UFC middleweight fighter Tim Kennedy has received threats from ISIS that the FBI has found to be credible, according to USA Today.
Why is Tim Kennedy the target of threats? He served in the 7th Special Forces Group, and is a sergeant first class with the Texas National Guard. Groups like the Islamic State will often target high profile military personnel, and since Kennedy is also involved in MMA, the threat will certainly garner even more attention. (Case in point.)
Kennedy posting the following message on his Facebook:
Just spoke with the FBI regarding some recent credible threats towards me by #ISIS They were not overly thrilled with my response… “Let those cowards come”
He told USA Today that he typically gets five to 10 threats a day on social media, but he calls those “military trolls”.
“They said, ‘Are you aware of this stuff?’ I said, ‘Yes,’” Kennedy told USA Today. “They said, ‘We think this is somewhat credible.'” Kennedy also took to Twitter to express more feelings on the matter:
The pathetic/sad part is that they would never go after me. They prefer unarmed women, children, and journalists. https://t.co/v2hgHmJxjG
— Tim Kennedy (@TimKennedyMMA) January 14, 2016
Kennedy truly seems unfazed by the threat, which, sadly, shows just how often he really these types of threats are sent his way. He recently started a group that focuses on teaching people to protect themselves and others, called Sheepdog Response.
“What’s the definition of terrorism?” Kennedy said. “It’s to achieve an objective through the use of force and fear. These are just nasty, evil, disgusting human beings who disrespect human life.”
“I teach people how to live with threats like this,” Kennedy said. “Who would I be to be cowering to a bunch of gutless cowards acting like a bunch of tough guys online?”
Kennedy seems more prepared for such threats than most, especially if he’s coaching other people on how to deal with them. He is one brave soul that we could all learn from.
