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.”
Really disappointed by the amount of teabagging that's going on in the @overwatchleague this weekend. 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.
— Grant Hinds (@GrantHinds) February 10, 2020
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)
Also UFCs disciplinary rules FYI pic.twitter.com/EqFckeovTj
— Grant Hinds (@GrantHinds) February 10, 2020
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.
I highly disagree with this. OWL has been playing everything too safe for ages and doing things that frustrate your opponents or create rivalries is exactly what you want to see in a sport.
Other professional sports you see much worse things happen.
— Jesse McConnell (@jmcloudburst) February 10, 2020
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.”
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
— André Dahlström (@iddqd) February 10, 2020
“Hard disagree,” said CEO & Co-Founder of Esports Engine Adam Apicella. “It’s already too sterile and safe. Need more personality, more rivalry.”
Hard disagree. It’s already too sterile and safe. Need more personality, more rivalry, my intensity
And on that note, NYC fans booing the other teams was incredible
— Adam Apicella (@MrAdamAp) February 10, 2020
Paul “Redeye” Chaloner described this as “one of the poorest takes I’ve seen in a while.”
Esports IS taken seriously and has absolutely nothing to do with teabagging.
One of the poorest takes I've seen in a while.
— Redeye 🍊 (@PaulChaloner) February 10, 2020
“I thought his tweet was supposed to be ironic but he’s actually serious? Lmao,” said Professional Counter-Strike: Global Offensive player Jonathan Jablonowski.
I thought his tweet was supposed to be ironic but he’s actually serious? Lmao
— Jonathan Jablonowski (@EliGE) February 10, 2020
While the consensus is strongly against Hinds, he’s refusing to back down and continuing to insist that teabagging in Overwatch is “problematic.”
