Atlanta Reign announced a new member of their Overwatch League team after an elaborate social media troll from the organization had fans confused.
The trickery began early on February 10 when ATL Academy player Dusttin ‘Dogman’ Bowerman announced he was a free agent after parting ways the team.
Fans were confused and upset that Dogman, a popular personality and one of the better players in Overwatch Contenders, was leaving the Atlanta organization.
— Norcetto (@Norcetto) February 10, 2019
Wait…WHAT?!
— The Royal Watch (@RoyalWatchATL) February 10, 2019
Even Blake ‘Gator’ Scott, who signed a two-way contract with Reign after playing with Dogman on the academy team, was in the thread offering his support for his former teammate.
Gl in your future was a fun season hopefully we can meet up one day
— G8R (@Gator_OW) February 10, 2019
Atlanta Reign then released a video explaining the Dogman situation and why he was leaving ATL Academy, saying, “We’ve noticed a lot of concern regarding the Dogman situation and felt it necessary to provide our fans with an appropriate response.”
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“I’ve seen a lot of people complaining on Reddit and Twitter about Dogman leaving the academy team,” started Cas ‘Casores’ van Andel, the Player Development Coach of Atlanta. “I’m just here to say he wasn’t the right fit for the team.”
We’ve noticed a lot of concern regarding the @DogmanOW situation and felt it necessary to provide our fans with an appropriate response.
We firmly believe that Dusttin has a bright future ahead of him.
Thank you for your continued support and understanding. #LetItReign pic.twitter.com/zseIzg8SZg
— Atlanta Reign (@ATLReign) February 10, 2019
The video then took a lighter turn with Casores making fun of Dogman’s name and his bed, before Dogman himself appears.
Dogman left the ATL Academy because he is being promoted to the Atlanta Reign OWL team.
Screenshot from Atlanta Reign’s announcement video.
It was a fast rise for Dogman, who won the Overwatch Contenders Season 2 Trials with LNL, an unsponsored team. He was then picked up by ATL Academy and the team would go on to finish 2nd in Contenders Season 3.
The Atlanta Reign are one of eight expansion teams making their debut in Overwatch League Season 2. The competition will begin on February 14, with Atlanta’s first match taking place against Florida on February 15.