Hazed announces retirement from Esports

James "Hazed" Cobb, a former Counter-Strike and Valorant professional player, has decided to retire from the competitive esports scene. This decision comes on the heels of TSM, his last Valorant team, disbanding its roster a few weeks ago. Hazed's retirement at the age of 34 marks the end of an era in his gaming career.

The farewell announcement

Hazed chose to share his retirement announcement via his official Twitter account, stating that he is officially stepping away from professional gaming at the age of 34. It signifies the end of an era as he bids adieu to his cherished mouse and keyboard. In his heartfelt message, Hazed expressed his contentment with the journey he embarked on in 2004, emphasizing the remarkable people he met and the cherished memories he collected.

A storied career in Counter-Strike

The 34-year-old American gamer initially burst onto the esports scene through Counter-Strike, making a significant impact in mid-2010 when he competed in CS: Source with eMazing Gaming and Double Scope Gang. It wasn't until 2014 that he transitioned to CS:GO, where he played a key role under the CLG banner, participating in five Majors between 2015 and 2016. Although Hazed's CS:GO career did not yield any major LAN tournament victories, he played a crucial part in various notable rosters.

In 2017, Hazed made the pivotal decision to transition into a coaching role and took the reins of OpTic Gaming before venturing into the role of an analyst in the same year. Ultimately, in 2020, with the emergence of VALORANT, the American gamer decided to leave the world of Counter-Strike to compete under the Mythic banner in Riot Games' tactical shooter.

Hazed did not have most prolific E-sports career but definitely left his mark where he worked (credits: Dreamhack)

Embracing Valorant

The arrival of Valorant in 2020 provided Hazed with an opportunity for rebirth in the competitive gaming landscape. Shortly after the game's official launch, he signed with mouseSpaz, a decision that quickly paid off. Hazed's talent and experience shone through, earning him a place on TSM's roster alongside talents like Matthew "Wardell" Yu and Yassine "Subroza" Taoufik.

Hazed's tenure with TSM was marked by notable achievements, including a tournament victory in 2021. However, he later joined NRG as an in-game leader (IGL) and spent a year with the team. Towards the end of 2022, Hazed returned to TSM but remained with the team for only two months.

Hazed experience and dedication made him one of the early Valorant IGLs to make an impact in the newly-launched game (credits: NRG)

Conclusion

Hazed's career may not have been adorned with championship titles, but his unwavering dedication to esports over nearly two decades is a testament to his passion for the game. As he embarks on new endeavors beyond competitive gaming, the esports community can only wish him the best of luck and success in his future pursuits.

Hazed's legacy, both as a player and a coach, will undoubtedly leave an indelible mark on the esports world for years to come.

Feature image credits: Dreamhack

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