TL;DR
- Wolf retires after 8-year career citing mental health challenges including depression and panic disorders
- The former T1 support won two World Championships during his five-year tenure with the legendary organization
- Mental health symptoms began in 2017 and worsened despite career success and regional transition
- Physical manifestations included vomiting before and after matches regardless of performance outcomes
- Future plans include streaming, potential coaching/casting roles, and opening a Korean PC bang
Lee “Wolf” Jae-wa, the celebrated League of Legends support specialist, has officially concluded his competitive gaming career spanning eight remarkable years.
The retirement confirmation emerged through Wolf’s social media channels shortly following Inven Global’s revealing interview publication. He disclosed ongoing battles with multiple mental health conditions that ultimately made professional play unsustainable.
During the candid discussion, Wolf detailed how various psychological health issues significantly affected his competitive performance. Medical professionals diagnosed him with clinical depression alongside adjustment disorder, anxiety condition, and panic attacks back in 2017 while competing under SK Telecom T1 (currently T1). However, the foundation of these struggles predated even that difficult period.
“Every competitive session triggered intense nausea, though I initially attributed this to standard pre-match nerves. The situation deteriorated substantially during 2017. Match outcomes became irrelevant—victory or defeat alike prompted immediate post-game vomiting episodes,” Wolf revealed. “Retirement driven by skill deterioration would feel more acceptable, but acknowledging health limitations creates profound disappointment. Prioritizing wellness has become unavoidable.”
Legendary Support’s Championship Journey and Regional Transition
Despite these overwhelming challenges, Wolf constructed an extraordinary competitive legacy. Throughout his five-season tenure with T1, he secured multiple premier tournament victories and contributed crucially to the organization’s two World Championship conquests.
The 2018 season marked a significant health deterioration. Minor stressors could trigger full panic episodes, creating a counterproductive cycle where improvement efforts intensified suffering. Following an unstable competitive period, he relocated to Turkey’s TCL league, hoping environmental change might alleviate competitive pressure and symptom severity.
His SuperMassive Esports roster achieved second position in the 2019 Turkish Championship League standings, though this placement fell short of Worlds qualification. Ultimately, the geographical shift provided minimal mental health improvement, leading to his professional career conclusion.
Wolf emphasized his desire to continue competing, but persistent panic attacks necessitated immediate cessation. However, this departure doesn’t represent his final industry presence.
The retired professional indicated he’ll concentrate on streaming activities while considering potential transitions into analytical, coaching, or commentary positions. He additionally proposed establishing his own Korean PC gaming establishment, reflecting a common post-career transition for retired professionals.
Professional esports imposes unique psychological demands that many organizations still underestimate. The 24/7 training schedules, constant public scrutiny, and performance pressure create perfect conditions for mental health deterioration among competitors.
Common missteps include ignoring early warning signs, self-medicating rather than seeking professional help, and believing performance success indicates mental wellness. Many players mistakenly assume championship victories negate underlying psychological struggles.
Optimal approaches involve establishing preemptive mental wellness programs, creating supportive team environments, and normalizing psychological health discussions within competitive gaming cultures.
Action Checklist
- Monitor physical symptoms like nausea, trembling, or panic episodes during competitive sessions
- Establish regular mental health check-ins with qualified professionals
- Create performance pressure management strategies including breathing techniques and pre-game routines
- Develop post-career transition plans exploring streaming, coaching, or business opportunities
- Build supportive gaming community connections to reduce isolation and stigma
No reproduction without permission：Games Guides Website » Former SKT support Wolf retires, discusses mental health issues Former T1 champion Wolf retires due to mental health struggles, shares career journey and future plans