Report: Obama remarks cost MMA fighter
A mixed martial arts fighter from Minnesota has been suspended from his job as an assistant wrestling coach following comments he made about President Barack Obama last month.
Jacob Volkmann, 31, of White Bear Lake, Minn., told FOXNews.com he was placed on paid administrative leave Friday by the White Bear Lake School District after he invited Obama to make an appointment with him for a "glass-ectomy" on Dec. 30.
"A glass-ectomy is when you cut your belly button out and put a piece of glass in there so when you have your head up your butt you can see where you're going," Volkmann told a reporter following his victory over Efrain Escudero at UFC 141.
Volkmann said at least one parent contacted school officials and complained about his latest comments regarding the commander-in-chief. In 2011, Volkmann was visited by the Secret Service after he said Obama was "not too bright" and that "someone's got to knock some sense into that idiot." No charges were filed.
"I went to practice on Friday and they wanted to meet before practice," he told FOXNews.com. "They said, 'As of now, you cannot be around the kids.'"
Volkmann, who has not been contacted by the Secret Service for his latest anti-Obama tirade, said the comments were intended as a "joke" but stood by the remarks.
"The thing is, the joke was made to make people look at why I said it," he continued. "I only have a few seconds on air, so I need to make them count. [But] I feel that way. It was just a joke."
Volkmann said he will consider contacting an attorney if his mandated leave lasts longer than two weeks. He has worked as an assistant wrestling coach in the 8,100-student school district for four years, he said.
Marisa Vette, director of communications for the White Bear Lake School District, confirmed that Volkmann has been placed on paid administrative leave pending an investigation. It is unclear how many complaints were received regarding Volkmann's comments, she said.
Vette referred additional questions regarding Volkmann's employment to Chris Picha, the school district's director of personnel. She could not be reached for comment early Tuesday.
