Valorant participant Tyler “sym” Porter has died aged 21 in a automotive crash.
The information was shared on Might 5 by one in every of Porter’s mates on X, who confirmed the previous professional participant and one other pal named Austen had died in a car accident whereas Porter was celebrating his twenty first birthday.
“With a damaged coronary heart, I write this message to everybody that sadly my greatest pal @symstar and our good pal Austen sadly handed away late final night time in a automotive accident,” the submit learn. “Tyler was celebrating his twenty first birthday journey.”
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Porter was greatest recognized for his time competing in Valorant with TSM, the place he performed for each the group’s academy after which the principle roster in 2024.
Tributes paid to sym
TSM paid tribute to Porter in a press release posted to social media following information of his demise.
“From elevating our Academy program to serving to us attain Ascension on the principle roster, you left your mark on TSM VALORANT,” the group wrote.
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“You had a lot forward of you, and we’ll miss you dearly, @symstar. Might you and Austen relaxation in peace.”
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A number of figures from throughout the Valorant esports scene additionally shared tributes, together with 100 Thieves participant Sean “bang” Bezerra.
“I hadn’t talked to Tyler in a really very long time however we was shut,” bang wrote. “We had been each attempting to go professional on the similar time and we teamed collectively so much within the early elements of our profession.”
“I’ll cherish all of the recollections I made with him and the issues we taught one another. I’ve this humorous screenshot of us spam messaging one another to get up for scrims cuz we had been each irresponsible youngsters again then with horrible sleep schedules. Relaxation in peace Tyler, you can be missed.”
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Leo Faria, International Head of Valorant Esports at Riot Video games, additionally posted a message following the information.
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“My condolences to Tyler’s household and mates,” Faria stated. “This tragedy is a stark reminder of how fragile life is. Deal with yourselves, be good to one another, and maintain your family members shut in the present day.”
Porter competed throughout a number of Valorant occasions throughout his profession and was thought to be one of many promising younger gamers to come back via North America’s tier-two scene earlier than stepping away from skilled play.
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He returned as a stand-in in the beginning of 2026, enjoying for Winthrop College. Sym’s pal Austen Reed was additionally a aggressive Valorant participant, who performed underneath the identify “yuno”.
