Thread by @RyanHobbsMMA

THREAD:
“If I can be that person, I'm honored to be that person. If I can inspire somebody or kids can look up to me in that way, then definitely, I'll definitely be that person"

-Cain Valasquez on being a role
model in 2010.

1/12:

Up until now, the only thing that people feared about Cain Velasquez was the prospect of facing him in the octagon. He was a heavyweight phenom and arguably unbeatable at his best.

Recently, while retired from competition,

2/12:

Cain found himself living a family man’s worst nightmare. His own relative, of whom he is supposed to help protect from the evils of the world had fallen victim to sexual abuse.

The suspect was able to avoid incarceration and instead would be wearing an ankle monitor.

3/12:

This was a form of legal leniency being provided for a man who potentially ruined countless lives.

I can only imagine the sleepless nights Cain experienced after learning this innocent child was forcefully used to satisfy the twisted needs of a monster.

4/12:

We often hear adults admit to being molested as helpless children. They often keep it to themselves until they’re too old for anything to be done about it. The suspects are often long gone by then. We always wish we had been there to catch the perpetrator.

5/12:

We think that had we been there, we would have taught them a lesson. We would have beaten them senseless, exposed them to the general public, made sure they could never live a normal life again—perhaps, even kill them. Cain Velasquez found himself in that exact situation.

6/12:

Velasquez’s relative, told police that Harry Goularte took him into a bathroom at the home daycare center that his mother runs and touched his genitals. This apparently happened an estimated “100 times,” and Goularte told the child not to tell anybody.

7/12:

The child reportedly told police that he saw other children go into the bathroom with Goularte, too.

I’m not here to tell you that Cain’s reaction wasn’t reckless. It was incredibly dangerous. Innocent people could have been killed.

8/12:

But how rational can you expect somebody to behave when they’re forced to dwell on the despicable nature of these accusations.

Cain Velasquez isn’t a criminal. He’s a devoted family man who saw the worst the world had to offer, and he snapped.

9/12:

Would you have reacted the same? I might have. I don’t know exactly what I would have done but I can guarantee I wouldn’t be able to stand idly by.

If the claims against Cain Velasquez and Harry Goularte are 100% factual, which crimes hurt more people?

10/12:

...Cain’s one time attack or Harrys longstanding sexual abuse?

And furthermore, which crimes were enacted for a noble cause? Which crimes indicated a scary pattern?

11/12:

There’s a difference between a career criminal and a lapse in judgment motivated by protecting one’s family from the scum of the Earth.

12/12:

#FreeCainVelasquez

Supports gather outside of the courthouse wearing shirts with the hashtag #FreeCain