For most esports athletes, once they’re perceived that they’ve passed their peak or gone over the hill, the only option left is to either move into coaching, retire, return to streaming or the worst of the lot, drop esports altogether for a ‘normal’ 9-5 job.

But that’s not the case for former Dallas Fuel DPS star, Timo ‘Taimou’ Kettunen. Having lost his starting DPS slot in the Dallas Fuel during Season 2 of the Overwatch League, very few would blame or even speak ill of the Finnish DPS maestro if he decided to hang up his errr…. mouse? Why would they? Taimou has done everything there is in professional Overwatch, most importantly being part of the legendary EnVyUs team which became the first ever North American team to win on Korean soil by winning the OGN Apex Season 1.

Aiming to bounce back and reestablish his place in the pantheon of pro-Overwatch (which in all honesty, he’s earned it) legends, Taimou today announced that he will be joining Team EnVyUs’ Overwatch Contenders team.

I could have stayed benched whole year and get higher salary but instead I wanted to pursue happiness that is professional play again.

Streaming’s not it. 9-5 ain’t it. Whatever game or league i’m gonna be playing until I’m 40 years old BBoomer https://t.co/pxmq1TrfKA

— Taimou (@DF_Taimou) January 8, 2020

To those still at lost at what just happened, imagine witnessing a pro footballer forgoing the life of earning a big paycheck to just sit on the subs bench to instead, play in the lower leagues which guarantees more playtime and opportunity to show everyone that he still got it.

The fact that EnVy’s Contenders team shares the same owner as Dallas Fuel does not undermine this bold decision. When lesser players have retired at the hint of irrelevance or guaranteed of a starting slot, this move reaffirms Taimou’s competitiveness and dedication to the game. The guy’s a legend and regardless of how his foray in Contenders turn out to be, he’s should be an example for every aspiring and current esports players out there.

Good luck in Contenders Taimou. We wish you all the best.