Retired UFC fighter Tim Kennedy has issued an apology after admitting to lying about certain military acclaims he has never actually received during his years of service.
The popular YouTube channel hosted by retired Green Bellet’s Nathan Horny posted a video in a 2017 interview that claimed that Kennedy had won a brave star after explaining a scenario in which he defeated the “bad guy” during a conflict on a job tour. In the past, Kennedy has not publicly claimed that he had won a bronze star at Valor, a very specific military award distributed for “participation in heroism’s acts with conflict with armed enemies.”
After Cornacchia posted the video, featured an interview with Kennedy, claiming that he had been encouraged by the brave star and talked about what led to the award, the 45-year-old veteran announced a lengthy apology for himself and the misrepresentation of the award he charged during his military service.
“I want to be completely and clearly responsible for serious mistakes,” Kennedy wrote on Instagram. “Over the years, I have issued an official statement and interviewed me about unintentionally misinterpreting the false aspects of the military service. Most notably, I have directly or indirectly implied that it was awarded to a brave bronze star. That’s not true. There are no excuses. I have won it and offer to their family and brothers that I said I downplayed your service and I am making it completely.”
“When I walked into the public eye and the scrutiny and pressure that came with it, it didn’t need to exempt me. Honesty wasn’t circumstantial and I couldn’t support the standard I claimed to represent. Please respond.”
After spending most of his career in organizations like StrikeForce and The IFL, Kennedy, who competed in the UFC five times, has promised to advance to higher standards.
“This apology isn’t the end, it’s the beginning,” Kennedy wrote. “I am committed to rebuilding trust through honest reflection, visible accountability and ongoing service to the community that misrepresented myself. I will not talk about my service in a way that elevates me more than I have actually done.
“From now on, my words will be led by truth, humility and respect. I understand that words alone will not heal disappointment or restore trust. Thank you for taking accountability to me only by time and actions.
The apology had not yet landed with other members of the military community, including another former green beret named Alex Theodosis, who blowed up Kennedy in his apology way.
“Tim, the whole public persona and the lies you said are something other than “unintentional,” he wrote on Instagram. “Nothing of what you made was coincidental. Since 2007, all the web of lies you’ve been spinning has been intentional and fame and money purpose. When you were asked for a point blank for having a BSM-V, it was the perfect time to clear the record.
“The non-apology this ChatGpt was created is “I’m sorry. To barely glaz one of your many lies and promise to “better” won’t even hurt the veteran community and (special forces) regiments that are worthy of you. ”