Former Dogmen, Second Wind Flex Support Berd Signed to Atlanta Academy

Atlanta Academy announced the signing of former Dogmen and Second Wind flex support player Troy “berd” Grady on Sunday.

Atlanta Academy are currently 5th overall in the NA West group, with a 2-2, +2 record. The team has struggled since losing their star flex support Dusttin “Dogman” Bowerman to their parent organization in the weeks leading up to the start of the 2019 Overwatch League season. In Season 3 of 2018, ATL Academy were 4-1, +8, and narrowly lost in the Grand Finals to three-peat champions Fusion University.

[Related: An Interview with Atlanta Reign’s star flex support, Dusttin “Dogman” Bowerman]

ATL Academy’s support line is currently comprised of veteran Alex “Ajax” Jackson and former flex DPS player Garret “Saucy” Roland. Saucy switched roles to accommodate the team at the start of the 2019 Contenders season, but will probably switch back with the addition of a dedicated flex support player.

[Related: Atlanta signs former British Hurricane main support FunnyAstro to two-way contract]

Second Wind have an extensive history of developing talent, which is often then plucked from their grasp by Academy teams. The team has lost nine players in this way, and one head coach. Despite this, the team finished in 3rd-4th last season, losing to Fusion University after an impressive 4-1, +6 regular season. Their current record puts them fourth overall in the NA East group, with a 3-1, +4 record. Berd had been with the team for 30 days.

Prior to playing for Second Wind, berd had played for The Dogmen, a developmental Open Division team started by Dallas Fuel support coach Justin “Jayne” Conroy and Dogman, the team’s namesake.

Other notable alumni of the Dogmen include:

• Angry Titans Head Coach Matthew “Optidox” Sims & Asst. Coach James “Faustus” Frye
• 2nd Generation main support Joshua “Felty” Pryor and main tank Niko “ChroNoDotA” Raisanen
• Chicken Contendies flex player Gabriel “Janitor” Lopez
• Second Wind DPS player “Speedily”
• Uprising Academy main support Gabriel “Swimmer” Levy

All NA Contenders teams face the threat of relegation should they end their season in the bottom two positions of their group, though it’s unlikely that ATLA or Second Wind ends there from a mathematical perspective. There are currently three weeks left in the regular season, with three more games to finalize the playoff picture in the region. The NA West group plays on Wednesdays at 3PM PDT/6PM EDT.

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