MyMemeCards editorial team
Watch the ref
Nobody has added this meme's ref yet. Got the original video or post?
In MyMemeCards, the meme card game, “Crying Northwestern Kid” is a common card of the Memes World series 73, number 21897 of the collection, and the 239th best-known meme of its 300 cards. Here is what the meme means, where it comes from, and how to get its card.
What does the “Crying Northwestern Kid” meme mean?
It embodies extreme sports frustration and a sense of injustice against a perceived erroneous verdict. The image illustrates a disproportionate emotional reaction, often used to express bitter disappointment or intense sadness following an unexpected setback or unfairness.
Where does the “Crying Northwestern Kid” meme come from?
The scene comes from the second-round NCAA tournament game between Northwestern and Gonzaga, played in Salt Lake City on March 18, 2017. John Phillips, then eleven years old and in seventh grade, was supporting the Wildcats. With seven minutes and fifty-four seconds left, an offensive foul against Barret Benson was reclassified as a flagrant foul after video review. CBS Sports, broadcasting the event, zoomed in on the tearful face of athletic director Jim Phillips' son. A clip of this sequence was posted on Twitter by the network, triggering immediate virality around this expression of pure sorrow.
- March 18, 2017Broadcast of the NCAA match between Northwestern and Gonzaga by CBS Sports, showing John Phillips crying.
- March 2017Posting of a video clip on Twitter by CBS Sports, making the scene instantly viral.
How to use the “Crying Northwestern Kid” meme
- Share an image of this crying boy to illustrate your own disappointment over bad news or a minor failure.
- Use the GIF in response to an unfair officiating decision in a video game or sport to mark your incredulity.
- Reference this event to describe a situation where one feels agonizing emotional distress following a sports reversal.
Also searched as
- crying northwestern kid meme
- crying northwestern kid meaning
- crying northwestern kid origin
- who is john phillips crying kid
- northwestern vs gonzaga ncaa 2017 foul
- john phillips father jim phillips
The “Crying Northwestern Kid” card in MyMemeCards
| Number | No. 21897 |
|---|---|
| Rarity | Common |
| Collection | Memes World series 73 |
| Fame | 62/100 · #239 of 300 |
| Recycle value | 5 MemeCoins (15 in Shiny) |
How to get the “Crying Northwestern Kid” card
Every pack holds 5 meme cards, the first 3 of them Common; Crying Northwestern Kid comes out of the Memes World series 73 as a common card. The pack odds say what each rarity weighs.
Your first pack is free and needs no account. After that a new free pack lands every 10 minutes, up to 3 waiting for you. You can also buy the card with MemeCoins on the market, bid for it at auction, or trade it — and a double recycles into 5 MemeCoins.
Open your free pack
5 meme cards, one of them at least Rare. One free pack per person.
Free · no account needed
Odds per card, averaged over a pack: Common 72%, Rare 23.9%, Epic 3.2%, Legendary 0.56%, Mythic 0.3%, Full Art ≤ 0.1%, Shiny 0.2%. Cards 1 to 3 are always Common, cards 4 and 5 climb the rarities. Rates drop for cards that circulate a lot. Details
Memes like “Crying Northwestern Kid”
More cards of the Memes World series 73
Frequently asked questions
Who is the crying boy in the Crying Northwestern Kid meme?
He is John Phillips, aged eleven at the time. He was a seventh-grade student and the son of Jim Phillips, the athletic director for the Northwestern Wildcats.
Which team was playing in the Crying Northwestern Kid meme?
The Northwestern Wildcats faced the Gonzaga Bulldogs during the 2017 men's NCAA basketball tournament in March.
Why was John Phillips crying in the original video?
His disappointment stemmed from a controversial officiating decision: an offensive foul was reclassified as a flagrant foul after video review, altering the game's flow.
When and where did the Crying Northwestern Kid meme go viral?
It went viral in March 2017, shortly after the match broadcast, when a clip was shared on Twitter by CBS Sports.
How do I get the Crying Northwestern Kid meme card?
Open a pack of MyMemeCards: “Crying Northwestern Kid” is a common card of the Memes World series 73. Your first pack is free, with no account, and you can also buy, trade or win the card at auction.
How rare is the Crying Northwestern Kid card?
It is a Common card. Rarity decides which pack slot can deal it, and what it is worth on the market.
Sources: WATCH: Crying Northwestern fan in total anguish after a call against ... · The 'Crying Northwestern Kid' who went viral during March Madness now attends Harvard · 'Crying Northwestern kid' from 2017 March Madness now a Harvard ... · checked on October 15, 2026.
Read next
Want Crying Northwestern Kid in your collection?
Open your free pack: 5 meme cards, no account needed.