zachary”zekkenPatrone (17) recently started his career as a professional e-sportsman in the online shooter Valorant (PC). Parents are his biggest supporters. They shared how zekken progressed from the Wii in the living room to professional esports.
who is zekken Zekken is an American esports player who currently plays Valorant professionally on Team XSet.
How zekken got into esports:
Dad always pulled boys, didn’t begrudge him a win
This was his entry into the world of video games: In his youth, zekken often played Wii Sports with his father and lost many games. The boy often reacted with frustration to his defeats. Sometimes he even cried, his father said.
However, his father would not let zekken win, stating: “Nobody lets you win in life.” Over time, zekken developed great ambition in the games. Zekken’s father explains this in an interview with the e-sports site. (via dotesports)
His mother also supported the fact that the boy played so much: but only if his school grades were good and he did his homework. His father enjoyed playing with the boy, even when he was consistently losing to him on the Wii.
Zekken initially gambled a lot with friends and his parents: gaming became an activity that strengthened family ties. At first zekken played a lot of CS:GO, on the release day, June 2, 2020, he then got Valorant and was part of the first teams. Ultimately, he managed to get started professionally.
Have you had this checked by consumer protection?
What was it like turning pro? When XSET’s pro contract came along, the mother initially thought it was a scam. At first she couldn’t imagine that her son would be paid for gaming:
My first reaction was: This is a scam. How is anyone supposed to pay you? As a mother you ask yourself that, you know? I am old. I don’t play video games – I said, ‘Have you had consumer protection check this? fake news! That was my first reaction. He was still underage, of course as a mother you want to protect your child.”
Zaida (Zekken’s mother) via dotesports.com
Zekken’s father took a closer look at the contract. The parents’ concerns were finally allayed. The collaboration between XSET and zekken came about.
MamaZekken is now also cheering on her son and the XSET on social media channels:
MamaZekken writes on Twitter
What do the parents say about zekken’s career? Many parents would like to see their children in “stable and secure” jobs. The field of e-sports is often seen as an “unsafe job” and viewed rather critically.
Not so with zekken’s parents. They fully support their son and support his decision.
“We only have this one life. we have to him [zekken] shape his life. I want him to be happy, prosperous, safe and healthy.”
Zaida (Zekken’s mother) via dotesports.com
They accompany zekken at his competitions and support their son. A support that encourages zekken to take off as an e-sportsman, as he stated in the interview.
What does zekken’s Plan B look like? Even if zekken’s e-sports career is going uphill at the moment, the 17-year-old has a plan B.
If esports doesn’t work out, he wants to go to college.
A 15-year-old Fortnite player also had the dream of becoming a professional player. His mother took him out of school because of it. But now he stops.
What do you think of the profession of e-sportsman? Write it to us in the comments