TikTok captures moments that are worthy of modern-day history, remembered for not more than eight seconds, but still etched in our minds somewhere. One such moment was captured in April 2023 at the junior basketball game.
During the kids’ match in Manheim’s Spooky Nook Sports Complex in Pennsylvania, someone in the audience was recording the play. But unbeknownst to them, they also recorded one of the most intriguing moments of the match.
No!
It did not involve a “child prodigy” or a “rising star.” On the contrary, it was the referee who became the main character.
The original poster uploaded the video on TikTok, which amassed over 1 million views. The sheer exhibition of a smooth debonair man catching the swooping ball effortlessly and then posing for the camera was nothing short of a cinematic experience. The video has since gone viral on the platform, with several edits and memes adapted.
After gaining popularity, netizens dug out his identity, revealing his name to be Omar. The resident of Baltimore, Maryland, was actually unaware of his popularity and would often remain perplexed when people approached him on the streets for a picture.
However, on August 9, 2023, a TikTok account uploaded a video that showed a BBC article that claimed that “Famous ‘Omar the Referee’ commits suicide aged 47.”
What Happened To Omar the Ref?
Omar became an internet sensation because of his video of catching the ball effortlessly and slowly turning back to pose for the camera. Prior to that, he was still a respected referee on the San Francisco Bay Area basketball scene. He usually monitored children’s basketball matches, and parents were aware of his reputation.
However, recent reports surfaced, alleging that Omar was cyberbullied and he was distraught because of the invasion of his privacy. And then, on Wednesday, a TikTok account posted that a BBC article had reported Omar’s demise by suicide at the age of 47.
Did the Ref Omar Die?
First off, the TikTok account that posted the original video had barely any videos prior to this. Netizens speculated that it was a proxy account used for trolling. When people went on the BBC’s official news portal to check if any such article regarding Referee Omar was posted, they found nothing of this sort.
Neither his family, friends, nor acquaintances posted any official statement regarding his sudden demise. Later, more reports confirmed that Referee Omar was alive and well. This was another case of a death hoax, which has undoubtedly become quite common in the TikTok community.
Just yesterday, the Internet was in splits over the news of social media celebrity passing away at just 14, which was later disproven, and both Lil Tay and her brother are alive.
Hence, it is imperative not to jump to conclusions with the hot news. Instead, wait for a few more days for verified/ official updates.
What are your thoughts on this case? Do you think TikTok is going too far with the number of death hoaxes? Do you believe the memed people are victims of cyberbullying?
Let us know in the comments section below.
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