A Leap in the Air, Then an 'Excruciating' TikTok

BYU pole vaulter accidentally impales scrotum in video that's since gone viral
By Jenn Gidman,  Newser Staff
Posted Feb 21, 2020 6:12 AM CST

A compelling caption can be the deciding factor on whether someone views your TikTok video, and it looks like Zach McWhorter came up with a good one. "That one time the pole went through my nuts," is how the Brigham Young University student puts it in the clip that has since gone viral, and for the cringeworthy reason he noted: As the 21-year-old pole vaulter started his descent after a recent leap over the bar, the pole went right through his shorts and impaled his privates. "I could see right into my scrotum," he tells BuzzFeed, which adds that McWhorter was lucky enough to have a "Renaissance man" nearby when the accident happened—his dad, who's not only his coach but also a urologist.

The two sped to the hospital, where the elder McWhorter repaired the younger one with 18 stitches. Meanwhile, the video of the student's sports fail has since had millions of views, per the Salt Lake Tribune. KSL Sports notes that McWhorter is a four-time state champion in the pole vault in Arkansas, with a USA Track & Field national championship title under his belt—so will any permanent damage mar it all? He assures BuzzFeed there's "just a scar. One day, we'll find out if [my testicles] function or not." He also notes that two valuable life lessons have emerged out of this incident: "Don't free ball (wearing cross country shorts without spandex)" and "always put a cap on the end of the pole." (More viral video stories.)

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