The sports world is currently abuzz with a new celebratory gesture that has been popularized by a video game streamer known as TheSketchReal, or Sketch. This gesture involves pointing the index finger in the air and saying “What’s up, brother?” or clinking fists together and waving arms in a flapping motion while adding “Tuesday, Tuesday.” This trend has been picked up by professional athletes from teams such as the Houston Astros, Tennessee Titans, and Philadelphia Phillies. The rise of Sketch has been meteoric, with almost 672,000 followers on Twitch and 1.5 million followers on TikTok, where he plays primarily Madden NFL 24. Despite some crass behavior on his channel, Sketch has quickly gained mainstream recognition and has caught the eye of sports aficionados.
Sketch plays a character on his streams, portraying a bombastic and excitable trash talker who mimics the communication style of quarterbacks on the field. Often seen wearing a Houston Texans jersey, his quirky behavior and hand gestures have helped him build a large following. In a recent TikTok challenge, women were dared to do Sketch’s “What’s up, brother?” gesture to see if their boyfriends recognized it, highlighting how familiar Sketch has become to young men. Many men were able to recognize and mimic the gesture, showing the widespread appeal of Sketch’s catchphrases and movements.
Professional athletes have also embraced the Sketch trend, with players like Bryce Harper and Johan Rojas incorporating the celebration into their on-field performances. In a game between the Cleveland Guardians and the Seattle Mariners, Bo Naylor’s teammates imitated Sketch’s catchphrase after he scored a home run, showcasing the influence of the video game streamer. In the NBA G League, DJ Steward celebrated a three-point shot by doing a Sketch gesture, further solidifying Sketch’s impact on professional sports.
Several teams, including the Tennessee Titans and Brooklyn Nets in the NFL and NBA, respectively, have posted videos on their TikTok accounts participating in the Sketch trend. Even the official TikTok accounts of the NCAA March Madness and Division 1 Men’s Basketball have featured players joining in on the celebration. The widespread adoption of Sketch’s gestures and catchphrases by professional athletes and sports teams has further propelled his popularity and influence across the sports world.
Despite some controversial behavior on his channel, including crass remarks and swearing, Sketch’s rise to fame in mainstream sports has been undeniable. His unique character and catchy catchphrases have captured the attention of not only young men on social media but also professional athletes from various sports. The celebration rituals coined by the video game streamer have become a staple in the sports world, with athletes from different teams and leagues incorporating them into their performances, demonstrating the significant impact that Sketch has had on the industry.
