If you were anywhere near a smartphone in the summer of 2017, you definitely saw it. A man in a motorized wheelchair sits in a driveway, surrounded by a chaotic flurry of lit fireworks. As the sparks start flying a bit too close for comfort, a woman’s voice—panicked but persistent—starts shouting the phrase that would eventually be etched into the digital hall of fame: "Back it up, Terry! Put it in reverse, Terry!"
It was hilarious. It was terrifying. Honestly, it was the perfect viral storm.
But behind the 15-second clip that launched a thousand remixes and t-shirts, there’s a real guy named Terry Davis from Memphis, Tennessee. Most people just see the meme and laugh, but the "Back it up Terry" meme is actually a story about family, a freak mechanical failure, and a community that stepped up when the internet’s spotlight turned into something much more meaningful than just a few million views.
The Anatomy of the Viral Moment
Let's talk about that Fourth of July in 2017.
Terry Davis was just trying to celebrate. He’s a guy who loves fireworks, and he was out in the street with his family doing what millions of Americans do every summer. The video wasn't some staged skit for TikTok—which wasn't even the powerhouse it is now back then. It was a raw, accidental masterpiece of timing.
Here is what most people miss: Terry wasn't just being stubborn. His wheelchair actually malfunctioned.
When you watch the video closely, you can see him fiddling with the controls. He’s trying to move. He’s trying to "back it up" just like his cousin, Annette Carter (the voice behind the camera), is screaming for him to do. But the joystick wasn't responding. He was essentially a sitting duck in a sea of "blooming" pyrotechnics.
"Oh, Lord! Ter! Back it up!"
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The tension in Annette's voice is what makes the video. It’s that specific brand of family love where you’re scared for someone but also kind of annoyed that they’ve managed to get themselves into such a ridiculous predicament.
Why We Can't Stop Quoting It
Memes usually die in a week. They have the shelf life of an open avocado. Yet, "Put it in reverse, Terry" has stayed in the lexicon for nearly a decade. Why?
It’s the rhythm.
The phrase has a natural, percussive beat to it. It’s become the universal shorthand for any situation where someone is heading toward a disaster they can clearly avoid. See a friend about to text an ex? Back it up, Terry. Watch a car realize they’re going the wrong way down a one-way street? Put it in reverse, Terry. It transcended the original context of fireworks and wheelchairs. It became a piece of linguistic equipment.
The Reality of Terry’s Life
People often forget there’s a human being in that chair. Terry Davis has faced some serious health challenges. He has struggled with complications related to his mobility for a long time, and the wheelchair seen in the original video wasn't exactly a high-end model. It was old. It was unreliable.
The meme actually did some real-world good, though.
After the video exploded, the family didn't just sit back and watch the numbers climb. They used the visibility. A GoFundMe was eventually set up because, let’s be real, specialized medical equipment is insanely expensive in this country. The internet, for all its toxicity, actually came through. Thousands of dollars were raised to help Terry get a new, reliable van and a better wheelchair—one that presumably wouldn't lock up when things started exploding.
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It’s one of those rare cases where viral fame actually improved someone’s quality of life instead of just making them a punchline for a week before the world moved on to the next "main character" of the day.
The Memphis Legend
Memphis takes care of its own. If you go to Memphis today and mention Terry, people know exactly who you’re talking about. He’s a local celebrity. He’s been featured on local news outlets like WREG, and he’s always come across as a guy with a great sense of humor about the whole thing.
He isn't bitter about the world laughing at his close call with a fountain firework. He leans into it. He knows he’s "Terry."
Beyond the Screen: The Impact on the Family
Annette, the woman who filmed it, is the unsung hero. Her commentary is 50% of the meme's DNA. Without her frantic narration, it’s just a video of a guy in a wheelchair near some smoke. With her, it’s a cinematic thriller.
She’s mentioned in interviews that she was genuinely terrified. In the moment, she thought the chair might catch fire. When the video first started blowing up, the family was a bit overwhelmed. You don't really prepare for your backyard hijacks to become the most-watched thing on the planet. But they handled it with a lot of grace. They didn't try to sue everyone using the clip; they just tried to steer the momentum toward helping Terry.
The "Back It Up Terry" Legacy in Pop Culture
Think about how many times this has been sampled. It’s been in rap songs. It’s been used as a sound bite by major YouTubers and streamers. It’s even made its way into professional sports broadcasts. When a quarterback takes a massive sack and starts scurrying backward, don't be surprised if you hear a commentator slip in a "Put it in reverse" reference.
It’s part of the "Golden Era" of viral videos—that period where things felt more organic and less like a calculated attempt to get an influencer deal.
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Misconceptions and Internet Rumors
Because the internet loves a tragedy, there have been several "death hoaxes" regarding Terry over the years. You’ll see a random Facebook post or a TikTok comment claiming he passed away.
As of the most recent reliable updates from his family and local Memphis sources, Terry is still here.
He’s living his life, hopefully staying a safe distance from anything involving a fuse. These hoaxes are a weird side effect of meme culture; once someone becomes a character in our heads, we almost expect there to be a "final episode." But Terry is a real person, not a character, and he’s still navigating the ups and downs of life in Tennessee.
What We Can Learn From a Fireworks Fail
There is a weirdly profound lesson in the "Back it up Terry" meme.
It’s about the vulnerability of people with disabilities and how often that's invisible until something goes wrong. If Terry had a state-of-the-art chair, there’s no meme. He just backs up, and we never hear his name. The meme exists because of a failure of technology—a failure that people with mobility issues deal with every single day.
It’s also a testament to the power of a "catchphrase." If Annette had shouted "Move away, Terence!" would it have gone viral? Probably not. The specific phrasing, the cadence, and the urgency created a perfect storm of comedic timing.
How to Support and Follow the Story
If you want to keep the spirit of the meme alive while respecting the man behind it, here are the best ways to engage:
- Watch the Official Channels: If the family has an official social media presence or YouTube channel, watch it there so they get the ad revenue rather than a random reposter.
- Support Disability Advocacy: Terry’s story highlighted how crucial reliable mobility equipment is. Consider donating to organizations that provide wheelchairs to those who can't afford them.
- Share with Context: When you post the meme, remember it’s a real guy named Terry. Share the story of his new van and the community support he received.
- Check the Facts: Next time you see a "RIP Terry" post, look for a reputable source. Don't feed the hoax machine.
Terry Davis gave the world a reason to smile during a pretty hectic year in history. The least we can do is remember that he’s more than just a 15-second loop. He’s a guy who, despite the sparks flying, eventually got his "reverse" gear working with a little help from his friends and a few million strangers.