Nadeshot
The former OpTic Gaming captain who founded 100 Thieves.
Matthew Haag (born August 3, 1992), known as Nadeshot, is an American content creator, businessman, and former professional Call of Duty player. He is the founder, co-owner, and former CEO of 100 Thieves. As a pro player, he served as captain of OpTic Gaming during the 2014 Call of Duty: Ghosts season in the objective support role, stepping down in April 2015 after the Call of Duty Championship.
- Major Achievement
- 2011 Call of Duty XP World Champion; MLG X Games 2013 Gold Medalist; Best eSport
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Nadeshot's handle comes from 'grenade shot,' a move in Halo. He started as an amateur in Halo 2 before switching to Gears of War, narrowly missing MLG Chicago qualification by one slot in 2007. His professional debut came at age 16 on Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. In June 2010, he joined the OpTic Gaming competitive team. After Will 'BigTymer' Johnson resigned in 2014, Haag became captain. He stepped down following a seventh-place finish at the 2015 Call of Duty Championship, but did not leave OpTic Gaming entirely at that time. He later left to pursue content creation, founding 100 Thieves. Before his pro career took off, he worked at McDonald's and completed a two-year business course at Moraine Valley Community College.
In Their Own Story
Haag's path wasn't linear; after being dropped for the 2011 Black Ops season, he filled in temporarily at MLG Dallas before playing for Team EnVyUs and Surreal Legacy. He returned to OpTic permanently during the Black Ops II era, helping them win the first title of that franchise by defeating their opponents 3-2 in a decisive final series. The team also secured third place at the Call of Duty Championships and won $120,000 at the Call of Duty World Championships in Ghosts, where they finished top three. Following this success, he signed an exclusivity contract with MLG to stream on MLG.tv before eventually founding 100 Thieves.
Reader's Guide
To understand Nadeshot's impact, look at his specific roles and achievements: He is a Major League Gaming X Games 2014 gold medalist and the 2011 Call of Duty XP World Champion. In 2014, he won Best eSports player at The Game Awards. His YouTube channel hosts over 3.2 million subscribers with more than 270 hours of content. He was previously sponsored by hardware companies like Astro Gaming and Scuf Gaming and participated in the Twitch streaming program as a former Red Bull esports athlete.
Did You Know?
- His handle 'NaDeSHoT' originates from a lethal 'grenade shot' move in the Halo series.
- He worked at a McDonald's restaurant before competing professionally in gaming.
- He narrowly missed qualifying for MLG Chicago in Gears of War by exactly one slot in 2007.
- Haag's team won $400,000 collectively when OpTic Gaming took the Call of Duty XP Grand Final in 2011.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Nadeshot in real life?
Matthew Haag, known professionally as Nadeshot, is an American entrepreneur and former professional gamer best recognized for founding the lifestyle brand and esports organization 100 Thieves. He previously competed in Call of Duty tournaments before transitioning into business leadership roles.
What was his specific role during competitive play?
During his active career, Nadeshot served as the captain for OpTic Gaming, primarily playing an objective support role in Call of Duty: Ghosts during 2014. He officially retired from professional competition in April 2015 following the end of that championship season.
What are his most significant competitive achievements?
His career highlights include winning the 2011 Call of Duty XP World Championship and securing a gold medal at the MLG X Games in 2013. These victories established him as one of the most decorated players in the franchise's history before he founded his company.
Why is Nadeshot considered important to the brand?
As the founder and co-owner, Nadeshot built 100 Thieves from a gaming clan into a massive global lifestyle brand encompassing apparel and media content. He holds the title of former CEO while remaining the central figurehead of the organization.
When was Matthew Haag born?
Nadeshot was born on August 3, 1992, in the United States. His early start in gaming led him to rise through competitive ranks during the late 2000s and early 2010s.
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