Former MLB pitcher John Rocker visits Somali-owned Ohio daycare, questions bulletproof door and makes spear-chucking remark sparking racism accusations.
People in Columbus, Ohio, are talking a lot about a video of a strange visit to a daycare center owned by Somali immigrants.
The man who showed up at a daycare in the video was John Rocker, a former baseball pitcher who played in the major leagues years ago and now lives in Statesboro, Georgia.
He came with a couple of other guys, one holding a camera, and they rang the doorbell at the daycare like they wanted to get inside and check things out.
This happened because of all the online stories going around about possible fraud at daycares run by Somali people.
Some people on the right side of politics have been making videos and knocking on doors to see if kids are really there or if the places are just taking government money without doing the work.
In the video from the doorbell camera, Rocker stands there looking at the door and talking to the guy filming. He points at the glass and says things that made a lot of people upset.
Here is some of what he said, word for word from the recording, “This door’s bulletproof. Probably getting ready to find out.“
Then a bit later, he blurted out something which he shouldn’t have:
They can’t chuck a spear through this thing, can they? Let’s see, I should have said that. I should have said that right there.
Twitter
He also mentioned the locks looking new and even joked about saying he was there for a teacher’s job.
That comment about chucking a spear really stood out to many viewers because it brings up old stereotypes about African people, especially since the daycare is owned by Somalis.
Rocker seemed to know it was a bad thing to say, because right after he added that he shouldn’t have said it.
People called it racist, and it spread quickly on social media with folks saying this kind of talk has no place, especially at a place caring for little kids.
OHIO: MAGA Ex-baseball player John Rocker shows up at a daycare looking for kids (and being racist while he does it)
— The Tennessee Holler (@TheTNHoller) January 8, 2026
This is what they’re doing now
(H/T @jeffpearlman) pic.twitter.com/VaAf3igHb3
Above all, Rocker has a history of saying controversial things going back to his playing days, when he got in big trouble for remarks about immigrants and others in an interview.
Now he’s known for supporting strong conservative views, the kind often linked to MAGA supporters. He posted his own videos from other daycare visits in Columbus, saying he was there to look into the fraud claims.
The video also became a hot discussion in Reddit, which has over 3.3K upvotes and 341 comments. A comment from anonymous user reads:
You buried the lede. “Do you think they can chuck a spear through here” is the most vile thing that creep said by far
Reddit
While other read, “When a piece of shit says, “I shouldn’t have said that” it’s really f**king racist.”
