xQc explains why he stopped using some offensive language

Olivia Richman Published 12/11/2020

Popular Twitch streamer Félix “xQc” Lengyel is known for his trolling and controversial opinions. But he recently opened up about his decision to take some offensive words out of his vocabulary. 

During a game of Among Us, xQc told his viewers that he was no longer going to use the word “retard” as an insult, as it has long been seen as a slur towards individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Despite its harmful implications, the word has remained quite prevalent in the streaming and gaming world. xQc himself was a heavy user of the word. 

But that changed when xQc was playing in the Overwatch League as a part of the Dallas Fuel. A fan wearing his jersey had come up to him and asked for an autograph and a photo with the Overwatch pro. xQc noticed he was mentally challenged. 

“I felt bad that he would watch the stream all the time,” xQc said, noting that the fan would have heard him saying the word many times. 

While fans may have been surprised with that soft sentiment, xQc quickly noted that other swear words were still fine. This included “bitch” and “cucklord,” among others. 

xQc is well aware of his controversial past. On Twitter, he said he has mastered the skill of “burning bridges.” 

Despite his popularity and talent, xQc was kicked out of the Overwatch League for toxic behavior. For a while, he tried to compete in pro Overwatch through Contenders instead. Later, he decided to make permanent the transition to streaming. 

But even on Twitch, xQc has managed to cause quite a stir. He’s been banned multiple times for nudity and other things that have gone against Twitch’s terms of service. He also frustrated the professional chess community when he appeared as the top chess channel on Twitch despite not being too good at the game. 

Olivia Richman

About Olivia Richman

Olivia has worked in media ever since graduating from college, with her coverage ranging from traditional newspaper reporting to digital coverage of all things gaming, online betting, and nerd culture. She has traveled around the world pursuing that coverage, from the far coasts of the United States to the busy downtown core of Tokyo, Japan. Olivia’s favorite games include Overwatch and Super Smash Smash Bros, and she has been published at Esports Illustrated, Inven Global, EsportsInsider, Upcomer, and elsewhere.

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