Health
19-Year-Old’s Death Sparks Outcry Over Risky Online Tackle Trend ‘Run It Straight’
Calls for its prohibition have been rekindled after a teen died as a result of engaging in a new, risky trend with pals.
From Palmerston North, a city in the North Island of New Zealand, 19-year-old Ryan Satterthwaite died on May 26 after sustaining a severe head injury the day before while following the ‘run it straight’ fad with his pals.
There are always going to be new trends, but this one has a lot of detractors because of the possible risks.
Millions of people have viewed the ‘run it straight’ craze on social media, which has gained popularity in Australia and New Zealand.
Those who have witnessed this tendency are likely to compare it to “slap fighting.” Not because it functions similarly to traditional sports, but rather because it carries more risks.
How does the ‘run it straight’ trend work?
Two people dash full force at each other in the competition, game, sport, or whatever you want to name it. One of them may even be holding a rugby ball.
Neither person is wearing any protective gear, and the incident only occurs over a 20-meter field. Either the player with the ball or the one without is declared the winner of the collision and advances to the following round in a competition.
Some recordings have shown athletes with wildly disparate weights, so it’s unclear if there are weight classes.
This can lead to several severe injuries, as you can understand, and medical professionals have strongly opposed it.
Death of teenager Ryan Satterthwaite
According to police, Satterthwaite’s involvement in the tackle game before his death was unplanned and was played with friends. They also stated that although they will be conducting additional research, this is not a criminal matter.
“We would urge anyone thinking about taking part in a game or event like this to consider the significant safety and injury risk,” said police spokesperson Ross Grantham in a statement, as reported by the BBC.
“While this was an impromptu game among friends, not a planned event, this tragic outcome does highlight the inherent safety concerns with such an activity.”
Numerous medical professionals have emphasised the numerous risks of even merely simulating the game since the teen’s passing.
Speaking to the MailOnline, neuroscientist Dr Helen Murray said, “There is clearly a high risk of head injury in this event. There’s no attempt to reduce head acceleration, so I do not support it.”
Professor Patria Hume, a specialist in injury prevention and sports science, contended that the “sport” was actually a step backwards and disregarded the data that shows how dangerous brain injuries are.
Hume said, “This is a reckless and dangerous spectacle. The science is clear – repeated head impacts increase risk of long-term brain damage.”
And Australian neurologist Dr Alan Pearce made similar comments, adding, “It’s insanity. You’re removing the skill and strategy and replacing it with blunt force.”
‘Run it Straight’ events facing backlash on social media
Following Satterthwaite’s death, some have resorted to criticising the sport, despite the fact that recordings of it have become popular on social media.
One commenter said, “I hope this stops before more people are hurt,” on a YouTube video that featured the sport.
As another said, “Tragic loss of a young life today thanks to these adults trying to make this cool RIP young man.”
With a third adding, “I wonder if the idiots behind this so called sport will still continue to promote this BS.”
And another simply wrote, “New form of stupidity? Like bull fighting.”
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