Twitch streamer Grant Hinds is getting roasted on Twitter after suggesting that teabagging, a taunt that involves repeatedly crouching on top of a fallen opponent, is comparable to “violent, threatening or harassing behavior” in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
In a Twitter thread, Hinds said he was “really disappointed by the amount of teabagging that’s going on” in the Overwatch league.
Hinds added that: “You’d never see that behaviour in any other established sport. If esports wants to be taken seriously, decorum and professionalism should be a responsibility of the players.”
He then went on to suggest that teabagging in Overwatch is equivalent to the following prohibited behaviors in the UFC:
- Violent, threatening or harassing behavior
- Derogatory or offensive conduct
- Inappropriate physical, verbal, and online behavior (such as inappropriate statements made via e-mail, text messaging or social networks)
After posting the thread, Hinds was swiftly ratioed and many esports professionals replied to let him know that they strongly disagree with his sentiment.
“Doing things that frustrate your opponents or create rivalries is exactly what you want to see in a sport,” said PBP & Action Caster Jesse.
Professional Overwatch player André Dahlström added: “Not everything has to be a problem my dude. If someone did it to me in a high-stake situation or match, I make sure to hunt that ass down (in-game, ofc) Its the equivalent of soft banter without words. Relax.”
“Hard disagree,” said CEO & Co-Founder of Esports Engine Adam Apicella. “It’s already too sterile and safe. Need more personality, more rivalry.”
Paul “Redeye” Chaloner described this as “one of the poorest takes I’ve seen in a while.”
“I thought his tweet was supposed to be ironic but he’s actually serious? Lmao,” said Professional Counter-Strike: Global Offensive player Jonathan Jablonowski.
While the consensus is strongly against Hinds, he’s refusing to back down and continuing to insist that teabagging in Overwatch is “problematic.”
