From Skimboarding Champion to Gaming Millionaire: The Rise and Retirement of a Streaming Legend
Turner "Tfue" Tenney didn't just become one of Twitch's biggest streamers by accident. The Florida native built his empire on a foundation of raw gaming talent, controversial moments, and an ability to turn virtual victories into real-world wealth that most people can only dream about.
**From Skimboards to Keyboards**
Before he was dropping into Fortnite matches, Tenney was making waves in a completely different arena. Growing up in Indian Rocks Beach, Florida, he dominated the skimboarding scene as a teenager, winning 13 contests in a row and setting world records for trick shots. His brother Jack, who runs the popular JOOGSQUAD YouTube channel, actually featured Turner's early skimboarding skills back in 2010 when Turner was just 12. But while his feet were planted on boards gliding across shallow water, his hands were already finding their way to gaming controllers.
**The Fortnite Phenomenon**
Tenney's transition from games like Call of Duty and Destiny to Fortnite in 2017 proved to be career-defining. His mechanical skills translated perfectly to Epic Games' battle royale, where he quickly established himself by setting records for solo kills on PC. What separated him from other skilled players wasn't just his aim or building speed—it was his ability to make even routine matches feel electric. By 2018, he was averaging viewership numbers that most streamers never see, and his Twitch channel became the 8th most-watched on the entire platform.
**FaZe Drama and Legal Battles**
Success brought both opportunities and complications. When Tenney joined FaZe Clan in April 2018, it seemed like a perfect match between gaming's biggest organization and one of its brightest stars. The partnership amplified his reach, but it also led to one of gaming's most publicized contract disputes. By May 2019, Tenney filed a lawsuit against FaZe, claiming the organization was preventing him from pursuing other opportunities and taking an unfair cut of his earnings. The legal drama played out publicly, with fans taking sides and industry insiders debating the ethics of esports contracts.
**Retirement and Legacy**
After years of grinding streams and tournament play, Tenney announced his retirement in June 2023, stepping away from competitive gaming at age 25. His impact on the streaming landscape remains undeniable—he earned over $5.2 million in Twitch revenue alone between 2019 and 2021, ranking fourth among all streamers during that period. With tournament winnings exceeding $680,000 and millions of followers across platforms, he proved that gaming could be more than just a hobby. Today, while his daily streaming days are behind him, his influence on how content creators approach their careers continues to shape the industry.