Fitness trainer and Team USA Paintball player Jessica Maiolo has been booted off the squad after she was accused of ‘fat-shaming’ a teenager hospitalized for by saying he needs ‘a f**king treadmill’ more than a vaccine.
The team, which is not affiliated with the Olympics, announced on Monday they were cutting ties with Maiolo, 31, after she shared a video on in which she scornfully reacted to a news report about David Espino, 17, a high school all-star football player.
The video earned furious backlash, with commenters comparing her to a ‘Hallmark movie villain’ for ridiculing a sick child and calling on her team to kick her out.
Team USA Paintball initially responded on Monday by saying that Maiolo had been suspended pending an investigation but adding: ‘We try to respect every individual’s right to have opinions and express them personally.’
Less than 24 hours later the team announced her removal ‘effective immediately,’ writing in a statement: ‘Our investigation into the troubling conduct of Ms.Maiolo has been concluded and we have decided to remove her from the team indefinitely.’
Team USA Paintball player Jessica Maiolo (pictured) was booted off the squad on Monday after she was accused of ‘fat-shaming’ a teenager hospitalized for COVID-19 by saying he needs ‘a f**king treadmill’ rather than a vaccine
Maiolo shared a video on TikTok in which she scornfully reacted to a news report about David Espino, 17, a Florida high school all-star football player.
‘Playing for Team USA Paintball means representing the sport at the highest level and being a leader both on and off the field,’ the statement continued.
‘We are an eclectic mix of culture, opinions and ideas — and that’s what makes our sport so great.We cannot tear each other down, both within our community and out. We are hopeful that this will serve as a valuable lesson for anyone paying attention.’
Ahead of her removal from the team, Maiolo shared a statement on Instagram on Monday, saying it was ‘never my intention to shame any individual.’
‘What started out as me expressing my personal opinion about something I feel quite passionately about, has turned into a moment of regret for the situation I have put my teammates, our sponsors and the sport I love into,’ the statement reads.
‘If I were to have such a moment again to convey my full thoughts, I would choose my words more carefully and consider how my opinions may affect others,’ Maiolo added.
Espino, (pictured) who is an offensive lineman at Miami Tru Foundation Academy, has been dubbed an ‘under-the-radar prospect,’ and won his school’s ‘Iron Man Award’ in May.
On TV: Jessica, who is from Greenville, North Carolina, recently captured herself watching an ABC News report about rising COVID cases affecting children
In the report, high school football player David Espino, 17, spoke out about his experience battling the illness for 10 days in the hospital, where he was hooked up to oxygen
Maiolo, who is a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist with Fit in 15, is from Greenville, North Carolina and joined Team USA in 2016 with the team Texas Phalanx.
She was the first and only female to win Best Divisional Move of the Event NXL 2016 for the D500 format and is also a one-time National Women’s Team USA Champion 2018.
Maiolo was captured watching an ABC News report about rising COVID cases affecting children when she created the video mocking Espino.
In the report, Espino spoke out about his experience battling the illness for 10 days in the hospital, where he was hooked up to oxygen.
In a statement announcing her removal ‘effective immediately,’ the Team USA Paintball wrote: ‘Our investigation into the troubling conduct of Ms.Maiolo has been concluded and we have decided to remove her from the team indefinitely.’
‘Ma’am, your kid does not need a COVID shot.Your kid needs a f***in’ treadmill. That’s what he needs,’ she said with a smug smile
‘It’s pretty scary,’ he said said, warning viewers that anyone could get the virus.
Espino, who is an offensive lineman at Miami Tru Foundation Academy, has been dubbed an ‘under-the-radar prospect’ and won his school’s ‘Iron Man Award’ in May.
His school described him as a ‘hard worker, who continues to put himself in a position to make an impact.’
In a video that’s captured the attention of thousands of other TikTokers, Jessica paused the screen on an image of the hospitalized teen and his worried mother.
But Jessica clearly had no sympathy for David or his parents.
‘Ma’am, your kid does not need a COVID shot.Your kid needs a f***in’ treadmill. That’s what he needs,’ she said with a smug smile.
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