One of the most recognisable faces of the Call of Duty esports scene has called it a day. On October 15, 2026, Kenneth “Kenny” Williams Jr., the 27-year-old American-Filipino player best known for his time with OpTic, announced on X that he is retiring from competitive Call of Duty after an 11-year career.
“Fell out of love” with the game
Kenny was candid about his reasons. He explained that he simply lost his passion for the title and that the game had not brought him happiness for roughly two years. He still gave Modern Warfare 4 a chance before making the final call, but decided he no longer wants to compete. According to Kenny, the decision took a lot of thought, and he wanted to avoid a bad ending to his career.
His focus is now shifting to content creation. He rejoined OpTic as a creator on August 11, 2026, and hosting watch parties has helped him rediscover the fun side of gaming. In the offseason he has also been competing in Apex Legends, including ALGS Open, Pro League qualifiers and the Nations Cup. He says the lifestyle gives him more freedom and more time with his wife, so retiring from CoD does not necessarily mean the end of his esports story.
A career built on two world championships
Kenny made his LAN debut in 2015 at UMG Dallas during the Advanced Warfare era with ROD Squad. His breakthrough came after joining OpTic Gaming Los Angeles in 2020, when he adopted the in-game name “Kuavo”. In 2022 he moved to the LA Thieves and won the CDL Champs alongside Octane, Envoy and Drazah, taking home tournament MVP honours as well.
In July 2023 he returned to OpTic’s Texas roster with Shotzzy, Dashy and Pred, and the squad won the 2024 Call of Duty League Championship, his second world title. In total he collected ten Major victories. His final years were rockier: OpTic Texas removed him from the starting lineup ahead of CDL Major 2 in March 2025, and after stints with Minnesota ROKKR and the LA Thieves, he was released from the Thieves’ starting roster on February 5, 2026, following a top-six finish at Major 1.
The bandana and the “Kyloken” nickname
Beyond trophies, Kenny leaves behind a distinctive persona. His bandana became a signature look, and after switching to the main assault rifle role for the Thieves, fans dubbed him “Kyloken”, a playful nod to Kylo Ren and his turn to the dark side. Kenny says he hopes to be remembered for his smile and for the joy he showed while competing.
What it means for the scene
Kenny’s exit adds to a busy offseason full of roster moves across esports. For fans who follow the competitive side, it is also a reminder of how quickly star players can move on. If you like to back your favourite CoD teams, comparing esports bookmakers before the next season starts is a sensible step, as odds and markets often shift once rosters are locked in.
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