H3CZ calls out ‘disrespectful’ OpTic fans for body-shaming at Call of Duty World Championships
OpTic Gaming owner Hector "H3CZ" Rodriguez has called out fans for shouting body-shaming insults at former coach Troy "Sender" Michaels during the World Championships final.
24th Jul 2024 15:40
Images via OpTic Gaming
H3CZ calls out ‘disrespectful’ OpTic fans for body-shaming at Call of Duty World Championships
OpTic Gaming owner Hector "H3CZ" Rodriguez has called out fans for shouting body-shaming insults at former coach Troy "Sender" Michaels during the World Championships final.
24th Jul 2024 15:40
Images via OpTic Gaming
OpTic Texas has secured its second World Championship trophy, becoming just the second organisation in history to win multiple sets of rings in Call of Duty.
The reinvigorated roster overcame years of pain and a month of turmoil to hoist the CDL trophy above their heads.
But the infamous "home" crowd (OpTic hosted Champs for the CDL this year) hasn't been championed in the same light as its beloved roster, and OpTic CEO Hector "H3CZ" Rodriguez has slammed the Green Wall for body-shaming its former coach, Troy "Sender" Michaels, in the pre-game build-up.
OpTic Texas fans called out for racist and sizeist comments during World Championships
During the build-up to the World Championship Grand Final, the teams walked through the fans to the stage, as a 360-degree podium was used for the first time in years during a CoD event.
But the walkouts were not as pretty as they appeared, with New York Subliners getting a range of abuse from the OpTic-heavy fan base as they approached the stage to fight for a back-to-back Champs win (something no CoD team in history has ever done).
Footage from the walkouts has now emerged, painting select OpTic fans in a terrible light. "You fat F**k, f**k you," one fan can be heard yelling at Sender.
Other fans claimed that this wasn't the only derogatory comment made toward the New York Subliners roster during the walk-out, with Paco "HyDra" Rusiewiez reportedly receiving hate based on his French background.
"This isn’t even the worst of what was being said in the crowd," said a photographer (Viragophotos) in the crowd.
"I had the pleasure of listening to all of the vile stuff some of y’all said, screaming and losing your voices saying the f-slur, insulting individuals looks, telling them to go back to their country, all for you to turn around and ask for a picture with them afterwards," she added.
Sender admitted to having heard these comments too, saying that it would have bothered some people who didn't have a strong mindset. "I genuinely can’t imagine going through something like that being not the strongest-minded," he said.
"Some people have no respect and it felt like that sort of behaviour was being neglected."
H3CZ demands 'unacceptable' OpTic fans to 'do better'
Following the viral clip, OpTic H3CZ has voiced his displeasure at this minority of OpTic fans, calling on them to "do better". "Unacceptable," he said on Twitter.
"This isn’t trash talk, this is straight-up disrespect, Troy is a friend of mine and my blood boils hearing this shit. Do better."
Sender won multiple events as Head Coach of the OpTic roster, including the 2022 Major I and a handful of Home Series in the inaugural CDL season under the Chicago Huntsmen banner. This wasn't the only controversy of the week, as CDL fans were detained for fighting during the weekend.
About The Author
Jack Marsh
Jack is an Esports Journalist at GGRecon. Graduating from the University of Chester, with a BA Honours degree in Journalism, Jack is an avid esports enthusiast and specialises in Rocket League, Call of Duty, VALORANT, and trending gaming news.
