Announcing the Kai Budde Player of the Year Trophy

At the conclusion of Day 2 of Pro Tour Modern Horizon 3, there was a special announcement from Director of Play Programs Billy Jensen concerning the health of Kai Budde and the news that Wizards is officially renaming the annually awarded Player of the Year trophy to recognize Kai Budde.
#MTG #MagicTheGathering #KaiBudde

[@Icewaterwill252]

This is the exact reason we appreciate great people while they still live. You let them know how much they mean BEFORE they’re gone and then never forget them after

[@canman87]

This is bar-none the best decision WotC has made in years. Kai is an icon and deserves every bit of this level of recognition. For many years, I used my three favorite players' pro player cards as my tokens and alongside both John Finkel and Antoine Ruel... was of course, Kai Budde. All my best to you, Kai. This game would be much worse off without your legacy and contributions to it over the years. However dire the situation may be, I'll still hold out for your ability to overcome and recover. Shoutout to Huey as well. You can tell how difficult it was to deliver this presentation about an obviously close friend of his, but he powered through and got it done. Nice work, sir.

[@Sylpharos]

Absolutely devastating news to hear. As an all time great I can't think of a better way to honor his legacy and everything he has done for the game. Thanks for the memories Kai.

[@wraith_youtube]

I can think of a way so much better and so simple it it kind of ridiculous it had not been taken: Instead of "The Kai Budde Player of the Year Trophy", it should have been just "The Kai Budde Trophy". By adding the "player of the year", Wizards are basically implying that Kaid Budde is not famous enough for players to know what his namesake trophy means. It's like calling The Stanley Cup "The Stanley National Hockey League Champions' Cup". What a stupid and disrespectful name. (Btw, someone at Wizards had to actively screw this up, because the name that comes up naturally is obviously just "The Kai Budde Trophy".)

[@alexanderficken9354]

@@wraith_youtube L take, you're kinda dumping on the fact that they did this at all

[@trysephiroth007]

@@wraith_youtube Did you know when they first made the Stanley Cup they did the same thing? People wouldn't have known what it was for if it was always only known as "The Stanley Cup"

[@multeyemeteor]

This news snapped me in half. All the best to Budde and his family, and much respect for his tremendous achievements, his great personality, and all the work he put into competitive Magic.

[@battle_on]

Reid Duke crying broke me😢

[@guillermoromero8041]

Immediately made me lol when I saw that at the end of the video

[@fcliverpool6167]

@@guillermoromero8041??? Might need to see a therapist.

[@NMerriott80]

Same...

[@maxfitzer7235]

This was hard to hear. All the best to Kai and his family. Great job by huey honoring him and his accomplishments.

[@chrisso2621]

After being into the hobby for like 2 years, I bumped into him in a hobby-store ("Magic-Treff") in Hamburg, where I lived back then. There was a T2-torunament going on, but a friend and me just weren't "allowed" to attend by the other and way older players, so we just sat there playing our highlander-decks. He approached us and asked, if he could join us. I asked him, if he's not here for the tournament, but he replied that he just wants to play Magic and he's not in a mood for the competetive set-up. And so we played Magic for 4 hours straight. He's such a humble and polite person and I wish him all the best. Thanks for our match more than 25 years ago.

[@MCKejml]

Holy shit, wow.

[@collinbeal]

My earnest blessings to this enshrining of a great player's legacy. Here's to hoping that it gives Kai some small solace in the harrowing tribulations he must face, knowing that his memory will live on not just in the hearts and minds of his loved ones and those he has inspired, but also in honor each year as this trophy is awarded to those aspiring to his prowess. My condolences to him and his family. Aufwiedersehen, Herr Budde.

[@zang1983]

Devastating news, so sad to hear. But a beautiful tribute.

