Put It In Reverse Terry: Viral Meme Origin Story Explained

Few viral moments capture panic and humor quite like the “Put It In Reverse, Terry” video. The 2017 clip, filmed on Facebook Live in Memphis, shows Terry Davis in a power wheelchair unable to reverse away from a lit firework while a friend frantically yells instructions.

Year of viral video: 2017 · Original platform: Facebook Live · Location: Memphis, Tennessee · Current status: Alive and well

Eight key facts, one pattern: the video’s impact went far beyond one scary moment.

The implication: the video’s raw panic turned a near-miss into a decade-long internet fixture.

What is put it in reverse terry from?

The viral video: a close call with fireworks

• The clip shows Terry in a power wheelchair near a lit firework on July 4, 2017 (KCAU-TV (local Sioux City news))
• He was unable to reverse the wheelchair, and a firework was approaching (Know Your Meme (internet meme database))

The friend’s frantic warning

• The cameraman, later identified as Terry’s cousin Eldraco Wooten, shouts “Back up, back up! Put it in reverse, Terry!” (Know Your Meme)
• The wheelchair did not have a reverse function, adding to the panic (Know Your Meme)

How the video captured the internet

• Uploaded to YouTube the next day by the channel “Woo” (Eldraco Wooten), the video earned 949,000 views by 2023 (Know Your Meme)
• A Twitter repost in 2017 by user Ronalf gained 14.8 million views (Know Your Meme)

The pattern: authenticity drove virality, not production value.

Did Back It Up Terry pass away?

Terry’s current status according to local news

• Terry was interviewed by KCAU-TV in Sioux City on July 5, 2019, alive and in good spirits (KCAU-TV)
• He confirmed he was safe and appreciated the support (KCAU-TV)

The 2019 interview with Terry

• The interview video on KCAU’s YouTube channel received 420,000 views (Know Your Meme)
• He spoke about the viral moment and the donations that funded a new wheelchair (KCAU-TV)

Addressing death rumors

• False rumors of Terry’s death circulated online in 2020, but no credible source confirmed them (Know Your Meme)
• The 2019 interview remains the most recent direct update from a news outlet

The implication: Death rumors spread quickly in a low-information environment. Without regular media follow‑ups, speculation fills the gap.

How did the “Back it up Terry” guy react?

Terry’s own reaction to the meme

• In his 2019 interview, Terry said he never expected the video to “blow up like that” and found it “crazy” but funny (KCAU-TV)
• He embraced the catchphrase and the attention it brought (Know Your Meme)

His friend’s perspective

• Eldraco Wooten, the cousin who filmed, has not given public interviews but is known as the “Woo” channel owner (Know Your Meme)
• His frantic warning became the meme’s defining soundbite

Public response

• The meme has been used in reaction GIFs, remixes, and TikTok reenactments (Know Your Meme)
• A TikTok recreation by @joemartel3 in July 2022 amassed 45.6 million plays (Know Your Meme)

“I never expected it to blow up like that. It’s crazy.” — Terry, 2019 interview

Who is the person in the “Put it in reverse Terry” video?

Identity of Terry

• Terry’s full name is Antario “Terry” Davis, though his last name is not widely publicized (Know Your Meme)
• He lived in Memphis, Tennessee at the time of the video (Know Your Meme)

The friend’s name

• The friend is Eldraco Wooten, Terry’s cousin, who goes by the channel name “Woo” (Know Your Meme)
• His full name is known from Know Your Meme documentation

Location and context

• The incident occurred in a residential area in Memphis, Tennessee, during a July 4 fireworks celebration (KCAU-TV)
• Terry was using a motorized wheelchair that lacked reverse capability

How did the “Put it in reverse Terry” meme become popular?

The initial Facebook live stream

• The video was first live-streamed on Facebook on July 4, 2017, then re-uploaded to YouTube (Know Your Meme)
• Facebook Live’s algorithm promoted the raw, unedited moment

Cross-platform sharing

• Reddit and Twitter picked it up within days; the Twitter post alone reached 14.8 million views (Know Your Meme)
• The clip was turned into a GIF and shared across Tumblr, Instagram, and later TikTok

Cultural impact and longevity

• The catchphrase entered everyday slang for reversing a vehicle or a decision (Know Your Meme)
• Annual resurgences around July 4 keep the meme alive; TikTok recreations in 2022 introduced it to a new generation

Why this matters: The meme outlived the typical viral cycle because it taps into a simple, repeatable audio clip—and a genuinely funny moment of human panic.

“Back up, back up! Put it in reverse, Terry!” — Eldraco Wooten, cousin and videographer

“The video shows a man in a power wheelchair stuck near a lit firework.” — MobilityDirect blog author

For internet culture enthusiasts, the legacy of Terry Davis is a reminder that viral fame can bring tangible help—a new wheelchair—but also unwanted rumors. Platforms face a choice: verify before sharing, or let the myth grow.

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