Former Gopher Wrestler Says He Wants To Fight Obama
By Edgar Linares, NewsRadio 830 WCCO
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A former Gopher wrestler is learning that you don't even joke about wanting to harm the President after he got a visit from the Secret Service.
Jacob Volkmann is an Ultimate Fighting Champion and chiropractor from White Bear Lake, Minn.
The website MMA-fighting.com features an interview that Volkmann did after a recent "Ultimate Fighting" match.
He was asked who he wanted to fight next and he said President Obama.
"He's not too bright. He made a lot of -- like the making homes affordable plan and his health care plan. Someone's got to knock some sense into that idiot," said Volkmann in the interview.
Volkmann explained later in the interview that he thinks the President's health care plan could hurt his chiropractic business.
After the video went online Volkmann got some nasty e-mails and one said they were going to turn him in to the Secret Service.
"There was a few phone calls to D.C. saying I was making threats on the president. And the lady that turned me in, sent me an email saying she was going to do it," said Volkmann.
On Tuesday, Volkmann said a Secret Service agent and a White Bear Lake Police Officer tracked him down at a high school where he was coaching youth wrestling.
"They took me out of practice and asked me a few questions. First thing he said was 'I just want to make sure you're not going to (Washington) D.C. to harm the President,'" he said.
Volkmann says the agent was embarrassed to be there asking his questions.
"He had a picture of me, he had the quote. He had some more information. He wouldn't let me see in the folder," said Volkmann.
Volkmann says he told the agent he didn't actually intend to threaten the president and it doesn't appear there will be any charges.
When asked if he regretted what he said, Volkmann replied, "No, no, I'm going to stick with what I said. ... I'm sticking to it, because that's my opinion. That's how I feel about the policy."
"It made me laugh and I was surprised it got as much attention as it did," said Andrew Kapel who trains with Volkmann. "I think it was a throw away comment."
While the president won't be his next contender, Volkmann wouldn't shy away from an opportunity to compete against him.
"I'm not good at basketball. I think he'd win that one," said Volkmann.
The Secret Service would not comment on how it's procedures for following up on remarks and threats against the President.
Watch YouTube video of the Volkmann interview here.
NewsRadio 830 WCCO's Edgar Linares Reports
