailed how both athletes had reacted to their termination. Williams said he needed time to collect his thoughts and Griffith said she supported and understood the decision.
“We know listening needs to lead to action. Black lives matter. We are committed to standing in solidarity and amplifying the voices of those who have been silenced for so long,” he added.


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Travis Williams (second from right) with the MisFit CrossFit team in Dubai. He has now been removed from the team after defending the use of a racial slur on a text group. Photo: Adnan Karimjee/Dubai CrossFit Championship

Racist text conversation by Travis Williams and Jessica Griffith, crossfitters

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Travis Williams and Jessica Griffith both post apologies on Instagram after a private text group screenshot shows use of derogatory language



Travis Williams and Jessica Griffith both post apologies on Instagram after a private text group screenshot shows use of derogatory language.


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Extreme fitness

MisFit CrossFitters apologise after being kicked off team for racist language in group text

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;} Travis Williams and Jessica Griffith both post apologies on Instagram after a private text group screenshot shows use of derogatory language

Travis Williams and Jessica Griffith both post apologies on Instagram after a private text group screenshot shows use of derogatory language