US Olympian Griffin Colapinto invokes ghost of Teddy Roosevelt in war against “relentless cyber-bullying”

"This is a good opportunity to relate with anyone else going through cyber bullying, to tell you that you aren’t alone and that it sucks."

The Californian surf star, Olympian and, previously, a world title contender, Griffin Colapinto, has used former Prez Teddy Roosevelt’s famous Man in the Arena quote to strike back and what he says has been a “relentless” campaign of cyber-bullying.

In a post to his 338k fans, Griffin, who turns twenty-seven in July, ran a screenshot of Teddy’s quote along with this message.

Hey friends :), so those of you that have followed me over the years know I can be very open with my personal life and my feelings. My hope when I do that is for other people that are going through challenging moments, don’t feel alone.

So I wanna share what’s been happening in my world the past month or 2. I’ve been dealing with relentless cyber bullying from a few different accounts spreading false rumors about my personal life. I feel grateful that over the years I have developed the perspective and tools that allow me to look past this low frequency decision making. But when I see how it affects my family members and close ones, that definitely makes it harder to handle. I do feel this is a good opportunity to relate with anyone else going through cyber bullying, to tell you that you aren’t alone and that it sucks.

But if we can get anything good out of it, it would be to use this as an opportunity to challenge our self love and self belief. Focus on the people that truly love you. Don’t let anyone else determine your happiness. We have control of how we see the world! Stay positive and know that all storms will eventually pass. My compassion goes out to anyone else going through cyber bullying or any kind of bullying in general.

 

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A post shared by Griffin Colapinto (@griffin_cola)

The quote, if y’didn’t know, although you should you dang Philistines, comes from Teddy Roosevelt’s 1910 speech “Citizenship in a Republic” delivered in Paris.

Teddy said that true credit belongs to the person who strives, dares greatly, and persists despite setbacks, not the critic who merely points out flaws (ie. BeachGrit).

Teddy Roosevelt was a helluva man in the realest sense, lightly toxic, loved a clean kill, man, bird or elephant, and which he described as a mix of exhilaration and pragmatism.

He wrote of the Battle of San Juan Hill, where he killed a Spanish soldier, noting, “I had to do it.”

He expressed thrill in the chaos of battle, calling it “bully” (a favorite term for splendid), but didn’t dwell on the emotional weight of killing.

To friends, he admitted the grim reality—war was “savage work”—yet saw it as necessary for national honour.

Back to Griff, some sharp replies below the line.

“This internet thing is a real hive for low frequency pond scum. Well played sir!” writes Jed Smith.

“Fly high above the miserable scrubs,’ writes ageless Shane Dorian.

And from history buff, Matt Biolos, “Teddy Roosevelt is an American God.”

Ol Griff has long copped it from online pilots, usually from Brazilian surf fans after he’d put one or three of their favourites to the sword.

A few years back his mammy Camille reported “Violent, gruesome threats” from the Brazzos. 

“What I meant to convey is that the win doesn’t matter, it shouldn’t matter, at least not matter so much people want to turn violent. BTW Griffin is receiving violent, gruesome threats to his life and no one is doing anything to address the seriousness of the situation.

“Am I hysterical? Am I unhinged? Yeah, probably, but I am not going to apologize for raising hell. If I embarrass Griffin it certainly isn’t the first time, I assumed he got used to it. As most will now know, he got none of his chill from my DNA. I am not chill, have never been chill and don’t mind letting people know if I not happy with something.

“If people still think the comment to his post was motivated by ego, take a look at his stuff…did anyone even know Griffin and Crosby had a mom? I am busy with my own work/life. My comment was motivated by a mix of intense fear and anger.”

Question to the crowd. How do you think Teddy Roosevelt would’ve reacted to unkind comments on Instagram? With shotgun drawn or with tears?

Also, while we’re here, who else dreams of dying on the battlefield or while shielding children from a shopping centre jihadist?

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Griffin Colapinto’s Response to Cyber-Bullying