Tampa, Florida -- A local wrestling star is under fire once again Monday night after slamming the neighborhood where he grew up while he appeared in national TV.
Hulk Hogan said in an exclusive interview on "Good Morning America" that he blames his use of racial slurs on the South Tampa neighborhood he lived in during his childhood.
Hogan said that using the N word was part of growing up in his neighborhood, but neighbors say that's not true.
"It was wrong. I'm embarrassed by it but a lot of people need to realize that you inherit things you're your environment," says Hogan during the interview.
The words came right from Hogan's mouth after being asked whether or not he's a racist.
Hogan blames S. Tampa for use of racial slur
"Where I grew up was South Tampa and it was a really rough neighborhood, very low income and all my friends we greeted each other saying that word," says Hogan.
Linda Bryant who grew up with Terry Bollea, the real name of the Hulk, says she never remembers hearing the N word.
"That was not the culture when Terry grew up here," says Bryant.
Another neighbor agrees.
"There was a time this area was poor but we didn't say that word," says a neighbor.
He says his children grew up next to the house Bollea lived in.
"My daughters not like that. My sons not like that."
People here say they have always been a fan of Bollea but wish he would've done more for the next generation.
"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," says Bryant.
The famous wrestler continues to seek forgiveness.
"I think that was part of the culture I grew up in," says Hogan.
But, others in the neighborhood wish he'd start to grow up and take responsibility for his own actions.
"If you said it then own it," says a neighbor.
: