A former Jeopardy! contestant was the subject of mockery by "very jerky people" and was even mentioned in a Saturday Night Live skit for his facial hair.
Trolls thought Brian Henegar–a guest services agent from LaFollette, Tennessee who sported a mustache–looked like the World War II instigator, Adolf Hitler, and they barraged his Twitter feed with endless comparisons of him to the leader of the Nazi party after Henegar appeared on the show.
Although Henegar went on to win $23,000, he became consumed by the ensuing ridicule when he should have celebrated his winnings.
“Right now I’m feeling every emotion under the sun reliving my Jeopardy! appearance," he tweeted on his private Twitter page before announcing he was leaving the platform for good.
"And I’m seeing what a bunch of Jerks on Twitter are doing because all they can focus on my looks."
"So I’m going to be leaving Twitter for a while, see you soon."
He followed up the tweet the next day and addressed the “really hurtful comments by some very jerky people [that] made me lose all faith in humanity."
You can watch a news report, here.
Henegar continued:
“So I have two things to say right now, and then I’m not gonna say anything else about the matter for the sake of my own sanity."
"For starters, even though I’ve spent about 10 years on it, i’m shaving off my mustache tonight…too much work to keep it tight.”
For his second point, he announced how he was going to turn the bullying situation into something positive.
"To all of you jerkolas you thought comparing my appearance to one of the most evil dictators, who ever lived was the height of comedy, when I get my Jeopardy winnings, I will be making a donation to the Anti-Defamation League.”
Fortunately, there were plenty of compassionate people online who shared uplifting messages and encouraged him to ignore said "jerkolas."
\u201c@JepMasta Dude, awesome game, and your reaction to winning was so wonderfully genuine.\n\nThe randos on this app, the people you've never met and never will meet, aren't worth the time of day.\n\nBut us, the J! Family...we've all got your back.\u201d— Mike Elliott (@Mike Elliott) 1680719646
\u201c@JepMasta I'm so sorry you were treated so terribly. You seem like a nice, likeable guy, and you're obviously very knowledgeable and a great player. I know it's easier said than done, but try not to let the haters get to you.\u201d— Elon Musk is a whiny little bitch\ud83d\udc99 (@Elon Musk is a whiny little bitch\ud83d\udc99) 1680708307
\u201c@JepMasta I thought you were great! The haters hate because they're haters. It's nothing to do with us. They just don't have anyone who cares enough to tell them to stop being jerks. I always love to see a player on Jeopardy get carried away with emotion. I hope today's show goes well.\u201d— Lagaya (@Lagaya) 1680708805
\u201c@JepMasta As someone who has been teased for the majority of her life, and has seen some rather hurtful comments, it really does hurt. Thankfully, there are people who are all about love and positivity. I am glad that you are staying.\u201d— Margann Laurissa (@Margann Laurissa) 1680718083
\u201c@JepMasta Well, just know there are a lot of people who love you and your genuineness. They are your tribe.\n\n#proudsister\u201d— Katie Smith (@Katie Smith) 1680657023
\u201c@JepMasta We have your back.\u201d— Jason "Beat The" Block Redux (@Jason "Beat The" Block Redux) 1680657996
Supporters also praised his game and gave him compliments.
\u201c@JepMasta I thought you were great, and I was actually a little touched at how excited you were when you won! Please don't take it to heart.\u201d— Christina (@Christina) 1680669101
\u201c@JepMasta Taking a break is an excellent idea, but from another previous J! contestant, I just wanted to let you know that you played excellently, I love your fashion sense, and your reaction when you won was one of my favorite things this week.\u201d— Dr. Rachel Karas (@Dr. Rachel Karas) 1680713727
In spite of the mockery, Henegar maintained a sense of humor.
He chose to settle on growing a goatee instead of shaving the facial hair and joked:
"I admit that I run the risk of making myself look like my evil twin from a parallel universe, but that's just the risk I am willing to take."
On this past Saturday's SNL episode, "Weekend Update" anchor Colin Jost referenced Henegar without naming him for a punchline, saying:
“A Jeopardy! contestant this week was forced to quit social media after people said his mustache looks like Hitler’s."
"The contestant said he’s so mad, he’s had it up to here.”
Jost gestured the Nazi salute while delivering the last line.
In response, Henegar tweeted sarcastically:
"Well…I guess it's great to make it on Saturday Night Live…I suppose."
