If you‘ve been anywhere near social media in 2024, you‘ve likely seen the viral video of rugby league player Joe Westerman popping his dislocated kneecap back into place during a match. The 11-second clip, which originally made the rounds back in 2019, has found new life this year and introduced the sport of rugby league – and Westerman‘s incredible toughness – to a whole new audience.
But who is Joe Westerman, and what makes this video so compelling? As a tech geek and social media expert, I was fascinated by the perfect storm of factors that turned a gruesome sports injury into a viral sensation. Let‘s take a deep dive into the man, the meme, and the science behind the knee.
Joe Westerman: A Rugby League Ironman
First, some background on the star of the show. Joe Westerman is a professional rugby league footballer who currently plays as a loose forward for the Castleford Tigers in the Super League, the top division of rugby league in England.
The 33-year-old Westerman has been a fixture in the Super League since his debut for Castleford in 2007. He has made over 300 appearances in the competition, with stints at Hull FC, Warrington Wolves, and Toronto Wolfpack in addition to his two spells with the Tigers.
Westerman‘s longevity and durability are testament to his toughness and work ethic. The 6‘3", 218-pound forward is known for his hard-hitting defense and tireless work rate. He has represented England at the international level, earning 8 caps between 2012 and 2015.
Some of Westerman‘s career highlights and stats include:
- Super League Champion: 2017 (with Hull FC)
- Super League Dream Team: 2014, 2015
- Hull FC Player of the Year: 2014
- Career tackles made: 7,439
- Career tries scored: 58
- Career meters gained: 21,147
Source: Rugby League Project
The Viral Video: A Knee-Popping Moment
Now, let‘s get to the main event. The infamous Joe Westerman knee video is from an April 2019 Super League match between Hull FC and Wigan Warriors. In the second half of the game, Westerman was tackled awkwardly and his left knee buckled at a sickening angle.
The video shows Westerman sitting up and calmly popping his visibly dislocated kneecap back into place with his hands. He then stands up and tries to shake it off, much to the shock of his teammates and the crowd. After hobbling for a few steps, Westerman eventually signals to the sideline and is helped off the field by the trainers.
The original YouTube video, posted by the Super League channel, has over 1.2 million views as of February 2023. But the clip has found new life on social media this year, particularly on Twitter where it has sparked countless memes and reactions.
According to data from Twitter‘s trending topics, "Joe Westerman" was the #1 trending search term in the UK on January 25th, 2023, the day the video went viral again. The hashtag #JoeWesterman also trended worldwide, racking up over 100,000 tweets in 24 hours.
Source: Twitter Trending Topics Archive
So why has this particular video struck such a chord with people? There are a few key factors at play.
The Shock Factor
First and foremost, the Westerman video is just an absolutely jaw-dropping display of toughness and pain tolerance. Seeing a professional athlete suffer such a gruesome injury and then calmly take matters into his own hands (quite literally) is not something you witness every day.
The shock value is undeniable. It‘s the type of cringe-inducing moment that you can‘t look away from, even if you want to. The sickening sound of the kneecap popping back into place is enough to make even the most hardened viewer wince.
In a world where we‘re bombarded with so much content on a daily basis, it takes something truly extraordinary to cut through the noise and grab our attention. The Westerman video delivers that in spades.
The Science of a Dislocated Kneecap
For those wondering just how painful a dislocated kneecap is, the answer is: extremely. The kneecap, or patella, is a small bone that sits at the front of the knee joint. It acts as a fulcrum to help extend the knee and is held in place by ligaments and tendons.
When the kneecap dislocates, it is usually forced out to the side of the knee. This can happen due to a direct blow to the knee or a sudden twisting motion. The result is excruciating pain as the nerves and blood vessels around the knee are stretched and damaged.
Studies have found that the annual incidence of patellar dislocation is around 5.8 cases per 100,000 people. It is most common in young athletes, particularly those who play high-impact sports like rugby, football, and basketball.
Source: American Journal of Sports Medicine
Recovering from a dislocated kneecap can take several weeks to several months, depending on the severity. Surgery may be required in some cases to repair torn ligaments or realign the kneecap. Physical therapy is also crucial to regain strength and range of motion in the joint.
The fact that Westerman was able to pop his kneecap back in and even try to continue playing is a testament to his incredible pain tolerance and mental fortitude. While it‘s not advisable to attempt this yourself (please, leave it to the medical professionals!), it‘s still an awe-inspiring display of grit.
The Psychology of Morbid Curiosity
So why are we so drawn to videos like this, even though they make us cringe and squirm? Psychologists have a few theories.
