Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1+2 Changes Ableist Trick Name
The "Mute Grab" name was passed around the skating community for years, but Hawk wants it to honor its creator.
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1+2 is bringing back the classic stages and gameplay, but Tony Hawk himself is also seeing to it that the game corrects a past mistake. In an Instagram story, Hawk explained how one particular trick has had its name changed to honor its creator.
As Hawk explains, the "Mute Grab" was first performed around 1981 by deaf skater Chris Weddle. When it came time to name the trick, fellow skaters suggested naming it after the "quiet, mute guy"--despite the fact that Weddle was not mute--and so the name stuck. That name was passed along uncritically by the skating community for years, but recently the skate community has been more aware of issues like these. Hawk says he asked Weddle about it, who said he would have preferred it to be called the "Deaf" or "Weddle" grab.
"So as we embark on the upcoming @tonyhawkthegame demo release, some of you might notice a trick name change: The Weddle Grab," Hawk wrote. "It's going to be challenging to break the habit of saying the old name but I think Chris deserves the recognition."
Hawk went on to say that when he told Weddle the news, he was so excited he shot the attached photo:
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1+2 is coming in September, but a demo of the Warehouse stage will be available this Friday for pre-orders and some of those who bought a special Chipotle promotion. For more details, check out our Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1+2 pre-order guide.
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