Overwatch Rookie of the Year Award Named After Alarm

The rookie of the year award for the Overwatch League is now the Alarm Rookie of the Year Award, according to an announcement made during OWL 2022 Opening Weekend on Thursday.

"Kyeong-bo 'Alarm' Kim was an inspiration to many," the Overwatch League's announcement reads, "his impact as a player, teammate, and friend will never be forgotten. To honor his legacy, we are introducing the Alarm Rookie of the Year Award."

What Happened to Alarm?

In November 2021, the Overwatch League community received news from his team, the Philadelphia Fusion, that Alarm had died at the age of 20.

The Philadelphia Fusion did not provide any additional details regarding Alarm's passing.

Alarm first entered the competitive scene during the 2016 Overwatch APEX Season 1, playing with the BK Stars in a main tank role.

He went on to have a successful run in various Overwatch Contenders Seasons as part of Fusion University, the academy team of the Philadelphia Fusion, working his way up the path to pro.

Alarm's Overwatch League debut came in 2020, when he joined the Philadelphia Fusion's main team.

In addition to receiving an MVP nomination, Alarm was crowned the OWL's third-ever Rookie of the Year in his first season as one of the best flex support players in the league.

This season, Alarm's No. 17 can be spotted on the left sleeve of the Fusion's jerseys with a new commemorative patch, as first spotted in a photo posted by Lee "Carpe" Jae-hyeok on Twitter.

"Super appreciative to @sean_mmills and the entire @overwatchleague team for honoring Alarm and his family in this way," T1 CEO Joe Marsh said on Twitter Thursday. "Alarm made a lasting impression on all of us at @Fusion and the Overwatch community at large. We will always miss him dearly and will continue to honor him."