Jun 5, 1991
Gemini
Michigan
33 years old
N/A
N/A
Twitch Star
Ninja (Tyler Blevins): The Evolution of a Gaming Icon
đ§ââī¸ Personal Background
Full Name: Richard Tyler Blevins
Online Alias: Ninja
Date of Birth: June 5, 1991
Age: 33 (as of April 2025)
Place of Birth: Detroit, Michigan, USA
Raised In: Grayslake, Illinois
Nationality: American
Marital Status: Married to Jessica Blevins (nÊe Goch) since 2017 â
Tyler Blevins, globally recognized by his online moniker Ninja, is a trailblazing figure in the world of online gaming and streaming. Born in Detroit and raised in Grayslake, Illinois, Blevins cultivated a passion for video games and soccer during his formative years. After graduating from Grayslake Central High School, he chose to pursue a professional gaming career, participating in esports tournaments and live-streaming his gameplay. â
đŽ Professional Gaming and Streaming Career
Ninja's professional journey commenced in 2009 with competitive play in Halo 3, representing teams such as Cloud9, Renegades, Team Liquid, and Luminosity Gaming. Transitioning to streaming in 2011, he gained prominence by broadcasting games like H1Z1 and PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PUBG). His career reached new heights with the advent of Fortnite Battle Royale in 2017, where his dynamic gameplay and engaging personality attracted a massive audience.â
A landmark moment occurred in March 2018 when Ninja streamed Fortnite alongside celebrities Drake, Travis Scott, and JuJu Smith-Schuster, setting a Twitch record with over 600,000 concurrent viewers. His Twitch channel amassed over 18 million followers, solidifying his status as one of the platform's most followed streamers. â
In August 2019, Ninja signed an exclusive streaming deal with Microsoft's Mixer platform. Following Mixer's closure in June 2020, he returned to Twitch and later expanded his streaming presence across multiple platforms, including YouTube and Facebook Gaming. â
đ Achievements and Accolades
2018: Named Content Creator of the Year at The Game Awards.
2019: Featured on the cover of ESPN The Magazine, a first for a professional gamer.
2019: Included in Time magazine's list of the 100 most influential people.
2020: Introduced his own skin in Fortnite, becoming the first streamer to receive this honor. â
Beyond streaming, Ninja has authored books such as Get Good: My Ultimate Guide to Gaming and the graphic novel Ninja: The Most Dangerous Game, offering insights into his gaming strategies and experiences.
đŧ Business Ventures and Collaborations
Ninja's influence extends into various business endeavors:â
Brand Partnerships: Collaborated with major brands like Red Bull, Adidas, and Electronic Arts. Notably, Adidas released a signature sneaker line in his name. â
Charity Work: Actively participates in philanthropic efforts, including donating $1 million in prize money from the 2018 Fortnite Pro-Am tournament to charity.
Media Appearances: Featured as "Ice Cream" on The Masked Singer in 2019, showcasing his versatility beyond gaming. â
đ§ Personal Life and Advocacy
In March 2024, Ninja publicly disclosed his diagnosis with melanoma, a form of skin cancer. The condition was detected early during a routine check-up, and he underwent successful treatment. He utilized his platform to raise awareness about the importance of regular skin examinations.
Residing in the Chicago area with his wife, Jessica, who also serves as his manager, Ninja continues to influence the gaming community through his streams, business ventures, and advocacy work.â
Tyler "Ninja" Blevins' journey from a passionate gamer to a global icon exemplifies the transformative power of digital platforms. His contributions have not only redefined the landscape of online gaming but have also inspired a new generation of content creators worldwide.â