One is the concept of morbid curiosity, or the desire to see and learn about unpleasant or dangerous things. It‘s the same impulse that makes us slow down to gawk at a car crash or click on a news story about a gruesome crime.
There‘s an evolutionary basis for this curiosity. Our ancestors needed to be attuned to potential threats in their environment, and gathering information about dangerous situations could help them avoid similar fates.
In the modern world, where we‘re relatively safe from physical harm, this morbid curiosity manifests as a fascination with the macabre and the extreme. Watching a video of a horrific injury allows us to confront our own mortality and vulnerability from a safe distance.
Another psychological factor at play is the bystander effect, or the tendency for people to be less likely to help someone in need when there are other people around. In the case of viral injury videos, the bystander effect takes a digital form – we may feel less compelled to look away or stop watching because we know millions of others are also gawking.
There‘s also an element of social proof at work. When we see a video racking up views and comments, it piques our curiosity and makes us more likely to watch it ourselves. We want to be in on the conversation and understand what everyone else is talking about.
Sources: Psychology Today, Frontiers in Psychology
The Role of Social Media Algorithms
Of course, the viral spread of videos like the Westerman clip doesn‘t happen by accident. Social media algorithms are designed to surface and promote content that is highly engaging and shareable.
When a video starts generating a lot of likes, comments, and shares, the algorithms take notice and start showing it to even more people. This creates a snowball effect where the video can quickly rack up millions of views in a short period of time.
However, this algorithmic amplification of viral content can have some unintended consequences. It can create a race to the bottom where increasingly shocking and extreme videos are promoted over more balanced and nuanced content.
It‘s a delicate balance for social media companies. On one hand, they want to show users content that will keep them engaged and coming back for more. But they also have a responsibility to ensure that this content is safe, appropriate, and not causing harm.
In the case of the Westerman video, there‘s an argument to be made that its virality is relatively harmless. While the injury is certainly gruesome, Westerman himself has been a good sport about his newfound internet fame and even joked about it on his own social media accounts.
Source: Joe Westerman‘s Twitter
But it‘s still worth considering the broader implications of what goes viral and why. As users and creators, we all have a role to play in shaping the kind of content that gets amplified and celebrated online.
The Toughness of Rugby Players
One thing that the Westerman video has highlighted is the sheer toughness and grit of rugby league players. The sport is known for its hard hits, grueling physicality, and high risk of injury.
Studies have found that rugby players have a higher pain tolerance than the general population. This is likely due to a combination of factors, including genetics, training, and mental preparation.
Rugby players are also known for their "play through the pain" mentality. In a sport where injuries are common and substitutions are limited, players are often expected to keep going even when they‘re hurt.
While this toughness is admirable in some ways, it can also have negative consequences. Players may feel pressure to hide or downplay injuries, which can lead to more serious problems down the line. There have also been concerns about the long-term effects of repeated head trauma in rugby and other contact sports.
Sources: British Journal of Sports Medicine, International Journal of Sports Medicine
As fans and spectators, it‘s important to celebrate the incredible athleticism and dedication of rugby players while also advocating for their health and safety. No one should feel obligated to play through a serious injury like a dislocated kneecap.
Advancements in Sports Medicine
Thankfully, advancements in sports medicine have made it easier for athletes to recover from serious injuries and get back on the field faster than ever before.
Technologies like platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy and stem cell injections are being used to speed up the healing process for soft tissue injuries. 3D printing is allowing for customized braces and protective gear. And wearable sensors are giving coaches and trainers real-time data on player movement and biometrics.
Of course, the best approach is still prevention. Many teams are investing in comprehensive strength and conditioning programs to help players build resilience and prevent injuries from happening in the first place.
Source: American Journal of Sports Medicine
As our understanding of sports science continues to evolve, hopefully we‘ll see fewer players having to endure the kind of pain that Joe Westerman experienced on that fateful day in 2019.
Conclusion
The Joe Westerman knee video may be a small moment in the grand scheme of things, but it‘s a fascinating case study in the power of viral content and the psychology of sports fandom.
It‘s a reminder that in the age of social media, even the most fleeting and obscure moments can take on a life of their own and reach a massive global audience. And it‘s a testament to the incredible toughness and resilience of athletes who put their bodies on the line for our entertainment.
As Westerman himself said in a recent interview, "It‘s not something I‘m proud of, but it‘s something that happened and you just have to deal with it. It‘s part of the game."
Here‘s hoping that the next time Westerman goes viral, it‘s for a spectacular play on the field rather than a cringe-inducing injury. But either way, one thing is for sure – the man is an absolute legend.
Source: BBC Sport interview with Joe Westerman
