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

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.

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.

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.

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

Reid Duke crying broke me😢

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

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.

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.

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!

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.

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

A fitting tribute to a great man.

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.

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 💔

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

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

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. 🙏❤️

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

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

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

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.

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

Always keeping Voidmage Prodigy in memory in my decks

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

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

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 😢

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

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

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!

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

Seeing Reid Duke in tears BROKE me. 😭

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.

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.

Deserving tribute ❤️‍🔥

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. ❤

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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!

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

legend for the game , all the best for the recovery

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

This is what is great about Magic community. This.

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

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

Hope to get well soon, Master of the MTG🙏

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

Thank you for what you gave the game, Kai ❤

I used to use this man’s pro card (inserts in packs) as tokens. If I ever play paper magic again I will be digging those out. Maybe get some altered.

friends being friends in front of a mic and crowd as regular passionate dudes

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

Damn, horrible news. Kai had just exploded into the scene when I began playing MTG as a teenager, I always looked up to him.

Legend german juggernaut! The prize fits u well as always!

I wrote a "my hero is" style esssy about kai budde once, Peace and love to the german juggernaut

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

Thanks to wizards for letting Kai see all this! Also, Reid is such a treasure, gotta love him ❤

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

Magic paper tournament is dead. Legend Kai still lives on.

Heartbroken. Kai is the best 💙💙💙

I hope they put his name on the Pro Tour Player of the year trophy's going forward.

Despite the fact that i sometimes hate the money grabbing politics, thats why i respect and love so much this game, Magic isnt just a game, its a family.

That was beautiful

Thank you, Kai.

I'm so sorry Kaiser, you will be my favorite mtg player ever.

Absolute Legend!

Stay strong Kai, there is always hope! Not called "the German Juggernaut" for nothing! 💪