Aphromoo announces retirement from competitive play after legendary, decade-long career
Legendary LCS player Zaqueri "Aphromoo" Black announces retirement from competitive play after a long, and storied career.
Aphromoo Announces Retirement
One of the most iconic North American professional League of Legends players of all time, Zaqueri "Aphromoo" Black, has announced his retirement from competitive play. Aphromoo's retirement was announced in a YouTube video posted on his YouTube page titled "I'm retiring from League of Legends." Additionally, an announcement was posted on his Twitter linking fans to the YouTube video.
Importantly, Aphromoo has played in just about every single split since the LCS was formed in 2013. He has played for Counter Logic Gaming (CLG), 100 Thieves (100T), Dignitas (DIG), and FlyQuest (FLY) throughout his decade-long run. Aphromoo is the North America's longest tenured player, racking up an insane 597 games played on-stage between 2013 and 2022.
Aphromoo has had one of the most storied careers of any LCS player. The legendary support has won back-to-back LCS titles on CLG, was an MSI finalist, and an LCS MVP. Aphro retires from the LCS at age 30. Taking home his first LCS championship in the 2015 LCS Summer Finals, obliterating Team SoloMid (TSM) 3-0. CLG would run back a finals with TSM the next split, taking them down in a closer series going 3-2.
At the 2016 Mid-Season Invitational, CLG would exceed expectations, triumphing their way to the finals of the second biggest international tournament in League of Legends eSports. This would mark the first time a North American team had participated in an MSI finale. Aphro played out of his mind at this MSI, setting up tons of oppurtunity for CLG to push their advantage all across the map.
Impressively, Aphromoo found success away from CLG, helping bring 100T to the finals in their inaugural split in 2018. Furthermore, Aphro would win MVP this split, being the first support, and first NA born resident to win the accolade.
Credit: LoL Esports and Riot GamesMoving Forward
Aphromoo continues in the retirement video: "I'm done. You know, I can go out, you know, proud of what I've done in League of Legends." While he is done with competitive eSports, Aphro says "...you'll probably see a lot more content from me. I'll be streaming." Aphromoo explains he will not stick to a set schedule for streaming, and only stream "when it's right for me." Make sure to check out Aphro's streams on his Twitch channel.
Aphromoo says he plans on spending more time with his family, and doing activities outside of gaming like working on his car. It's beautiful to see such a long-time face of the LCS move on to the next chapter of his life, and Aphro deserves whatever good comes his way.
Image source: Riot Games