Colton Underwood, a 26-year-old retired NFL player and ex-boyfriend of Olympian Aly Raisman, has been in the spotlight on the most recent season of the Bachelorette for being the one out-and-proud virgin on the show, and has gotten quite a bit of flack for it.
During Monday night's “Men tell All” episode, some of the other guys had some particularly nasty comments regarding Underwood’s virginity.
Welcome to 2018...where a “sick burn” consist of calling a man out for not sleeping around. Got it. https://t.co/LWofgl3iDx
— Colton Underwood (@Colt3FIVE) July 28, 2018
Underwood said that he felt “ashamed” of his virginity as a professional athlete and “made up a lot of lies” to cover up that fact about him, telling "Bachelorette" contestant Becca Kufrin that he just hasn’t found “the right heart.”
He decided to take to social media after the episode aired to share his heartfelt perspective.
My thoughts on my hot seat. pic.twitter.com/p0i96AjUUk
— Colton Underwood (@Colt3FIVE) July 31, 2018
"If I have to continue to take cheap shots about my virginity -- which is only a small part of who I am -- so that others like me can feel comfortable & relate -- Bring it on!" Underwood wrote. "My virginity shouldn't have to be defended or used to describe me as a person."
Several users responded to his post with love and support.
Seriously it doesn't make you less of a man, it makes you MORE of a man. Anyone can sleep around, but it takes maturity to not.
— George (@George65311389) July 31, 2018
Praying that the struggle you are feeling leaves you .... own this and be proud of it!! The world needs more Colton’s !! 🙌🙌
— Amanda Theriault (@al_theriault) July 31, 2018
Jean Blanc, a fellow contestant who'd told Underwood, "And I mean, Colton, you're acting like a p***y, but you've never been f****d," has since apologized to Colton for his derogatory comments.