The former Overwatch pro Daniel “Dafran” Francesca has given up his career in gaming and streaming on Twitch and has found his calling as a farmer. He apparently had this in mind for quite some time. A post on Instagram reveals that he is pursuing his dream and is already working as an intern.
Who is Dafran? The former eSports professional is best known from his time in Overwatch. He played in the Overwatch League for the Atlanta Reign team and was regarded, similar to xQc, as one of the players with the best mechanical skill, but also as a hothead.
Dafran ended his Overwatch career, to prefer streaming on Twitch and chilling. The life of a pro did not seem appealing to him, and he preferred to entertain his community.
However, Dafran returned to eSports in the new shooter Valorant. After he messed up a tournament and flipped out, he received a lifetime ban from the tournaments.
His reaction to this was another hate tirade, which eventually got him banned on Twitch. Dafran simply said: “It was worth it.”
He seemed not to be particularly satisfied with his life and announced in June 2020 that he no longer wanted to be a full-time streamer. He preferred to grow fruits and vegetables (via TwitLonger).
From Overwatch Pro to Farmer
This is how Dafran is doing now: In a post by the Danish organic farmer Økotopen on Instagram, Dafran is seen wearing a black shirt from the company and gardening gloves while pushing a wheelbarrow full of soil. He looks quite satisfied.
The accompanying text states that Dafran currently shows up at the farm several times a week and is currently working as an intern there. He wants to earn a living by growing organic vegetables.
He himself says: “It is simply wonderful to be able to go outside every day.” Although he is not yet a farmer, his employer is confident that he will reach his goal.
Not an isolated case: Dafran is not the first and only e-sports athlete to step back from his profession and return to nature. The Swede Simon “snillo” Ekström took a break from the Overwatch League in March, to collect mushrooms together with his grandmother in the forest.
Apparently, working in nature is a good balance to the rather stressful daily life of a pro gamer.
