David “Phreak” Turley, a former League of Legends caster turned developer, has revealed that he is departing from social media due to an increase in toxicity and receiving death threats. Despite regularly posting videos on League’s patch previews on his YouTube channel, Phreak explained in his latest video released on Nov. 15 that the surge in toxicity has reached a point where it is not worth navigating through the negativity, including death threats. Consequently, he has decided to take a hiatus from social media.
In his video statement, Phreak expressed, “The amount of toxicity has risen so sharply that it’s not worth me seeing the occasionally useful comment amidst all the death threats. So it is what it is.”
The decision for Phreak to step back from social media, though unfortunate, is not surprising given the notorious toxicity within League’s community. Phreak, by elucidating Riot’s changes in his videos, positioned himself as a visible figure of the developer team, making him an easy target for trolls and toxic individuals in the community. One can only hope that the negative sentiments towards him subside during his time away from social media.
Phreak transitioned to the developer team in December 2022 after a career as a League caster since 2009. With an extensive casting background, including coverage of LCS and major international events like Mid-Season Invitationals and Worlds, he has been a prominent figure in the League of Legends scene. Phreak even served as a caster in the inaugural League of Legends World Championship in 2011.
Despite the prevalence of toxic players in the community, there are also many individuals who support Phreak’s decision. The news quickly spread on social media platforms where players and fans expressed their backing for Phreak and criticized those responsible for harassing the former caster.