Jay Rodriguez — an ADCC silver medalist and the brother of CJI champion, Nick Rodriguez — has been removed from B-Team after inappropriate interactions with women in the team.
Soon after initial allegations came out, B-Team head Craig Jones and “Jay Rod” himself both released statements noting that the 23-year-old grappler no longer has ties to the popular Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) stable.
“Jay Rod is no longer a part of B Team,” Craig Jones wrote on social media. “B Team is a safe training place for all and we have a zero tolerance policy for anyone breaching that trust.”
BJJ star Jay Rodriguez issues apology for “unhealthy interactions with women” at B-Team
Jay Rodriguez also released a video confirming the split. He admitted to having “unhealthy interactions with women in the gym” and a “porn addiction,” which he claims to now be going to therapy for.
“You may have heard that I have been banned from B-Team … and this is true,” Jay Rod said on his video. “Essentially, I’ve had some unhealthy interactions with women in the gym, and this has now led to me seeking help through therapy, just for my porn addiction that I’ve had for quite some time now.
“[I’m] seeking help through therapy for the past few months as well as just further building my relationship with my beliefs, my religion, and just kinda changing my lustful ways and working toward being a better person,” Rodriguez concluded.
His caption also wrote that despite the issue, “life has been very peaceful.”
In a follow up post, Rodriguez also eventually issued an actual apology to the women involved.
“I want to publicly and sincerely apologize to those who were directly affected by my past actions. I recognize the harm I’ve caused and take full accountability,” Rodriguez’s statement read. “To those individuals, I am truly sorry.
“I also ask that the public show them the respect and consideration they deserve by refraining from contacting or attempting to identify them,” he added. “Their privacy and well-being should be the priority and I hope everyone can honor that moving forward. Thank you.”
Despite family ties to their star grappler (Nicky Rod), Jones and B-Team management’s decision to remove Jay Rod after this type of misconduct isn’t completely surprising. B-Team was originally formed by splitting off the Danaher Death Squad, as they were reportedly against the alleged abuse and assault that occurred within the original team.
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
Jay Rod excluded from B-Team’s CJI 2 line up
Jones previously — and unintentionally — leaked B-Team’s CJI 2 line up early, and its contingent for the $1 million team tournament did not include Jay Rodriguez.
Jay Rod took silver at the ADCC 2024 world championships and previously represented B-Team at Quintet as well. His absence did raise some eyebrows initially, but this issue and subsequent removal from the team perhaps explains that decision.
As Jones noted, B-Team will still indeed have a “powerhouse” CJI 2 contingent, though. PGF silver medalist, Chris Wojcik, will be taking that 88 kg slot, and Victor Hugo is coming in as a “wild card” to team up with his former rival, Nick Rodriguez.
Since taking silver at ADCC 2024, Jay Rodriguez lost his third straight match, dropping decisions at Polaris 29 and WNO 26.
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