Steel’s signing to 100Thieves reignites match fixing controversy

After hitting the bench for Chaos EC’s Counter-Strike team on September 2nd, Steel was quick to make his next move. Just a few short days later, Steel is now repping the red and black with 100Thieves’ Valorant squad alongside Spencer “Hiko” Martin and Nicholas “nitr0” Canella

In stark comparison to 100Thieves' first jab at a competitive Valorant roster, the current trio are all seasoned FPS veterans and know each other very well. After all, they are all OG Global Offensive players. Hiko, nitr0, and Steel have all had their fair share of scrimming with (and against) one another

We can't exactly say that a move to Valorant was unexpected by any stretch. Since beta release, Steel has been streaming competitive Valorant content to his Twitch livestream under the guise of a "professional content creator"

Here are some highlights from Steel's first attempt at Valorant:

Baggage made of steel

While the story is widely regarded as a huge success and turning point for Steel's career, the official foray into new territory was enough to reignite the discussion around his complicated past revolving around competitive integrity

The match fixing controversy is an ugly truth that Steel will have to carry around for the rest of his life. Back in 2014, Steel received a lifetime major ban from competitive Counter-Strike events after conspiring to match fix for monetary compensation

Caught in the crossfire included Braxton "Brax" Pierce and Keven "AZK" Lariviere, two iBuyPower teammates who also engaged in the match fixing. Both players are now signed to T1's Valorant roster and look to find three more to round out the team - with the help of coach Daniel "fRoD" Montaner no less

Steel addresses his plan to move on from the match fixing situation in a 28 minute interview with ESPN. Skip to 6:18 for that specific portion

"All these different changes in my life have definitely shaped me up to who I am and I think it's been in a good way. I don't know whether or not I'd be where I am today in terms of personal maturity - or outlook - or how I see life had I not been punished for my actions," Steel told ESPN

Are there still people who hate Steel for his actions? Surely. But an emerging title like Valorant is strife with new opportunities for fallen players from other story lines... plus a lifetime ban from Counter-Strike is kind of a long time to wait around twiddling your thumbs and letting your passion fall from beneath

From a talent standpoint, 100Thieves' newest pickup was nothing short of godly. This could be Steel's big comeback story - both to competitive FPS shooters and character building