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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Charles Curtis

What’s up brother, explained: The TikTok meme taking over the sports world with athletes holding up 1 finger

Welcome to FTW Explains, a guide to catching up on and better understanding stuff going on in the world. Have you seen some TikTok trend and meme that’s all about “What’s up brother” and holding up a finger? And you’re very confused about that whole thing? Don’t worry. We’re here to help.

That’s right, we’ve got ourselves a new meme that has truly gone mainstream out of TikTok and other places: “What’s up brother?” with one finger held up has turned into a whole thing that has found its way into pro and college sports, with players celebrating and such.

Where did it come from? Glad you asked! We have answers.

What is “What’s up brother?”

@mmmjoemele

Replying to @Tyler Noormae YES🤣

♬ original sound – Joe Mele

@.podcastsdaily

sketch and Jynxzi having a “real” conversation #jynxzi #thesketchreal #sketch #funnymoments #streamer

♬ original sound – ClashRoyaleLive

Here are a couple of examples, and the last one is something you need to concentrate on: the guy in the top with a Houston Texans jersey is the originator, and his name online is Sketch.

Who is Sketch and what does he have to do with “What’s up brother?”

Sketch is a streamer on TikTok known for playing a ton of Madden and streaming it. He’s got a bunch of catchphrases that have gone seriously viral, starting with “What’s up brother?” with one finger held up and “special teams, special plays, special players.” There’s arm flapping, there’s making two fists and pounding them together, it’s a whole thing.

What’s the TikTok trend here?

Many of the videos show people holding up their finger to their significant other or friend and saying “What’s up brother?” The response, if the other person knows about Sketch, is to do a whole routine of Sketch catchphrases.

Who is sports is doing “What’s up brother”?

Oh my goodness, SO MANY teams and players, from Josh Naylor of the Cleveland Guardians with his brother Bo, Phillies star Bryce Harper, members of the Tennessee Titans and so on. Here’s a roundup:

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