Source: Bernard Smalls / @BeanzGotGamez
Jay “Sinatraa” Won, who was dubbed the “LeBron James” of the Overwatch League and is now a pro Valorant player, is back after being suspended following being accused of sexual assault.
Sinatraa took to Twitter to announce his return to competitive play on Tuesday (Apr.12). In a tweet, the former Overwatch League MVP wrote, “It’s been a year since I was forced to step back from competitive play. In that time, I have learned a lot about myself and grown as a person. I am now ready for a return to competitive play and will be starting tryouts this week.”
It’s been a year since I was forced to step back from competitive play. In that time, I have learned a lot about myself and grown as a person. I am now ready for a return to competitive play and will be starting tryouts this week.
— Jay Won (@sinatraa) April 12, 2022
Last year, the famous e-sports star got his controller clipped by his Valorant team, the Sentinals, who slapped him with a six-month suspension due to sexual assault allegations and failure to cooperate with the investigation. Sinatraa is currently a free agent but expressed his desire to return to the Los Angeles Sentinals, and it’s looking like that will be the case. According to Dot Esports and Upcomer, Sinatraa could replace Jared “zombs” Gitlin, who has been noticeably absent from Sentinals.
*Trigger warning*
Sinatraa was accused by his ex-girlfriend of sexual assault a year ago. She details the abuse she endured during their nine-month-long relationship. She even shared an audio file of Sinatraa continuing to have sex with her despite telling him no multiple times. The Sentinals acted swiftly, suspending him after the news broke in March 2021. Two months later Riot Games suspended him for six months after conducting its own investigation for “failing to fully cooperate.”
The news of his return was met with some excitement from NRG pro streamers Flexinja and hazed. That’s where the love ends because many are not happy about his return as the allegations still hover over his head.
“sinatraa‘s entire situation makes me so sick. the amount of PUBLIC SUPPORT ppl in the valorant scene have shown him is disgusting. ppl acted like unless they see a full video of cleo’s sa, she’s lying. as if she didn’t say pursuing the investigation was making her suicidal,” one Twitter user wrote.
sinatraa's entire situation makes me so sick. the amount of PUBLIC SUPPORT ppl in the valorant scene have shown him is disgusting. ppl acted like unless they see a full video of cleo's sa, she's lying. as if she didn't say pursuing the investigation was making her suicidal.
— tala (@epitomestv) April 12, 2022
She’s not alone. You can peep more reactions to Sinatraa’s return in the gallery below.
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Photo: Bernard Smalls / @BeanzGotGamez
1. Wild
Insane community over at valorant to see an audio where consent is revoked but sinatraa says “Im close” and he’s allowed to ever tryout for the pro scene and even getting hyped up by other pros.
— mattmerc (@MattMercOW) April 12, 2022
2. Unbelievable
Sinatraa says he was “forced step back” from competitive play. When in reality he was suspended for not fully cooperating with Riot’s investigation. Yet people still believe he did nothing wrong, appalling how he is being welcomed back in the scene like nothing ever happened.
— Max Katz (@purest) April 12, 2022
3.
i cannot believe there are people supporting sinatraa after everything that has happened. y’all showing your whole asses on the timeline
— eldritch mommy ✵ (@sairaspooks) April 13, 2022
4.
If you support Sinatraa and his potential return to the competitive scene, please unfollow me. It's bad enough that he's casually welcomed in the community as a streamer and ranked player.
— akaAura
(@Aurathon_) April 12, 2022
5.
a frustrating thing about this sinatraa "comeback" is how many people are clamoring to forgive him. why do you feel like it is your place to forgive?
the language and timing of it all feels so finely crafted towards the legion of fans who think of him as the victim. just gross.
— Kien Lam (@MeanMisterKien) April 12, 2022
6.
When Riot Games issued Sinatraa a 6 month suspension for failure to comply with the investigation for the sexual assault allegations it was quite literally only a matter of time for him to return to competing
It is now up to Esports teams to make their own choice on this matter
— Jake Lucky (@JakeSucky) April 12, 2022
7.
9 months ago I made a comment on Nostalgiawatch stating I was discrediting sinatraa and dafran from the video. Every person defending him is a man making up excuses for another man because they have good aim, which is essentially continuing the cycle of rape culture in esports https://t.co/6nrl610okR pic.twitter.com/SQ2LtnEwA5
— stefayylmao (@stefayylmao1) April 12, 2022
8.
This sinatraa situation makes me depressed, but I’m not surprised. Idk if anyone remembers his comeback stream, but so many professional Valorant players and some prominent women content creators (who promote a safe community) were subbing to him and welcoming him back.
— DazedDreams (@DazedDreamx) April 13, 2022
9.
Esports will never be safe for women. The amount of people who still support sinatraa is unreal.
— Haley | LIVE
(@nyxlsecret) April 12, 2022
10.
A guy like Colin Kaepernick can kneel during the national anthem and hasn't played in years vs. MULTIPLE stars being accused of sexual assault and abuse maintaining legendary status in the NFL.
This trickles down into esports culture, its prob why ppl are fine with sinatraa.
— Chris "Boop" Lessard (@Boopasaurusrex) April 12, 2022