[@Coalgolem]

I am two years older than Kai and have also played Magic since the mid if the 90ies up until mid 00s, so for the most part of my Magic phase Kai was always present as the GOAT of the game, and everybody in these days wanted to follow in his footsteps. The highlight of my (very unsignificant) Magic career was to be able to participate at the German Nationals in Würzburg where you could learn how to Rochester Draft by observing what he picked. Back in the days of IRC we also chatted a lot, and we used to lovingly call him "Karl Bulle", a nickname less known than The German Juggernaut, but but no less important for that quirky IRC crowd back then. I always rooted for him in all those big tournaments, and it was a joy to watch him on stream winning game after game. what-a-player, one-of-a-kind!

[@ma5ticore]

I started playing MtG in around 2000. And although I didn't have internet at home, I didn't play competitive Magic at all, I'd been to my LGS only twice or so, by the time I stopped playing in 2004 I somehow knew the name of Kai Budde and how great he was at the game. Sad news and a beautiful tribute for the greatest player in the history of the game 💔

[@mikemirtle]

Watching Kai during his legendary run was magical, and a big part of my early Magic days. Tough news to hear. My sincere condolences to everyone close to Kai.

[@mrjoe209]

What happened to him? Is he ok?

[@cryoclasm]

​@@mrjoe209please watch the video

[@TheRengarde]

@@mrjoe209he has cancer, and it has turned terminal

[@thatperson3485]

A fitting tribute to a great man.

[@Domekarl]

alles gute Kai, ich hoffe es gibt Hoffnung für dich und du kannst den Kampf vielleicht noch gewinnen

[@Giby86]

I remember I began playing the game around 2000, when coverage of events was basically nowhere to be found and the internet wasn't the fast food of information it is today. And yet, Kai Budde was the one name that I learned, almost at the same time as learning that "Magic pro" was even a thing. This is right.

[@SnazzyGoodTimes]

You gotta tell the people you love that you love them while you can. Great that Kai got to feel the love in person ❤

[@moe3120]

Very sad news to hear, very fitting tribute and I hope he is at peace everyday

[@SneoK]

You can see what influence he still has, when the entire live chat was in awe. I doubt a lot of people were around in his prime and yet his name is known over generations. Lets cherish that man, that legacy in the best possible ways. After all its not time yet, there is still some left.

[@nacktundrosa]

Being the only German podcast to ever have him in a very long and great interview is more surreal than ever after this news. When I heard the news and started thinking about what a great privilege we had through this interview to be able to talk to this great person and what it may now leave me looking back on, it makes me deeply sad and proud at the same time. We were able to talk to an absolute legend and a great person. Indescribable and hard to comprehend. Kai, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for giving us this interview and we wish you all the strength in the world for everything that lies ahead. You are a great and special person for more than just the Magic community, we hope you know that.

[@ThaMobstarr]

Thanks for notifying us about it! I'll definitely look into that podcast episode (also German here). I see that you stopped the podcast? Either way cheers to you for getting that podcast happen!

[@davidgatheral792]

Kai Budde is a beautiful person. He seemed like a god to us in the late nineties and early noughties but he was always so grounded. I have never met Kai Budde in person but I saw him once at a Grand Prix in the UK. I was looking over at him and he looked up, nodded and smiled. That was enough for me. I've always greatly admired him and just that brief connection was tremendous.

[@altered_beast_of_burden]

Jensen and Duke are some of the most inspirational players in their own right and some of the most stand up dudes in the history of the game. These guys are best friends and have shared many years together and I felt the raw emotion from the Peach Garden Oath. Kai is arguably the best player of all time. He understood the game on a level that most people won't ever reach, but always shared his knowledge with others and taught Magic and spread kindness to each he encountered. Love you all and thank you for what you represent in this game and in life. Kai I hope you keep taking extra turns dude and kick cancer's ass!

[@Trivedi_Tuesdays]

44 is much too soon. We’ll miss you Kai, a juggernaut in every way 🙏

[@Jaheira30]

He is stil alive. He will be fighting!

[@JalebJay]

Winning a ptq on Sunday means we'll get to see him play again next pt

[@MortenWinteroe]

Good that this was done for Kai, and in good time for Kai to participate in the announcement - timing as good as Kai.

