Twitch removes iconic Pogchamp emote after controversy

If you’ve been on the internet the last few months, you’ve likely heard the following terms: Pog, poggers, or even seen a face known as Pogchamp. All of this comes from Twitch, it’s best used to describe something really great or awesome. The Pogchamp emote has been around for years and is a staple of many busy Twitch chats. But sadly, that will no longer be the case.

Twitch has announced they’re removing the Pogchamp emote permanently. The face of the emote, Ryan “Gootecks” Gutierrez, was the subject of controversy yesterday. The Street Fighter pro made comments questioning “civil unrest” following a woman’s death at the Capitol riot yesterday.

Gutierrez seemed to be drawing parallels to the unrest caused by the likes of George Floyd’s death this past summer. Following this and spreading conspiracies surrounding the COVID-19 virus, Twitch made the decision to ban the emote with his face.

“We’ve made the decision to remove the PogChamp emote following statements from the face of the emote encouraging further violence after what took place in the Capitol today,” Twitch said on Twitter on Wednesday evening. “We want the sentiment and use of Pog to live on — its meaning is much bigger than the person depicted or image itself — and it has a big place in Twitch culture. However, we can’t in good conscience continue to enable use of the image.”

As for what will replace PogChamp, Twitch is working on it.

“We will work with the community to design a new emote for the most hype moments on Twitch.”