We are all #TarpKid. A young member of the Kansas City Royals grounds crew is experiencing a little taste of overnight fame after getting nearly devoured by the infield cover at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., on Thursday, Oct. 8.
The teen, identified by local news as high school student Adam Wallace, was on the field to help roll out the tarp during a rain delay in game one of the American League Division Series between the Royals and the Houston Astros. Disaster struck when he slipped on the wet grass and got his foot caught under the heavy tarp.
Wallace’s fellow crew members, perhaps unaware that he was stuck or in a rush to cover the field, continued to roll out the tarp as he scrambled (unsuccessfully) to escape. Fortunately, the crew stopped before it swallowed him completely — but by then he was already well on his way to Internet fame.
Fans watching the game immediately took to Twitter to voice their concern for #TarpKid. The Royals said later he was checked out by medical personnel and had not been injured — so concern quickly turned to amusement. The tarp itself even got its own Twitter account!
Check out some of the funniest reactions below! (But seriously, #TarpKid, we feel you and hope you’re okay.)
We’re standing by if #TarpKid needs backup https://t.co/oisRdNe3fL
— Clay County Sheriff (@SheriffClayCo) October 9, 2015
You know you’ve reached greatness when you have your own hashtag. #TarpKid
— Heather (@mickeyksu) October 9, 2015
Help, I’ve fallen and I can’t get up!
— Royals Tarp Kid (@TarpKid) October 9, 2015
Thank you to the gentle reminder from the Royals grounds crew that life could be worse #TarpKid pic.twitter.com/s2VWSDKOZf
— Stacey Duderstadt (@StaceyDudersta1) October 9, 2015
Breaking: @Royals tarp fined/susp by @MLB rest of #ALDS. #TarpKid expected to make full recovery. #TakeTheCrown pic.twitter.com/NeNjfbGe6w
— Eric Burke (@EricBurkeKC) October 9, 2015
WILL SOMEONE PLEASE HELP THIS YOUNG MAN? http://t.co/flwuzXlHqN
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 9, 2015
Let’s win it for #tarpguy
— Coach Nick (@hoopsbynick) October 9, 2015
Hey @Royals #TarpGuy, if u can survive that monster tarp attack, we are looking for some good officer candidates. http://t.co/fO2kUDJBXK.
— Lenexa Police (@LenexaPolice) October 9, 2015
@sportspickle Some days you’re the tarp…. some days you’re #TarpGuy pic.twitter.com/AZZqZdtGYR
— Jen Cox (@coxjen) October 9, 2015