A Gamer’s Secret Life and Tragic Death

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Published 2019-06-19

To his mother, David Hance was a shy, nerdy Puerto Rican kid from the Bronx who had an unhealthy obsession with video games. To everyone else, he was Allied—a world-class esports champion, whose boisterous live-streams garnered thousands of views. For years, Hance navigated these disparate identities with ease. But then, at age 24, he was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer. Read more: www.theatlantic.com/video/index/591907/allied-game…

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All Comments (21)

@TheAtlantic 5 years ago

Online gaming is more than just a hobby. For some, it's a social scene, an elite sport, a high-paying job, and an obsession. Watch more videos on the world of gaming here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QUcr5nZcQLU&list=PLDamP-pfOskNz2FjZuKbHv6cuNSlJYnBU
@icecreambone 5 years ago

he wasn't an introvert. he just needed to find people who would accept him
@rincam5 5 years ago

"he was good at everything he played" "allied youre actual garbage" thats real friendship
@flich3598 5 years ago

Not gonna lie if this were my mum she would say the gaming gave me cancer
@maryalvarez8358 5 years ago

The tweet “ I’m so scared haha “ Broke my heart 😢 RIP 🙏💗
@mrhenry4907 5 years ago

I don't know this guy but I'm sitting here watching and it hurts inside
@darianf 5 years ago

Enough about the mother, look at the positivity and understanding the sister had for who he was.
@prolo6309 5 years ago

Rest in peace, David. I have never heard of you previously but this story just broke my heart.
@kwcbomb 5 years ago

I like the news people saying "so they get paid to sit there and play video games." They get paid to sit there and read a teleprompter for six figures... whos complaining again?
@jacobside2656 5 years ago

That's the problem just because you don't understand it doesn't mean it's not a valid job. It's an entertainment job.
@kierramos1315 5 years ago

His mom is so fixated on her own idea on how he should live his life, to the point that she missed 90% of her sons life, only to find out that she wasn’t there the whole time. To all parents out there, appreciate and accept the uniqueness of people for what they are, instead of forcing your ideologies on how they should be, specially with your sons and daughters.
@KaptenShambles 5 years ago

* I'm gonna drive, to every hospital, until i find him! * That right there. is true friendship
@ggfoxer5382 5 years ago

Davids Mom: "My david is a shy introvert.. Allied is a louder than life personality. I was concerned" WHY?!?!?!?!?!?
@Nadia72639 5 years ago

"It's a lot of people sitting there watching other people play video games" It's like, why do people sit and watch other people play football? Play in the olympics? It's entertaining, especially when you get to watch the most talented people play their sport
@jazzyjenkins 5 years ago

Grandmas main concern was him not eating, lol. Got to love grandmas
@connorwilson8450 5 years ago

I feel sorry for the mother. Even after his death, she still cannot accept her son for who he was. Pitiful.
@Kerzun 5 years ago

Community raises 150 thousand dollars...mom and sister "it almost felt invasive all these people knowing(Caring) whats going on"
@meownug5193 5 years ago

Headsets off and a moment of silence for our fallen gamer. May you respawn in heaven
@DaequanLoco 5 years ago

We love you Allied
@logictinker 5 years ago

You assumed the worst that he might got his girlfriend pregnant, that much you don't know your son ,, it might be the reason he didn't hangout with you THE family, yet when he finds friends that can call family you have the audacity to forbid even him from seeing each other !! There's an old saying where im from "when god takes a young soul it means he loves them too much" may you rest in peace brother such a pure soul ❤️