The Twitch streamer Richard “FaZe Banks” Bengston has just found an unusual hero on the internet. However, he is not really keen on the fuss.
What kind of guy is he? Richard “Ricky” Bengston, better known as “Banks”, is the founder of one of the largest e-sports organizations in the world, FaZe Clan. Instead of focusing on sporting success, FaZe Clan primarily relies on cool content creators.
This has given the organization a huge presence on social media, but it doesn’t always shine in a good light.
- Banks faced intense criticism in 2019 for how he recruited the then Fortnite star Tfue
- In 2021, there was trouble over 4 members of FaZe Clan who advertised a bad cryptocurrency
- After the increasing commercialization of the clan and a disastrous IPO, the FaZe Clan celebrated a major reboot in May 2024 – however, some content creators got left behind
Banks himself is hanging out with the tricky kick streamer Adin Ross (via X) and had a video, in which he talks about a “crypto controversy”, sponsored by the controversial online casino Stake (via X). So he is not exactly the type of guy you first think of when you hear the term “hero”.
However, that changed when he supported a member of FaZe Clan in a crisis.
The Twitch streamer Lacy is also a member of FaZe Clan. Here you can see him in action.
Why was he declared a hero now? This involved the FaZe streamer Sketch. He experienced a storybook rise on Twitch in 2024. In July, a YouTuber exposed the streamer’s past: Sketch allegedly distributed homosexual explicit content on the paid platform OnlyFans.
Sketch later said in a stream that the fear of his past coming to light had long hung over him. In case it became known, he had a “not very good” plan.
When images from his previous job went viral, Sketch left the FaZe house and apparently left behind his glasses and a pair of shoes, making his way to the airport. It cannot be ruled out that the streamer wanted to harm himself or considered it.
Banks, however, stood by Sketch in a post on X: “All the FaZe guys were there for him last night. Sketch was my homie yesterday, he is my homie today and he will be my homie tomorrow.” He also posted a chat history in which he encourages the streamer to come back to the house and comforts him.
In a stream, Sketch later expressly thanked Banks. If he had been alone at home, he might not be talking to his fans now, according to the streamer. For many, it was clear: the FaZe founder has practically saved Sketch’s life. Fans called him a hero on social media – however, he doesn’t really feel comfortable with that.
What does he say about it? In another post on X, Banks explains that the “‘hero’ comments and the ‘you saved his life’ stuff” are “a little uncomfortable.” He doesn’t feel worthy of the praise, he just did what he would wish from any decent person.
The events surrounding Sketch have reminded him once again why he distanced himself from all the “internet crap” in the first place. People are so obsessed with approval and likes that they would put someone under so much pressure that they would really consider taking their own life.
Banks concludes: “Yesterday could have been a much darker day, and I just thank God that it went the other way.” You can see the whole post here:
Just shortly before, FaZe streamer Lacy also made headlines with a special action when a teenager who had been missing for months suddenly appeared on his stream. You can find out more about it here: “The power of the internet” – Thanks to 2 Twitch streamers, a missing boy can be found
