Professional Call of Duty player James ‘Clayster’ Eubanks’ name came up during the CS:GO StarLadder Berlin Major 2019, when Team Liquid pro Keith ‘NAF’ Markovic fell off of the map during a crucial match.
When it comes to Call of Duty esports, there is no one associated more with falling off of the map during competitive matches than Clayster, who’s been the target of many memes about it in the past, some even his own.
In fact, that association has become so well-known, that even top players from other major esports are using his name as a reference, like Team Liquid’s NAF at the Berlin Major.
Liquid and Astralis were locked in a heated battle in the quarterfinal round of the Champions Stage, with Liquid holding a 4-3 edge on the first map Vertigo.
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Unfortunately, during the eighth round, NAF accidentally eliminated himself by flying off of the map, giving Astralis a free advantage which they took to even the score.
Following the round, NAF took to the in-game chat to write one word – “Clayster” – which was enough of an explanation that three Astralis players began to chuckle.
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Naturally, that in-game message was captured and sent to Clayster himself, who could do nothing but laugh at the whole situation: “I’m actually crying.”
lmfaooooooo @NAFFLY i’m actually crying https://t.co/AdYKJSW91r
— eU Clayster (@Clayster) September 6, 2019
Liquid ended up losing the match, but that did not stop NAF from ditching the comedic angle he had taken regarding his inexplicable in-game suicide.
“Good game, well played Astralis. Me falling off the map on Vertigo,” he tweeted, along with a GIF of Clayster doing the ‘peace’ sign with his hand and disappearing.
— eU Clayster (@Clayster) September 6, 2019
Clayster himself later admitted that he was surprised NAF and some of the Astralis players were even aware of how falling off of the map has become his calling card over the years.
Fans did point out on Twitter that both NAF and Astralis’ Magisk had previously stated that if they had to pick another game to compete in, they would choose Call of Duty, which at least clarifies how and why they were aware of the comedic reference.