Teen’s Tragic Death Sparks Global Outcry Against ‘Run It Straight’ Tackle Game

A shocking death in New Zealand has ignited a fierce backlash against a viral full-contact tackle game known as “Run It Straight,” as the tragic passing of 19-year-old Ryan Satterthwaite brings global attention to the lethal consequences of unregulated social media challenges.

Satterthwaite, a former student from Palmerston North, died in hospital on Monday after participating in the backyard version of the trending game during a friend’s birthday celebration. The game, popularized by online videos and influencer-led leagues, pits two players against each other in a direct, head-on sprint — with the goal to physically overpower the opponent, often without any protective gear.

The game has surged in popularity across Australia, New Zealand, and Pacific Island communities, thanks to aggressive marketing by the RUNIT Championship League, which labels itself “the world’s fiercest, new collision sport.” With prize pools as high as $118,800 (NZ$200,000), and massive exposure on platforms like TikTok and YouTube, the format has enticed countless young people — many of whom attempt it unsupervised at home.

Now, as grief and outrage mount, health officials, political leaders, and educators are urgently calling for a ban. “It’s a dumb thing to do,” declared New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, urging youth to avoid the game and pressuring adults and influencers to stop promoting it.

New Zealand’s Minister for Sport Mark Mitchell has since sought legal advice on whether the government can intervene to restrict or outlaw such unregulated activities. “This is not a sport. It’s reckless, glorified violence,” warned Stacey Mowbray, CEO of Headway, a brain injury awareness organization.

Medical professionals, too, have sounded the alarm. According to Professor Patria Hume of Auckland University of Technology, the collision force in Run It Straight is more than five times that of a standard rugby tackle. “Ryan’s death was preventable,” she said, emphasizing the absence of any structured rules, safety measures, or medical oversight.

Despite claiming to implement safety screenings and guidelines, the RUNIT League has faced growing criticism, especially after disturbing footage emerged from a recent Auckland event where two participants were knocked unconscious — one suffering a seizure. In response, Auckland’s Trusts Arena has now banned future RUNIT events, citing “overwhelming concern” for public safety.

Even New Zealand Rugby, the official governing body for the national sport, has distanced itself from the phenomenon, releasing a public advisory urging young people not to participate. “High-contact sports like rugby come with coaching, rules, and safety frameworks. This trend does not,” they said.

The game’s creator, Christian Lesa (aka “Charizma”), has argued that the concept helped him overcome mental health struggles and that participants “know what they sign up for.” He cites inspiration from YouTuber Donald De La Haye (aka “Deestroying”), who gained fame staging 1-on-1 football challenges.

But the tragedy has sparked a deeper conversation about the role of viral content and social media in promoting dangerous behavior. “This isn’t just a teenage game gone wrong — it’s an engineered spectacle designed to go viral at any cost,” said one safety advocate.

Educational institutions are reacting swiftly. Several New Zealand schools have issued outright bans on the game within school grounds. Palmerston North Boys’ High School, which Ryan attended, had planned to warn students about the game just minutes before news of his death broke.

“It’s an absolute tragedy,” said school rector David Bovey, “and a painful reminder of how teenage invincibility can be shattered in a second.”