Tyler "sym" Porter has passed away aged 21 in a car accident alongside his friend Austen "Yuno" Reed, a former competitor, his best friend Harry announced on Twitter/X. sym and Yuno were celebrating the former's 21st birthday trip.

sym (Photo: Riot Games)

“I know he brought laughs and smiles to a lot of people…I hope you might say a prayer for both of them, may they both rest in peace,” wrote Harry.

sym made his competitive debut back in 2020, and over the years would work his way onto notable North American teams such as Nearest Airport Nearest Airport Inactive melya Emily Khan k0rupt Wylie Watts BlackMoose Shawn Fox Uncreative Kuba Kosiba Tn and TSM Academy TSM Academy Inactive . Eventually, sym would break into Challengers in 2023 where he and the rest of Moist Moguls Moist Moguls Inactive aproto Alex Protopapas sym Tyler Porter brawk Brock Somerhalder flyuh Xavier Carlson thief Brady Dever finished third in North America, just one win away from qualifying to that year's Ascension tournament.

Despite the setback, sym returned to Challengers in 2024 after TSM TSM Inactive Timotino Timothée Lavigne Dupont stand-in alvinboy Alvin Hong stand-in seven Johann Hernandez gMd Anthony Guimond vora Jordan Pulwer signed the BackOutsideBoys BackOutsideBoys Inactive roster. This time, however, sym and his team would embark on a lower bracket run in North America's Stage 2 playoffs to qualify for Ascension 2024 in Monterrey.

Unfortunately, the team was only able to win a single game in Mexico and bowed out at sixth place, leaving sym teamless shortly after TSM temporarily ceased Valorant operations.

Despite re-signing with TSM for its 2025 rebuild, sym would once again leave the team after North America's second Challengers split and briefly returned in 2026 as a stand-in for Winthrop University Winthrop University North America Rank #129 Veyron strongtallguy62 Fair Governor Peter No infiltrator Philip Nguyen this February.

News of sym and Yuno's passings left the North American scene in shock, with many of their friends, former teammates, and organizations sharing their memories of the two.

“From elevating our Academy program to helping us reach Ascension on the main roster, you left your mark,” a post from TSM reads. “You had so much ahead of you, and we'll miss you dearly. May you and Austen rest in peace.”

“I can't believe it. Tyler was one of my best friends,” wrote former teammate Anthony "gMd" Guimond on X. He was a little brother to me. We talked about everything, he'd call me for advice, we both would vent to each other constantly. One of the best kids ever. I wish I could say more right now but the words can't come out. Two young guys gone too soon…To you Austen, you were one of the funniest guys I've ever met. The life of the party. Always making everyone laugh. I love you Austen. I'll miss you. Rest in peace.”