TL;DR
- Professional esports players frequently face death threats from toxic fans across multiple game titles
- The Valorant First Strike incident demonstrates how in-game taunting can escalate to real-world harassment
- Teabagging remains controversial in competitive gaming despite efforts to establish professional standards
- Death threats occur for various reasons including perceived disrespect, cheating allegations, and poor performance
- Industry stakeholders must implement better protection systems and mental health support for players
A significant controversy emerged during Valorant’s North American First Strike tournament that highlighted the severe toxicity professional gamers can face.
Sentinels player Michael “dapr” Gulino encountered intense backlash from spectators after performing a teabagging gesture against Joshua “steel” Nissan. The situation escalated to the point where dapr received direct death threats for his in-game actions:
got a death threat cus i tbagged in a video game
poggers
— dapr ✨???? (@daprcs)December 6, 2020
Teammate Shahzeeb “ShahZaM” Khan reported similar harassment, including disturbing comments referencing his deceased father.
same people seem happy my Dad died bc we’re hitting a key on our keyboard. don’t even think i did it more than once the whole series LMAO
— Shahzeb Khan (@ShahZaMk)December 6, 2020
During the semifinal match between 100 Thieves and Sentinels, the early game dominance gave Sentinels enough confidence to engage in psychological warfare tactics. Following a successful fourth-round victory, dapr deliberately performed the crouching animation over steel’s eliminated character while his teammates gathered equipment.
This incident demonstrates how quickly competitive banter can cross into dangerous territory when combined with anonymous online interactions and intense fan investment in esports outcomes.
Teabagging represents a specific form of in-game mockery predominantly found within first-person shooter environments. The technique involves positioning one’s character above a defeated opponent and rapidly executing crouch movements to simulate sexual dominance behavior.
Within professional competitive settings, this action is widely regarded as disrespectful and unsportsmanlike. Many tournament organizers and community leaders have advocated for eliminating such behavior to elevate the professional standards of esports.
Despite its controversial nature, teabagging persists as a psychological tactic some players employ to gain mental advantages over opponents. The practice originated in early multiplayer shooters and has become ingrained in gaming culture despite ongoing debates about its appropriateness in professional contexts.
Understanding the cultural context of teabagging helps explain why reactions can be so extreme, though never justifying threats of violence against players.
Violent threats against competitive gamers represent a concerning pattern rather than isolated incidents. Research indicates approximately 38% of professional esports competitors have reported receiving some form of serious threat during their careers.
These dangerous situations arise from multiple triggers beyond simple taunting. Counter-Strike: Global Offensive professional Nathan “leaf” Orf recently faced death threats following unverified cheating accusations during a match against MIBR.
Performance-related harassment is equally prevalent, with Dota 2 professionals reporting threats after tournament losses. Even celebrated veterans like Christopher “GeT_RiGhT” Alesund have encountered similar toxic behavior throughout their careers.
The psychological toll on players facing such threats cannot be overstated. Many report increased anxiety, sleep disturbances, and in severe cases, professional burnout directly linked to constant harassment.
This environment creates significant barriers for new talent entering competitive gaming and may contribute to the high turnover rates seen in some esports disciplines.
Following the First Strike incident, neither Sentinels nor 100 Thieves released official statements, though 100 Thieves player Nicholas “nitr0” Cannella commented sarcastically on the outcome:
Imagine T bagging and losing. Ouch ????
— 100T nitr0 (@nitr0)December 6, 2020
dapr later clarified that he didn’t intend to criticize 100 Thieves or their fanbase specifically. The situation remains unresolved regarding potential official action from Riot Games.
Effective prevention requires multi-layered approaches including robust reporting systems, mental health resources for players, and community education initiatives about appropriate fan behavior.
Tournament organizers can implement stricter codes of conduct while developers might consider in-game systems to discourage toxic interactions. For comprehensive guidance on professional gaming conduct, see our Complete Guide to competitive etiquette.
Players should develop personal coping strategies and establish support networks to manage the psychological pressures of professional competition. Understanding weapon mechanics through our Weapons Unlock guide can help focus on gameplay improvement rather than toxic interactions.
Action Checklist
- Implement social media filtering tools to automatically flag threatening messages
- Establish emergency contact protocols for immediate threat response
- Develop personal coping strategies including meditation and professional counseling
- Participate in community education initiatives about appropriate fan behavior
- Review class selection strategies in our Class Guide to maximize gameplay effectiveness
No reproduction without permission：Game Guides Online » Valorant pro receives death threats for teabagging at event Exploring the dark side of competitive gaming: death threats against esports professionals and their psychological impact