[@explorerzz]

Devastating news and a fitting tribute. Seeing Reid Duke at the end was also heartbreaking. 😢

[@Rufusp2k3]

Seeing Reid Duke in tears BROKE me. 😭

[@andreasmueller337]

I'm sitting here and crying. Such a great sign of Love ❤❤❤

[@angelo5390]

A beautiful tribute and honor to one of the most influential, prominent, and skilled players of all time. Super deserved and went to a wonderful human being

[@blinkydgenius2445]

I can’t stop crying man! This freaking sucks. I started playing Magic back in 2004 and I remember hearing legendary stories about Kai Budde and Jon Finkel and both of them have been my inspiration to play and love this game. So to hear this hard breaking news has really messed me up. Praying for Kai and his family. 🙏❤️

[@s.shadowwe3012]

Always keeping Voidmage Prodigy in memory in my decks

[@KAR1492]

There isn't a person who has dipped their toes into competitive Magic in the last two decades that hasn't looked up to Kai at some point or another. I know it's unlikely, but I hope for a miracle for him. This game wouldn't be the same if he never existed. Love to all of his friends and family., and kudos to Wizards for eternalizing him like this while he's still here to see how loved he is.

[@apeekintime]

I mean.. yeah there are. Kai was irrelevant for a long time but then came back to the game to use his HOF benefits. Then the game tried going all digital and that raised a new type of pro player - the young video game grinding machines - something he wasn't. None of this is to diminish Kai - I'm just saying he wasn't known to many people who played for certain periods of time. It's hard to remember that his tear on the pro circuit was 20 years ago. He dominated the pro tour and GP circuit from 2000-2004. He came back for a few events after but he was much more sporadic from 2004-2011 and very sporadic from 2011-current.

[@KAR1492]

@@apeekintime I feel like people who played at those times would of been aware of an inspired by his previous accomplishments even still

[@TheAusil]

Got the same reaction Reid duke has at the end of the video. Heartbreaking news but a beautiful and deserved tribute to MTG Goat of ALL TIME.

[@kerolokerokerolo]

Goat already includes "of all time" ..

[@Demoncron]

His Wildfire deck from 99 inspired me. I followed him since then. It’s so sad to hear this 😞

[@mrjoe209]

Hear what?

[@hermodnitter3902]

Same! Tought me that City of Traitors is broken and not garbage (as I thought at the time)...

[@hermanvanbiesen]

@@mrjoe209 Maybe watch the video? Kai is dying from cancer...

[@stefanoriva1738]

A the end/beginning of the century we (nerds) all wanted to be Kai Budde! The German Juggernaut!

[@pedropohren]

For the reference to be perfect, the only thing remaining is for the artwork for Voidmage Prodigy to be marked on every PotY trophy from now on. May your final years be blessed, Juggernaut. As much as you've blessed us for seeing you play.

[@TheVnholy]

life passes by fast i remember trying to trade for covetous dragons like it was yesterday

[@noisepollution4473]

Thank you guys for showing this love to a player while they're around to appreciate it. Much love to Kai, I hope things go as well as they can for you and your family.

[@Colision90]

Kai Budde, you're the most awe inspiring MTG player, a lot of us can't even conceive reaching your level of commitment to the game and hard work to achieve your amazing accomplisments. I wish you the best, and know that you're very beloved in this community. Everything was so beautifully said by Huey, it's a shame it wasn't under better circumstances 😢

[@sachagiger7408]

the 🐐 of mtg. Hope you can recover and still play many more years ❤

[@The1oneRealGamer]

I'm literally in 😢 tears right now. I pray he'll get better. He's one of child heroes. A truly gifted card slinger. I'm at a loss for words... prayers to Kai

[@TemjinZero]

I grew up reading Scrye and TopDeck magazines covering Kai's tournament accomplishments. I remember my friends and i spending days, weeks, just dissecting becoming better magic players from watching them on coverage or whatever articles were available. Even though I'm no where close to Kai's ability as a magic player, he was always the goal. Countless hours tweaking decks, learning how metagames worked from not even knowing what a metagame meant, Kai definitely embodied someone to aspire to as a kid. Play Magic, see the world. Kai was doing it, and he made others want to be able to do it too.

