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Hamilton Blocks Jones, Brands Him ‘Coward’ Over Helicopter Pig Hunt
UFC Star Jon Jones Reveals Lewis Hamilton Blocked Him Over Helicopter Pig Hunt
What Happened?
Imagine two famous athletes—one from fighting and one from racing—having a disagreement on social media. That’s exactly what happened between Jon Jones (a UFC champion) and Lewis Hamilton (a Formula 1 legend).
Important Point: This isn’t about sports competition—it’s about a moral disagreement over hunting methods and animal rights.
The Video That Started It All
In January 2021, Jon Jones posted a video that upset Lewis Hamilton. Here’s what the video showed:
- Jones was hunting wild pigs from a helicopter
- He was shooting an AR-15 rifle (a type of semi-automatic rifle)
- The hunt was with Army Rangers and Medal of Honor recipient Patrick Payne
- Jones captioned it: "One shot, one kill, lots of bacon. Was an honour hunting with Medal of Honour recipient Patrick Payne."
- Jones said the pig he shot was donated to an underprivileged family
Hamilton’s Response: "You’re a Coward"
Lewis Hamilton saw the video and didn’t stay quiet. Here’s what happened next:
The Message Hamilton Sent
- Called Jones a "coward"
- Said he thought Jones was "better than that"
- Argued traditional hunting should use:
- Spears
- Bow and arrow
- Wrote something like: "Only a coward could shoot an animal from a helicopter. Give the animal a chance to fight you back at least."
- Unfollowed AND blocked Jones on social media
Jones’s Reaction and Apology
Jones recently shared this story during an interview with AFLGlobal. Here’s how he felt:
- Was "proud" at first of his shot from the helicopter
- Felt bad when Hamilton messaged him
- Admitted: "He unfollowed me and he blocked me, and it sucked because I was his fan"
- Offered a public apology: "Lewis, if you’re listening, I’m sorry."
Important Point: Jones respected Hamilton as a fan before this incident, which made the blocking hurt more.
Why Hamilton Reacted So Strongly
Lewis Hamilton isn’t just a race car driver—he’s a passionate animal rights advocate. Here’s his background:
- Switched to plant-based diet in 2017 (no meat, dairy, or animal products)
- Named PETA’s Person of the Year in 2018
- Speaks publicly about:
- Animal cruelty in food industry
- Deforestation from animal agriculture
- Climate change connection to meat/dairy
- Quoted in 2019: "I urge you to do some research, find the compassion I know you have within you to recognise what you are contributing to…"
Summary
| Person | Role | Action | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jon Jones | UFC Champion | Hunted pig from helicopter with AR-15 | Sport/hunting tradition; donated meat |
| Lewis Hamilton | F1 Champion | Called Jones "coward"; blocked him | Animal rights advocacy; opposes unfair hunting |
The Core Conflict: Two different worldviews on how humans should treat animals—one seeing controlled hunting as acceptable, the other seeing any killing (especially from a helicopter) as cruel and cowardly.
FAQ
Why was Lewis Hamilton so upset about a pig hunt?
Hamilton has been a vegan since 2017 and works with PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals). He believes all animals deserve compassion and that shooting from a helicopter gives the animal zero chance to escape—which he sees as the definition of cowardice.
Did Jon Jones do something illegal?
No. Helicopter hog hunting is legal in some U.S. states (like Texas) to control invasive wild pig populations. The meat donation to a needy family was also legal and charitable.
Are they still blocked from each other?
Yes, as of the interview. Jones said Hamilton "unfollowed me and he blocked me" and he was apologizing publicly hoping Hamilton might see it.
Why does Hamilton think spears/bows are better?
He believes "fair chase" hunting—where the animal has a real chance to escape or defend itself—is the only ethical way if someone must hunt. A helicopter + high-powered rifle removes all fairness.
Has Hamilton commented publicly on this recently?
Not in this article. The story comes from Jones’s recent interview, not a new statement from Hamilton. Hamilton’s views on animal rights are well-documented from past interviews.
