A burgeoning new sporting trend inspired by the biggest and hardest full contact hits in American football and rugby has proved deadly, and there’s now calls for it to be banned. Branded by an organized league as “the world’s fiercest, new collision sport,” Run It Straight games see two people sprint directly towards each other for a high-impact collision, with no protective gear. Whoever dominates wins. Tens of thousands of dollars are offered up as prize money in organized events in New Zealand and Australia and the game has become a social media craze with teenagers trying it out at home, with fatal consequences. Ryan Satterthwaite died in hospital on Monday after a backyard challenge went tragically wrong in the small city of Palmerston North. New Zealand Police said the 19-year-old suffered a serious head injury. His uncle, Pete Satterthwaite, told CNN affiliate RNZ that Ryan was at a friend’s birthday party on Saturday and decided to play a round of the game that’s become so popular in New Zealand. Pete Satterthwaite said when he saw local news reports about Run It, he thought the game was a “stupid idea” and instinctively knew that “someone is going to get seriously hurt.” He just wasn’t expecting it to be his own nephew. “The ultimate aim is to hurt your opponent, run over the top of him … you’re leading with your shoulder, leading with your head,” he said. “Regardless of whether they have medical staff on site and everybody has a test, it’s still the most stupid thing I’ve ever seen.” New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon urged people not to take part in the tackling game, calling it a “dumb thing to do.” “You’re hearing the advice from police, from the medical fraternity, from government, from principals saying don’t do it,” Luxon told local media on Friday, adding that organizers of formal events should stop them. “To the adults that are involved in more formal organization of it and are influencing it and leading this out on social media, I think you need to stop and I can’t be any clearer,” Luxon said. Following calls for the tackling game to be banned, New Zealand’s sport minister Mark Mitchell said on Friday he had sought advice on what measures the government can take to crack down on what he labelled “unregulated activities that pose a significant level of risk.” ‘Built to break limits’ The Run It Straight game combines elements of American football and rugby – two sports that have tackling in common but with distinct rules to protect players. Footballers wear a helmet and thick padding to withstand high-impact tackles on the whole body except the head and knees. Rugby players take the field without helmets and with no, or little, padding, while tackles are only allowed below the shoulders. The new game has been popularized in part by by a company called RUNIT Championship League, which says the game was “born to go viral” and claims to have “taken social media by storm with tens of millions of views.” CEO and owner Charizma, whose real name is Christian Lesa, says the concept started when he was hospitalized and struggling with mental health, according to an interview with Australian public broadcaster ABC. Lesa said he was inspired by YouTuber Donald De La Haye, nicknamed “Deestroying,” a Costa Rican-American professional football player who would pit players 1-on-1 for viral clicks. He replicated the concept in Australia and the tournament-like event has spread across New Zealand and the Pacific islands. As followers and subscribers grew on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok, RUNIT began hosting championships where participants bull run into each other and the last one standing takes home a cash prize. The finals of the RUNIT league were scheduled in June with 200,000 New Zealand dollars (around $118,800) up for grabs. ‘Risk of death’ Run It Straight-type collisions are more than five times the force of a rugby tackle, according to Professor Patria Hume from Auckland University of Technology, who warned there was a high risk of brain injury or death. “Ryan’s death was preventable. It was a backyard copycat of the Runit events which have been designed for social media impact,” Hume said. “Runit lacks the structure, safety protocols, and purpose of traditional sports. While rugby, boxing, and MMA are inherently physical, they are governed by rules designed to minimize harm and protect athletes.” Stacey Mowbray, CEO of brain injury organization Headway, told CNN the trending game is not a sport, adding it’s “just reckless, glorified violence.” “We raised the alarm in New Zealand when we heard about the Run It Straight challenge, warning of the high risk of brain injury or death. Social media was used to target our young with a message that this was a bit of fun. It is not. It is deadly,” Mowbray told CNN. “It’s not about the head hitting the ground, it’s the impact,” she said. A RUNIT Championship League spokesperson said in a statement that it does not encourage “any copying of the sport” saying it should only be done under “strict conditions.” “All Runit events follow established protocols including screening of participants for suitability, strict guidelines around where and how to tackle (between the shoulders and hips only), with qualified medical support and medical assessments conducted during and after competition,” they told CNN. Alarm bells had already been ringing about the game before the death of Ryan Satterthwaite. Two men were knocked unconscious, with one of them going into a seizure, during a Runit league event at Auckland’s Trusts Arena last week. Lynette Adams, interim CEO of the Trusts Arena, told CNN in a statement that “there has been overwhelming concern for the high-risk nature of Runit style events.” “Safety of all participants at our venue is paramount and we therefore made the decision not to allow any future Runit events to take place at The Trusts Arena.” High-contact sports like rugby and rugby league are hugely popular in New Zealand and the death of Satterthwaite has put pressure on sporting bodies to take a stronger stance on the Run It Straight trend. New Zealand Rugby issued a statement warning people “not to take part in Run It Straight games or competitions as they carry significant risk of serious injury.” “Those wanting to play contact sports should register for a school or club team and learn in a controlled and safe environment how to tackle safely and the art of evasion,” the statement said. A number of New Zealand schools have moved to ban students from playing the game on school grounds and it has also been banned from some public parks in the country’s biggest city, Auckland, by a local council board. David Bovey, rector of Palmerston North Boys’ High School which Ryan Satterthwaite attended several years ago, said he had been planning to warn his students about the risks of playing Run It Straight on campus before he heard about Ryan’s death. “It’s an absolute tragedy… you can almost say something like this was almost going to happen,” Bovey told RNZ, adding he received the news just 20 minutes before he was due to address the students on Monday. “Teenage boys are terrible at thinking about consequences and they never think anything is going to happen to them and so, you know, something like this I think really hit home in terms of the message we are trying to give the boys – ‘this is something I shouldn’t be doing.’”
