A Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt has responded to his former academy after they publicly distanced themselves from him following controversial social media posts about conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Timothy Lee Peterson took to social media to challenge One Jiu Jitsu Academy‘s characterization of itself as a “non-political” institution, sharing what he claims are examples of political messaging from within the gym itself. Peterson posted images showing gym members wearing American flag attire and highlighted posts from a gym instructor that he argues contradict the academy’s stated neutrality.
The controversy began when One Jiu Jitsu Academy released a statement clarifying that Peterson
“has not been employed by One Jiu Jitsu since March 2025” and that “any statements or actions he makes—online or otherwise—are his own and have no connection to our academy, our staff, or our students.”
The academy emphasized its commitment to maintaining a non-political training environment, stating,
“For over 10 years, we have built our reputation on hard work, respect, and community… We do not endorse or participate in political discussions.”
Peterson’s original posts had criticized Kirk and his supporters, including an image stating that Kirk
“did not love this country”
and describing Kirk’s supporters as following a
“cult leader.”
These comments drew significant attention online and prompted the academy’s public response.
In his rebuttal, Peterson questioned the gym’s claims of political neutrality by sharing photographs that he says tell a different story. One image shows gym members wearing American flag shorts and overalls, while another features an instructor identified as Shawn, who describes himself on social media as a “Marine, Cajun, Jiu-Jitsu 1° Black Belt.”
Peterson highlighted a caption from one of Shawn’s posts that sparked its own controversy, where the instructor joked about a
“token black friend”
visiting the gym.
The timing of Peterson’s dismissal aligns with a broader trend across educational institutions nationwide. Several college staff members have recently faced suspensions or dismissals over social media comments regarding Kirk. Universities in South Carolina, Tennessee and Mississippi have taken action against employees who posted content deemed inappropriate, with Clemson University suspending an employee after legislative backlash and Cumberland University announcing staff departures over similar social media activity.
Peterson’s counter-narrative raises questions about consistency in applying political neutrality standards and whether certain forms of patriotic expression are viewed differently than others. The Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu community, like many athletic and educational spaces, continues to grapple with how to navigate political discourse while maintaining inclusive training environments.
