CrossFit Founder, CEO Resigns: 'I Created A Rift'

SANTA CRUZ, CA — CrossFit's founder and longtime CEO, Greg Glassman, resigned Tuesday after a vague Tweet potentially referencing the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody and comments he admits "created a rift in the CrossFit community."

Before his resignation, Glassman responded to a tweet from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation. The tweet was linked to a statement from the institute's director, along with the caption, "Racism and discrimination are critical public health issues that demand an urgent response. #BlackLivesMatter."

To that Tweet, Glassman simply replied, "It's FLOYD-19."

It's unclear what Glassman meant in his tweet, but in its aftermath, Reebok cut ties with CrossFit, along with several gyms previously affiliated with the fitness brand, according to several news reports.

Buzzfeed News later obtained a recording of a Zoom call in which Glassman was heard saying “I doubt very much that they’re mourning for [George] Floyd. I don’t think that there’s a general mourning for Floyd in any community.”

According to the report, Glassman also used the call to bring up theories including his belief that Floyd was killed to "silence him" over a counterfeit money conspiracy, among others.

In a statement Tuesday, Glassman announced his retirement from CrossFit.

"On Saturday I created a rift in the CrossFit community and unintentionally hurt many of its members," the statement read, in part. "I know that CrossFit is the solution to this epidemic and that CrossFit HQ and its staff serve as the stewards of CrossFit affiliates worldwide. I cannot let my behavior stand in the way of HQ’s or affiliates’ missions. They are too important to jeopardize.”

In Glassman's stead, CrossFit executive Dave Castro will take the helm. Castro also released a statement calling for mutual respect and fellowship. Castro was formerly the fitness company's Director of the CrossFit Games and Co-Director of Training.

"I’m honored to take on the role of CEO of CrossFit, Inc," Castro's statement read, in part. "I hope to do right by affiliates, trainers, athletes, and other members of the CrossFit community around the world and never lose sight of the mission Greg established for us all.”

CrossFit was founded in Santa Cruz and is now headquartered in Washington, D.C.