Teen’s death sparks calls to ban viral head-on tackle game inspired by American football’s biggest hits
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Calls for Ban on High-Risk 'Run It Straight' Game Following Teen's Death"
CNN
7.2
TruthLens AI Summary
A new and dangerous trend known as 'Run It Straight' has emerged, drawing inspiration from high-impact tackles in American football and rugby. This sport involves two participants sprinting toward each other for a collision, aiming to dominate the other without any protective gear. Tragically, this trend has resulted in serious injuries and even fatalities, with the recent death of 19-year-old Ryan Satterthwaite highlighting the risks involved. Ryan suffered a severe head injury during a backyard game in Palmerston North, New Zealand, after participating in a popular challenge at a friend's birthday party. His uncle expressed his concerns about the game, stating that he believed it was a reckless idea and that someone would eventually get hurt, not realizing it would be his own nephew. Following this incident, New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and other officials have condemned the game and urged the public to refrain from participating, calling it a 'dumb thing to do.' Furthermore, the government is exploring measures to regulate these high-risk activities as concerns about safety grow.
The Run It Straight games have gained popularity through social media, driven by organizations like the RUNIT Championship League, which promotes the sport as a viral sensation. However, experts have warned that the collisions in this game exert more force than traditional rugby tackles, significantly increasing the risk of severe injuries, including brain damage. Critics, including medical professionals and sports organizations, have labeled the game as 'reckless' and 'glorified violence,' emphasizing that it lacks the safety protocols inherent in established sports. Following Ryan's death, several schools and local councils have taken action by banning the game on school grounds and in public parks. The incident has sparked a broader conversation about the responsibility of social media in promoting dangerous trends and the need for more robust regulations to protect young people from participating in such high-risk activities. As the debate continues, the tragic loss of Ryan Satterthwaite serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of this viral phenomenon.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The recent article highlights a tragic incident resulting from a dangerous game inspired by American football, raising serious concerns about safety and the influence of social media trends among teenagers. The call for regulation and potential banning of the game reflects broader societal issues regarding youth activities and their consequences.
Underlying Intentions of the Article
This article aims to raise awareness about the dangers associated with the "Run It Straight" game, particularly after the death of a teenager. By detailing the incident and incorporating quotes from family members and the Prime Minister, the article seeks to provoke public outrage and prompt discussions about the need for regulation in youth sports. The intention behind the coverage is to protect the community, especially the youth, by discouraging participation in such hazardous activities.
Public Perception and Social Impact
The narrative constructed around the incident portrays the game as reckless and harmful, which could lead to a collective societal rejection of similar trends. It emphasizes the responsibility of adults and organizers to prevent such activities, indicating that there is a growing awareness about the risks involved in unsupervised youth games. The article aims to solidify a perception that prioritizes safety over thrill-seeking behaviors.
Potential Omissions and Hidden Agendas
While the article focuses on the dangers of the game, it may also be reflecting a broader concern regarding youth culture and social media's role in promoting risky behaviors. It does not delve into the psychological aspects that drive teenagers to engage in such activities, potentially glossing over underlying issues such as peer pressure or the desire for validation through social media. This omission could suggest a reluctance to address deeper societal issues that contribute to such behaviors.
Manipulative Elements Present
The article employs emotional language and personal stories to elicit sympathy and concern from readers, which can be seen as a form of manipulation. By highlighting the tragic outcome and the grieving family's perspective, it steers the discussion towards a need for policy changes. The language used reinforces the idea that participation in such games is not just dangerous but also foolish, aligning with the public's instinct to protect youth.
Comparative Context
Compared to other news articles focusing on youth sports, this one stands out due to its emotional weight and the immediacy of the tragedy. It connects with ongoing discussions about youth safety and the responsibilities of social media influencers, possibly aligning with other narratives that focus on the consequences of reckless behavior. This connection suggests a pattern in media coverage that aims to hold influencers accountable for the trends they promote.
Societal Implications
The aftermath of this incident could lead to stricter regulations on youth sports and increased scrutiny of social media trends. It may also foster discussions about the cultural values surrounding competition and masculinity in sports, potentially affecting how sports and activities are organized in the future. This could lead to a shift in how communities engage with youth activities, emphasizing safety and well-being.
Target Audience and Community Support
The article seems to resonate with parents, educators, and those concerned about youth welfare. It addresses a demographic that prioritizes the safety of young individuals and is likely to support calls for banning such dangerous games. The emphasis on governmental and community response indicates an effort to galvanize a protective stance within these communities.
Economic and Market Relevance
While the immediate economic impact may be limited, any formal regulation or ban on the game could influence businesses associated with youth sports and recreational activities. Companies that sponsor or organize such events may face backlash, affecting their market presence. This situation underscores the importance of safety in sports, potentially shifting investments towards more secure and regulated activities.
Geopolitical Context
While the article primarily focuses on a local incident, it reflects broader global discussions about youth culture, safety, and the influence of media on behavior. This aligns with ongoing concerns about public health and safety in various contexts, making it relevant in today's discourse.
Use of AI in the Article
There is no clear indication that artificial intelligence was employed in writing this article. However, if it were, AI models might have influenced the structure and language used to enhance emotional impact and reader engagement. Such technology could assist in identifying impactful quotes and framing the narrative in a way that resonates with the audience.
The article serves as a cautionary tale about the intersection of youth culture, social media, and safety, raising critical questions about responsibility and the influence of popular trends. The reliability of the article is strengthened by its factual basis and the presentation of personal accounts, though it could benefit from a broader exploration of the underlying issues at play.