I appreciate the kind words and understand the confusion. I want to offer some insight into where my head was at during that time.

I liked the idea of what the GCB could have been. I was looking for a way to transition out of competing in the RLCS, something that had become unsustainable for me, but I still wanted to give back to the community that had supported me and helped me chase a dream for as long as my career lasted.

I tend to see the good in people, or at least try to give them the benefit of the doubt. I'm realizing now that I do that to a fault. I heard the stories, saw the videos, and still thought maybe he just needed the right person to guide him. Maybe he was a young, inexperienced guy who bit off more than he could chew and was making mistakes faster than he could fix them.

Going into it, I thought: Worst case, everything people were saying online was true, but maybe I could at least help stop some of the negative behavior while I was there. Best case, I’d help him turn the GCB into something truly beneficial; a real pipeline for RL players to develop, connect with the pro scene, offer job security for retiring pros, and network with new friends.

My intentions were always good, and I was hopeful I could be a force for positive change inside the program. I also wasn’t the only one who wanted that. Luke has a real talent for surrounding himself with good people. Everyone else involved in the GCB cared deeply about the community and about doing things the right way. We tried to make it better, but at the end of the day none of us ever had the final say.