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HULK HOGAN'S CHILDHOOD COMMENTS DON'T GO OVER WELL WITH HIS HOMETOWN

The Hulk Hogan story on ABC's "Nightline" was pretty much a re-edited, longer version of his comments from "Good Morning America."

During his ABC interview, Hogan was asked point blank if he was a racist and responded, "No, I'm not. I'm not a racist. I never should have said what I said. It was wrong. I'm embarrassed by it, but a lot of people need to realize that you inherit things from the environment and when I grew up, it was South Tampa...it was a rough neighborhood, very low income, and all my friends...we greeted each other saying that word. The word was thrown around like it was nothing."

Hogan was then asked if it was "fair to say he inherited a racial bias." He responded, "I would say that is very fair. The environment I grew up in....all my white friends, all my black friends, to hear that word on a daily basis. That's how they would greet me in the morning. 'Good morning, so and so.' I think it was part of the culture and the environment that I grew up in."

Those comments did not exactly endear himself to his hometown neighborhood, according to WTSP-TV in Tampa.

The story quoted Linda Bryat, described as a childhood friend of Hogan, who commented, "That was not the culture when Terry grew up here." Bratt also commented, "Terry was the first guy to ever be a role model for this neighborhood and he had the kids wrapped around his finger. He had the biggest fan base you ever could imagine and he did nothing with it."

The story also featured a quote from another resident who wishes to remain anonymous who commented that while the neighborhood was indeed poor, the "n" word wasn't used.

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