Bwipo Suspended by FlyQuest: The Real Cost of Sexist Comments in Esports

If you’ve been anywhere near League of Legends or esports X lately, you’ve probably witnessed the absolute storm that FlyQuest’s top laner Bwipo managed to brew with just a few misplaced words during a recent stream. It’s a classic case of what some are calling “foot-in-mouth-ery,” and it cost him a suspension, a slice of his prize money, and a chunk of his reputation.

Here’s what went down.

So, What Did Bwipo Actually Say?

During a September livestream, Bwipo, real name Gabriël Rau, ventured into territory even seasoned pros often avoid: women’s participation in esports. He started by acknowledging a lack of structural support for female players, which sounded… okay, maybe even thoughtful? But then things went sideways. Fast.

He suggested that women shouldn’t play competitive games during their menstrual cycles because, in his words, “There is a time in the month where you should not be fucking playing competitive games as a woman, in my opinion.” He doubled down by saying that during that time, women are prone to getting “super irritated at every little thing,” based on his personal experience living with an ex-girlfriend who played League.

Yikes.

He even offered what he called “realistic solutions”. Llike playing on a smurf account or focusing on VOD reviews instead of competing during that time. Because, you know, “competition isn’t going to schedule around your period.”

If you’re cringing, you’re not alone.

The Community Pushes Back

The reaction was swift and brutal. From Reddit to X to TikTok, clips of Bwipo’s comments spread like wildfire. Critics called the take everything from “dated” and “harmful” to “plain dangerous.”

Popular caster Isaac “Azael” Cummings-Bentley didn’t hold back, stating: “Women being unable to play games competitively due to their periods is as dumb and dangerous of a take as I’ve seen in a while.” He added that in his two decades in esports, he’d met incredibly calm and logical women and, conversely, highly emotional men.

Eefje “Sjokz” Depoortere, one of the most prominent women in League of Legends, responded pointedly on TikTok: “What do you think women do? Women are on their period bleeding buckets, having extreme pains… they’re out there breaking Olympic records… But a game of League? Woah! Hold the phone.”

women emotional when period so cant play competitive games is such dangerous rhetoric in the bigger context god damn

find it hard to type all i want so posted a tiktok about the matter

— Eefje Depoortere (@sjokz) September 9, 2025

Others memed the situation into oblivion. One X user tweeted: “You can’t be a pro player but you can be a doctor, lawyer, scientist, athlete. Makes sense.”

Even Bwipo’s ex-girlfriend jumped into the fray, clarifying that they hadn’t been together for a while and expressing frustration at being used as his example for “why women can’t play competitive.

FlyQuest’s Move: Suspension and Donations

FlyQuest, the NA org that prides itself on inclusivity through initiatives like its RED program, acted quickly. They suspended Bwipo for the next series of the LTA playoffs—a crucial match against Vivo Keyd Stars—and announced they’d donate his prize money from the event to causes supporting women in gaming.

In their official statement, FlyQuest called Bwipo’s comments “antithetical to FlyQuest’s core values” and emphasized that discouraging even one woman from pursuing esports harms the entire industry.

It wasn’t just PR talk. FlyQuest has built a brand around supporting diverse communities, and this response aligned with that ethos.

Bwipo’s Apology: “I F****d Up”

Facing the heat, Bwipo issued a public apology on X: “Hi everyone, I know I fucked up. My comments were ignorant and disrespectful to women, including those close to me. I’m sorry to those I hurt.”

He promised to “reflect, listen, and do better.” But as with many celebrity apologies, the community was split. Some accepted it as sincere; others felt it was damage control after losing his playoff spot and a portion of his income.

Why This Matters Beyond the Drama

This isn’t just about one player’s bad take. It’s about the ongoing struggle for gender equality in esports. Women remain severely underrepresented in professional gaming, and comments like Bwipo’s, however “well-intentioned” he might have thought they were, reinforce harmful stereotypes that keep women on the sidelines.

It also highlights a recurring theme: esports pros are influencers, whether they like it or not. Their words carry weight, especially with young fans. Ignorance isn’t just excusable because they’re good at clicking mice and keyboards.

What’s Next for Bwipo and FlyQuest?

Bwipo missed FlyQuest’s match against Vivo Keyd Stars on September 20th, with substitute player İbrahim “Gakgos” Bulut stepping in. FlyQuest is still in the running for Worlds 2025, so the suspension couldn’t have come at a more critical time.

But the bigger question is whether Bwipo’s career will recover. He’s been a standout player for years, with stints at Fnatic and Team Liquid. But reputation is fragile in esports, and this isn’t his first brush with controversy.

Can Esports Grow Up?

Esports is still young compared to traditional sports, but it’s maturing quickly. With that maturity comes responsibility—for players, orgs, and fans. Bwipo’s comments and FlyQuest’s response show that the industry is capable of holding its stars accountable.

But it also shows how far we have to go. Women shouldn’t have to defend their ability to play video games “during that time of the month.” Men shouldn’t be explaining women’s experiences to them. And esports as a whole needs to move beyond biological determinism if it ever wants to be truly inclusive.

So yeah, Bwipo messed up. But maybe—just maybe—this whole mess will lead to more conversations, more education, and eventually, a better environment for everyone who loves competitive gaming.

Even if you’re on your period.

What do you think? Was FlyQuest’s response appropriate? Is there room for forgiveness here? Let us know in the comments.