Valorant participant Tyler “sym” Porter has died aged 21 in a automotive crash.
The information was shared on Could 5 by one in all Porter’s associates 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 finest pal @symstar and our good pal Austen sadly handed away late final night time in a automotive accident,” the put up learn. “Tyler was celebrating his twenty first birthday journey.”Article continues after advert
With a damaged coronary heart I write this message to everybody that sadly my finest pal @symstar and our good pal Austen sadly handed away late final night time in a automotive accident. Tyler was celebrating his twenty first birthday journey. I do know he introduced laughs and smiles to lots of people and If any… pic.twitter.com/nZPpP0PfbC— Harry (@HarryOG7) Could 5, 2026
Porter was finest recognized for his time competing in Valorant with TSM, the place he performed for each the group’s academy after which the primary roster in 2024.
Tributes paid to sym
TSM paid tribute to Porter in an announcement posted to social media following information of his dying.
“From elevating our Academy program to serving to us attain Ascension on the primary roster, you left your mark on TSM VALORANT,” the group wrote.Article continues after advert
“You had a lot forward of you, and we’ll miss you dearly, @symstar. Could you and Austen relaxation in peace.”Article continues after advert
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 once shut,” bang wrote. “We have been each making an attempt to go professional on the identical time and we teamed collectively quite a bit within the early components 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 have been each irresponsible youngsters again then with horrible sleep schedules. Relaxation in peace Tyler, you can be missed.”Article continues after advert
Leo Faria, International Head of Valorant Esports at Riot Video games, additionally posted a message following the information.Article continues after advert
“My condolences to Tyler’s household and associates,” Faria stated. “This tragedy is a stark reminder of how fragile life is. Care for yourselves, be good to one another, and maintain your family members shut right this moment.”
Porter competed throughout a number of Valorant occasions throughout his profession and was thought to be one of many promising younger gamers to return by North America’s tier-two scene earlier than stepping away from skilled play.Article continues after advert
He returned as a stand-in in the beginning of 2026, taking part in for Winthrop College. Sym’s pal Austen Reed was additionally a aggressive Valorant participant, who performed below the identify “yuno”.
