My Retirement:
Today I am officially retiring from professional League of Legends. This special journey led me to meet and befriend some truly amazing people from different countries and walks of life. To those I have the pleasure of calling my friend, I wish you all the best in esports and whatever follows after. I will always be rooting for you. If you ever find yourself in my area, don't be a stranger.
Like some other players, I was unable to find an LCS spot when the LCS was reduced from 10 teams to 8. I felt like I had the best split of my career in the Summer of 2023, but the lack of job security that followed made me consider if it was time to move on. When I entered the league in 2020, I deferred a scholarship to law school on the conditions that I would save money for living costs and pursue a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Being a professional gamer is a spectacular job for which I am very grateful. But for what the job offers in terms of salary, quality of life, and perks, it lacks in time for others, stability, and longevity. Even more, the average salary is no longer what it was when I joined. So, while I was boot camping in Korea in 2023, I began re-applying to law schools. While I know there are a lot of people bitter and disappointed with the way Riot and LCS orgs have operated (less so in 2024), I want to focus on those who I believe are assets to the industry and just good people (from my obviously biased perspective).
First, I want to thank all the staff and players on Golden Guardians in my first year of professional play. I experienced a tragic personal loss during my first split in LCS and, from that, carried a lot of guilt that presented itself in me drifting away from the teammate and player I wanted to be. Whether or not they were aware, my coworkers were a significant help to me just by being intelligent, kind, and funny people. RIP Golden Guardians.
Second, I want to thank Glen Yang (ex-TSM General Manager) for giving me another chance after my first stint in LCS. He has a rare mix of talent and honesty that is lacking in esports. Third, I want to thank my girlfriend Avery for her unwavering support throughout this profession. Fourth, I want to thank my friends and family who watched and supported me, as well as FlyQuest for giving me another opportunity to play.
Finally, I want to thank any fans of my career or the LCS. Reading supportive comments and meeting fans always felt so amazing and surreal to me. I am a pretty private person, and I never struck a good balance between being a competitor and a public figure/entertainer. It's not a valid excuse, and I urge those who continue to pursue league professionally to consider its importance.
This year, I got to play with an all-star lineup in FlyQuest Challengers. Every member of this team has incredible potential. The way I see it, winning the NACL spring split showed that either (1) I’m not that old and still got it or (2) my team dragged a washed-up support past the finish line and all deserve promotions (coach included). Despite finishing 3rd in the summer split, I am still very happy to have shared this experience with my teammates, and I wish them all the best.
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