[@salbaca1104]

For me i played competitive magic many years ago during lowyn and when my LGS at the time moved to LA due to a promotion of the owners husband and other factors i left the game behind as the king of goblins in my area then one day i had a friend who was getting ready for a gp in LA and he asked me about my view of the game and i told him let me show you and dusted off the relic of the past and won 10 matches in a row using tricks to leverage combat in my favor while he opted to play my deck and was 1 win off of day 2 anyway fast forward to rivals and my cousin who her and her boyfriend was getting into magic i started to return to the game through FNM with my old friends of long ago and now i play commander but i have since returning to the game followed the pro tour and Kai's matches and now will watch the old ones thanks for the memories of this legend and maybe i will now at a different point of my own life at now 37 as of this past june 15th return to competitive magic as time is short as my own recent health issues have shown

[@joe.5103]

Thanks for helping to make the competitive scene as awesome as it was and what it is today. Truly legendary.

[@Morte_n]

I played against him once in Hamburg when I stilled lived in Schleswig-Holstein. He was a really plesant dude and I had fun! My only issue is, I don't remember much. Only he played Merfolk and I played Dragon Stompy, we played a draw and I really needed to go to the bathroom, like really bad! Which is why I couldn't focus on anything else. After the game (and my bathroom visit) had happened I kind of realized against who I've just played. Drawing against him in a Legacy tournament will maybe forever be my biggest high I've archived playerwise in tournament Magic.

[@JBeleren]

Hunga bist du es?

[@Morte_n]

@@JBeleren man munkelt?

[@HernanGnesutta]

Tengo 46! Empece a jugar Magic en Tempest. En Argentina no habia casi juego competitivo en esa epoca, me acuerdo tiempo de spues de haber escuchado y visto en revistas los mazos de Kai y siempre me fijaba que jugaba el para tratar de armar ese mismo mazo! Mucho tiempo despues aprendi que el metagame era otra cosa, pero siempre senti una admiracion por un jugador como el. Tremenda noticia! Aguante KAI!!!!!!

[@overlordgames1394]

He inspired me to start playing magic...I'm so sad. This Legend of Magic Kai Budde, changed my life.

[@williamoscar1234]

Was at work when a friend of mine came in and said, "did you hear about Kai" I immediately said "please don't tell me he has cancer" when he told me it was so and that it was terminal, I just stopped what I was doing. Being a lifelong magic player watching Kai and Jon bring the game to the mainstream. Every sport/game has those rivalry that bring it to the forefront. Golf it was Nicholas vs. Palmer, basketball it was Johnson vs. Bird. For the MTG world, it was Kai vs. Jon. We have been blessed to have a legend among us, let us all give thanks to man who through his domination put Magic in the spotlight.

[@zersockpuppet]

I remember walking into my local game store in London and asking for some powerful decks to play. I was handed Kai's winning 1999 World championship deck. It quickly became my favorite deck of all time and it formed my love for this game. Thank you Kai for forming such a big part of my childhood.

[@anikolaidis]

I haven't played Magic in over 10 years.. but being a Magic player since 1998 and having followed and idolized Kai during his prime time, this was devastating to hear... Kai stay strong,.. wish you all the best

[@mulvinarowe332]

He is such a legend, what a brilliant tribute. You can hear it in Hueys voice and see it in every face in that room how devastating this is. Much Love Kai!

[@luiggifiorucci]

The absolute best player in history. This hommage is completely justified to the great legacy of Budde. It is hard for all of us, who have been playing MTG for the last 30 years, even in a lesser level, but followed the carrer of the legends that pleyed with him, understanding at the moment that it was just natural for him to have won again. My respect and full admiration to the master Kai Budde.

