A Florida school board member is under fire after reacting to Hulk Hogan’s death with a remark that many called outright disgusting.
Sarah Rockwell, who serves on the Alachua County School Board, made waves when she commented on Facebook in response to the wrestling icon’s passing. Her words were blunt:
“Oh did Hulk die? I didn’t even know. Good. One less MAGA in the world.”
The comment quickly went viral, drawing backlash from both local residents and national voices who questioned her judgment, professionalism, and fitness to serve. Some are now demanding she step down.
Facing mounting pressure, Rockwell took to Facebook to issue a public apology and explain her side of the story.
“A few days ago, I made a cruel and flippant comment from my personal Facebook account on a friend’s post regarding the death of Hulk Hogan. I deeply regret making that comment and have since removed it. I want to make it very clear that I never have and never will wish harm on anyone regardless of whether we share political views. While I strongly disagree with some of the comments Hulk Hogan made, that is no excuse for my comment.”
She also addressed the damage the situation caused to her role as an elected representative.
“I also sincerely apologize for the way my comment has eroded confidence in my ability to represent all students, families, and staff in Alachua County. I want to assure all of you that the best interests of our children and our public schools are at the center of everything I do as a board member. I hope I have shown that by my record of advocacy for children, families, and staff members throughout Alachua County.”
“Again, I apologize for the hurt and distrust I have caused with my insensitive comment. I will continue to do the hard work of putting our children and schools first. I hope that I can earn back your trust.”
Rockwell isn’t just any school board member—she holds bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in Special Education from the University of Florida and has more than 20 years of experience in the education system. She’s worked in Miami-Dade, Levy, and Marion Counties and served at institutions like Santa Fe College and UF.
She’s also deeply involved in education-focused organizations throughout Alachua County and is a mother of two children with disabilities, both formerly enrolled in public schools and now homeschooled due to health concerns.
But her academic credentials and personal experience haven’t shielded her from the criticism. Many argue that even if the comment was made from a personal account, it reflects poorly on someone responsible for representing a diverse community of families.
