Racist Rant Ends Overwatch Pro Player’s Career

Trash-talking has been a part of every game, whether it’s football, basketball, or a first-person shooter like Overwatch. It’s tolerated to some extent but there are certain limits. Calling someone a noob is okay, calling someone a different N-word is not, especially during a live stream. Toronto Esports player Matt “Dellor” Vaughn learns this lesson the hard way.

Dellor was recorded repetitively screaming the N-word for an awkwardly long 26 seconds, during an Overwatch live stream. As could be expected, the video found its way to YouTube, effectively ending Dellor’s E-sports career. Toronto Esports writes:

“Toronto Esports has today announced the release of Matt ‘Dellor’ Vaughn from their organization, citing breach of contract. The circumstances of the dismissal relate to an incident where Dellor used abusive and discriminatory racial language while streaming. ‘Toronto Esports is an organization built on inclusivity, and we have always had a zero- tolerance policy for any forms of discrimination.’ Said President Ryan Pallett. ‘Immediately upon learning of the incident, the player was interviewed, admitted to the offence, and was notified that his contract with the organization was being terminated.’”

Dellor responded with a written apology:

“I fucked up and deserve to be dropped from Toronto Esports, I won't try to argue or make an excuse, I don't have any. I just want people to know what happened. I was having a really bad day. Didn't get much sleep, twitch wouldn't work for 2 hours after I woke up, and once it finally did, my internet was lagging. So I was pretty upset from the moment I woke up.

Then I get into a game against a widowmaker who is blatantly cheating. Everything was whatever, I've dealt with cheaters before, but when him and his entire team, and MY entire team start talking shit, it gets to me. I snapped. This isn't the first time this has happened. I have anger problems.
The only thing I can say is that despite me using that word, I am not a racist. I was extremely upset, and I was trying to make the person I was angry with upset as well, and so I said the most offensive thing that came to mind.

I fucked up, I have no excuse. Toronto Esports is a great organization and I am sorry to them for tarnishing their name. I've put my entire life into gaming/esports and this has been a massive wake up call.”

His Twitch channel has also been deactivated for violating the terms of service. You can watch the video in question after the break.