[@pwoo581]

No one deserves this honor more. A true legend and so sorry to hear the news and hope that something turns around with your treatment

[@RoseGoldenPetal]

#ThankYouKai I hope this gives you some solace and comfort you are a amazing individual and you brought so much good to the game

[@im2kul74]

I just found out about this. I thought naming Kai Budde Player of the Year was to honour him like Hall of Famer but didn't know it was for an entire reason to remember him while he has limited time and while he is still so young. This is heartbroken as it remind me of my friend who also was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer when he was only 38. Life sucks at times really. Kai Budde is one of the reason that I still continue to play M:TG after all these years.

[@aznsensation44]

Kai is the GOAT.. the news is sad to hear, but at least his legacy will live on in the award. well deserved

[@jsilverable]

I have the same age, been playing the same time, not with the same success but I i played against and with Kai few times. Even won some. Kai is a legend, always friendly. I'm devastated, so sad. I send you all my best memories.

[@Mitch_Feral]

A legend in his own time. Wishing him and his loved ones as much comfort and ease as can be found.

[@jackpabich763]

Thanks for everything, Kai! Prayers up for a full recovery! Thanks for all you’ve done for this community

[@soup8786]

I think from what I understand that's no longer possible.

[@kritikverloren1814]

Now, one day after the tears had dried and the shock and I had while watching this sad story: imagine you got honored officially while at the same time somebody is announcing that you will die in the near future..... honestly, I understand what Billy Jensen was trying to achieve here and we all see that he is real struggling with. But I do have real difficulties with such a justification, because it s disrespectful. (Even if this wasn't his intention for sure) - Kai is a true living legend. His successful journey over almost 3 decades we all saw, his outstanding gameplay and tons of achievements is extraordinary and should be reason enough to honor him. Kai, ich wünsch Dir von Herzen alles alles Gute und Frieden. Vor allem Frieden.

[@tianruixiao9239]

A legend of the game, I haven't watched him in his prime, but his accomplishments speak for themselves. You'll be missed Kai.

[@polhusay]

Deserving tribute ❤️‍🔥

[@Itachi45481]

An all time champion he’s the only player I have heard of more then once and looking into him I can see why many love him

[@gianlucabevere9478]

Kai, you have always been the best. Sincere love from a forever admirer.

[@nerdobject5351]

As someone who watched a lot of Kai’s runs back in the 2000s you would think he had a bad Grand Prix if he didn’t win it and a bad Pro Tour if he did Top 8 it. Its crushing to hear. I wish Kai all the best.

[@HanDaimond]

Sad news to hear about his condition, but at least he got honored to be remembered as one of the most important awards in Magic. Thank you Kai Budde, you're a legend.

[@douglas2437]

Kai Budde is just one of the biggest and most important names in the history of magic, and such a legend who will be so missed it hurts.

[@rodrigorojop]

I don't know why i'm crying this way, but this is both a heart breaking moment and the best tribute to be given in life to someone that deeply connected to the game.

[@raulsantos1926]

I cried seeing this live and I was here crying again, Kai was an inspiration, the German Juggernaut will be in all our memories but more importantly in the history of this game, hope the best for him and his family

[@Medicinalmagic911]

I named my son Kai after this great player. 🎉 Kai I wish you luck and peace.

[@doormatt72]

This was very nice. It’s all very sad and hard to hear, but I’m glad for this nice tribute. Kai is great and always will be.

[@Zanji1234]

I'm not big into magic i started playing yugioh but even I knew Kai Budde from all the reports in German TCG magazines like Kartefakt and heck even the magazines for kids like Cardcollector and so. It was cool to read that a German player was so good at the game and won so many pro tours.

[@danielhall1716]

Legendary. Kai will Always will be my pinnacle definition of magic skill. Cheers to you 🍻❤️ What an honor ❤️ well deserved

[@carlagraca2729]

Kai Budde is a legend, bar none. He's an amazing person and a sweet, sweet guy! Best of wishes to you, eternal Juggernaut

[@seedlesstom]

Feels good to see someone get their much deserved flowers while they're still with us. Too often it doesn't happen until they're gone. Well done, Wizards.

