Zachary “zekken” Patrone (17) recently started his career as a professional esports player in the online shooter Valorant (PC). His parents are his biggest supporters. They recounted 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 for Team XSet.
This is how zekken got into esports:
- At the age of 13: zekken participated in a local Super Smash Bros tournament, but was destroyed there.
- At the same time, there was an Overwatch tournament, zekken watched and his interest in esports was sparked.
- Initially, zekken played privately CS:GO.
- He got Valorant on the first day of its release, trained privately with friends, and then went professional.
- His first major success came in early 2021 at the Super League Arena, where he secured first place with the Valorant team Phoenix1.
- Since then, it has been an upward trajectory and zekken has achieved first place multiple times with his teams.
Father always took him down, didn’t let him 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. Often, the boy reacted frustraed to his defeats. Sometimes he even cried, his father recounted.
Nevertheless, his father did not let zekken win, arguing: “In life, no one lets you win.” Over time, a strong ambition to excel in games developed in zekken. This is explained by zekken’s father in an interview with the esports site. (via dotesports)
His mother also supported that the boy played so much: But only if his school grades were right and he completed his homework. His father enjoyed playing with the boy, even after regularly losing to him on the Wii.
Zekken initially played a lot with friends and his parents: Gaming became an activity that strengthened family bonds. Zekken first played a lot of CS:GO, and on the release day, June 2, 2020, he got Valorant and was part of the first teams. Ultimately, he made his professional debut.
Did you get this checked by consumer protection?
What was it like when he became a pro? When the professional contract from XSET arrived, the mother initially thought it was a scam. It was unimaginable to her at first that her son would be paid for gaming:
My first reaction was: This is a scam. How is someone supposed to pay you? As a mother, you wonder about that, you know? I’m old. I don’t play video games – I said: “Did you get this checked by consumer protection? Fake news!” That was my first reaction. He was still a minor, of course, a mother wants to protect her child.
Zaida (zekken’s mother) via dotesports.com
Zekken’s father looked at the contract more closely. The parents’ concerns were ultimately calmed. The collaboration between XSET and zekken came to fruition.
In the meantime, MamaZekken supports her son and XSET on social media as well:
What do the parents say about zekken’s career? Many parents would like to see their children in “stable and secure” professions. The esports field is often seen as an “uncertain job” and is viewed critically.
Not so with zekken’s parents. They fully support their son and advocate for his decision.
“We only have this one life. We have to let him [zekken] shape his life. I want him to be happy, successful, secure, 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 make a breakthrough as an esports player, as he stated in the interview.
What is zekken’s plan B? Even though the esports career is currently on the rise for zekken, the 17-year-old has a plan B.
If it doesn’t work out with esports, he wants to go to college.
Also, a 15-year-old Fortnite player had dreams of being a professional player. His mother took him out of school for that. Now, however, he is quitting.
What do you think about the profession of esports player? Feel free to let us know in the comments.
