Jordynne Grace launches CTE fundraiser following controversial Benoit tweet

Impact Wrestling Knockouts Champion Jordynne Grace is doing her best to make something positive come from a negative situation.

After drawing criticism for a tweet she made about Chris Benoit last week, Grace issued a statement on Monday announcing that she's launching a fundraiser to benefit the Concussion Legacy Foundation. The fundraiser "will serve to push forward the research and education of CTE."

The fundraiser has a goal of $20,000, with Grace donating $5,000 of her own money to begin the campaign. Grace launched the fundraiser after speaking privately to friends and family of Benoit's that she angered or hurt, including Benoit's son David and Benoit's friends Chris Jericho and Chavo Guerrero.

Grace wrote:

Last week I made an irresponsible and unnecessary tweet. Regardless of how my personal emotions influence my opinion, I should have recognized the impact my words would have on friends and family close to the situation. I was completely thoughtless in that regard.

Since reflecting this past week, I’ve reached out privately to friends and family that I angered or hurt.

Among those was David Benoit, Chavo Guererro, and Chris Jericho, who are supporting me in the decision to partner and fundraise with the Concussion Legacy Foundation (formerly Sports Legacy Institute). I have pledged $5,000, with the overall campaign goal being $20,000.

I’m acutely aware that the damage has been done. I would never intentionally add onto the suffering of those already dealing with such a traumatic event, and I am sorry for my insensitivity and aggravating this already delicate topic.

This is my way of attempting to squeeze something positive out of the negative situation I created. Thank you in advance to everyone who donates. 

In response to a tweet about wrestlers who still praise Benoit in a professional context despite his heinous actions, Grace wrote on July 6: "This is gonna be the coldest take I ever tweet on this app. I already know y’all gonna be mad. I don’t think Benoit could 100% hang with most of the present day best wrestlers. He would not be able to remember matches. Also may he burn in hell, amen."

Guerrero then responded to Grace: "I think @JordynneGrace just lost a lot of wrestling credibility from some of her comments."

Last month marked 15 years since the Benoit double murder and suicide, where Benoit murdered his wife Nancy and seven-year-old son Daniel before killing himself.