[@apeekintime]

One of the few good decisions from WOTC over the past 5-10 years. Kai's run seemed illegal at the time. No one person should be allowed to be that dominate at a game involving some level of chance. Formats were solvable, but creativity was still rewarded. Those who came with the best understanding of a format had a very large advantage. Kai was the equivalent of a chess Super GM. He was always thinking of the lines of play and how his opponent should respond. Chess has zero chance component, magic has a randomized deck. The number of possibilities in each game is countless, even compared to chess. Kai was(is) and expert at narrowing down the number of possible lines based on opponents play to a manageable set. What I'm saying is he also brought he ability to read his opponents play patterns and combine that with his format knowledge to know where the advantage lies. He was someone who always understood who's the beatdown. Maybe the biggest difference between peak Jon and peak Kai was thinking with your head and thinking with your heart. Jon seemed to have the ability to read your hand but Kai read your soul. He knew now just what you wanted to do but how you wanted to do it. Hard to beat someone who knows what you're going to play before you do.

[@joaofazenda8038]

Devastated by listening to this... You were the best kai! Thanks for the memories and cant say anything more 😢

[@markjost4504]

Hi Kai, tut mir leid das zu hören. Ich wünsche dir nur das Beste. Danke, dass ich neben dir sitzen durfte, als du Teamweltmeister wurdest. Und das du mich während dem Draft geweckt hast. LG Mark

[@rezaerlangga2479]

legend for the game , all the best for the recovery

[@firestarterx]

Great to see this done most people don’t get to hear the deserving words

[@The_Supervillain]

One of the greatest players of all time. A true card gaming legend. Very touching tribute by Wizards.

[@hochspringer7776]

Kai is a Great Human beeing. All the best to him and his Family.

[@KleineKassiopeia]

Just Hueys Emotion alone made this beautiful. And even though it's devastating to hear that he's very ill it's at least cool they could do it with him there and not after he has passed which hopefully will be quite a while

[@squeektheweek6949]

Thank you, Kai.

[@benjumin1924]

Hope to get well soon, Master of the MTG🙏

[@Pierceyip]

I wish Kai all the best, difficult news to hear.

[@shapelike]

Thank you for what you gave the game, Kai ❤

[@The_savvy_Lynx]

Hey Kai, I hope you can enjoy your last tournaments :) You will be missed!

[@34tm3gaming3]

Sad but inevitable. I remembered the decks that made him win pro-tours. Im 50 now but still dreaming in getting back to the game. Its just too expensive nowadays especially when im in the Philippines. I couldnt afford it anymore but still im a Magic player at heart. ❤

[@redshift86]

Play Arena, it's free.

[@34tm3gaming3]

@@redshift86 Sadly, i dont hv a PC either. Thanks anyway.

[@DrakeF.]

All the best to you, Kai ❤ Good gesture, WotC.

[@Uggoo]

beautiful moment

[@lovetownsend]

This is what is great about Magic community. This.

[@datenschutzification]

That was beautiful

[@michaelmercer4075]

Absolute Legend!

[@acpe]

He's Magic's Maradona, Messi, Federer, Jordan, Schumacher all at the same time. Absolute Legend, Respect, and let his Legacy live on!

[@ThePenitentSquirrel]

Well, it is a tragedy, the man isn't dead, so people should take the time to appreciate and celebrate him while he is still with us rather than try to put him in the ground prematurely.

[@augustvong7057]

Saw Budde live once in Stockholm. Must have been over 20 years ago. Of course, he dominated the field.

[@moralessanchezoscarelias6412]

You better believe that I stoop up in my room and joined in that applause. Best player ever.

[@xcver]

Ich fühle mich wie Reid am Ende. Spiele seit 1994 für mich war Kai der Inbegriff des Pro's

[@raidernunes2172]

Linda homenagem…parabéns aos envolvidos 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@benscaglione2416]

This was beautiful

[@tomken91]

Legend.