{{short description|American professional esports player}} {{distinguish|ppd (gamer)|PPMd}} {{Use mdy dates|date=October 2025}} {{Infobox Pro Gaming player | ID = PPMD | name = Kevin Nanney | image = | caption = | birth_date = {{birth date and age|mf=yes|1990|09|25}} | birth_place = | nickname = PPMD, Dr. PeePee | game = | leagues = | career_games = ''Super Smash Bros. Melee'' <br/> ''Project M'' | career_start = 2009 | career_end = 2016 | years1 = 2013–2014 | team1 = VGBootCamp | years2 = 2014–2021 | team2 = Evil Geniuses | years3 = 2021–2023 | team3 = Golden Guardians | highlights = (7 majors won) * 2× Apex champion (2014, 2015) * Revival of Melee 3 champion (2010) * Pound champion (2011) * Zenith 2012 champion * Kings of Cali champion (2012) * SKTAR 3 champion (2014) | module1 = {{Infobox streamer | child = yes | twitch_handle = ppmd | twitch_display_name = | twitch_years_active = | twitch_genre = | twitch_game = | twitch_followers = 80,000<!-- PLEASE DO NOT CHANGE WITHOUT UPDATING stats_update BELOW --> | stats_update = January 2025 }} }}
'''Kevin Nanney''',<!-- do not add birthday without complying with WP:BLP --> also known by '''PPMD''' and formerly known as '''Dr. PeePee''', is an inactive American professional ''Super Smash Bros. Melee'' player. He is one of the "Five Gods" of Melee, alongside Jason "Mew2King" Zimmerman, Joseph "Mango" Marquez, Adam "Armada" Lindgren, and Juan "Hungrybox" DeBiedma.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendoenthusiast.com/evolution-2014-largest-smash-tournament-players-can-make-history|title=Who Will Be Crowned Greatest Smash Player Alive at EVO 2014? "5 Gods" vs "3 Underdogs"|author=Joe Cribari|date=July 10, 2014|website=Nintendo Enthusiast|access-date=November 27, 2021|archive-date=November 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211127124218/https://www.nintendoenthusiast.com/evolution-2014-largest-smash-tournament-players-can-make-history/|url-status=dead}}</ref> He is a two-time champion of the Apex tournament series and was ranked as one of the top six players in the world from 2010 to 2015, after which he was removed from rankings due to inactivity. Nanney uses Falco and Marth and is known for his intelligent and patient playstyle.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bignokh.com/2016/12/01/ultimatessbmrank-no-6-ppmd/|title=Ultimate SSBM rank|date=December 1, 2016|access-date=July 25, 2017}}</ref> A 2021 list compiled by PGstats ranked Nanney as the seventh-greatest ''Melee'' player of all time.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pgstats.com/articles/the-melee-stats-top-100-the-top-10|title=The Melee Stats Top 100: The Top 10|website=PGstats|date=November 22, 2021|language=en|access-date=November 22, 2021|archive-date=November 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211122010405/https://www.pgstats.com/articles/the-melee-stats-top-100-the-top-10|url-status=dead}}</ref>
Nanney entered into a hiatus from professional competition in 2016, citing health issues, and has not entered a singles tournament since. However, Nanney has remained active on social media and Twitch and has insisted that he has not permanently retired from competition.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/esports/story/_/id/28563386/melee-god-ppmd-preparing-comeback-amid-health-struggles|title=WMelee 'God' PPMD preparing for comeback amid health struggles|author=Jacob Wolf|date=July 10, 2014|website=Nintendo Enthusiast|access-date=January 31, 2020}}</ref>
==Gaming career== Nanney garnered attention in 2009 after placing higher than Mango at Revival of Melee 2 and finishing runner up to Hungrybox. Nanney won the tournament's next incarnation in 2010. He placed 5th at Apex 2012 after losing to eventual 4th place Javier "Javi" Ruiz. Next year at Apex 2013 he placed 2nd after losing to Armada in the Grand Finals. On July 16 Nanney became sponsored by Twitch streaming channel VGBootCamp.
In 2014, Nanney won Apex 2014, the second largest tournament at the time. In June Nanney won SKTAR 3 beating Mew2King in the finals and automatically qualifying for MLG Anaheim 2014. He finished 4th at MLG Anaheim despite being the favorite to win.<ref name="dail_'Sup">{{Cite web| title = 'Super Smash Bros.' triumphantly returns to the MLG stage| author = Jared Wynne| work = The Daily Dot| date = June 23, 2014| access-date = January 29, 2015| url = http://www.dailydot.com/esports/super-smash-bros-mlg-anaheim/| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304112444/http://www.dailydot.com/esports/super-smash-bros-mlg-anaheim/| archive-date = March 4, 2016| url-status = dead}}</ref> Nanney was invited to the Nintendo organized Super Smash Bros. Invitational at the E3 2014 to play ''Super Smash Bros. for Wii U'', pre-release, and received the Fan-Favorite Award.<ref name="poly_Nint">{{Cite web| title = Nintendo holds first Super Smash Bros. Invitational at E3 2014| author = Jonathon Dornbush| work = Polygon| date = June 10, 2014| access-date = January 29, 2015| url = http://www.polygon.com/2014/6/10/5798632/nintendo-smash-bros-invitiational-wii-u-e3}}</ref>
In May 2014 he left VGBootCamp and became a member of Evil Geniuses as their first ''Super Smash Bros.'' player.<ref name="shor_Kevi">{{Cite web| title = Kevin "PPMD" Nanney Chosen to Lead Evil Geniuses' New Super Smash Bros. Division| author = Julius Vissing| work = Shoryuken| date = May 9, 2014| access-date = January 29, 2015| url = http://shoryuken.com/2014/05/09/kevin-ppmd-nanney-joins-evil-geniuses/| archive-date = September 30, 2018| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180930163432/http://shoryuken.com/2014/05/09/kevin-ppmd-nanney-joins-evil-geniuses/| url-status = dead}}</ref><ref name=EGBIO>{{cite web|url=http://evilgeniuses.gg/Profile/53,PPMD/Biography/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140728153702/http://evilgeniuses.gg/Profile/53,PPMD/Biography/|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 28, 2014|title=PPMD Biography|website=Evil Geniuses|access-date=January 29, 2015}}</ref><ref name="dail_With">{{Cite web| title = With MLG Anaheim, the resurgence of competitive 'Smash Bros.' is in full swing| author = Ian J. Barker| work = The Daily Dot| date = June 19, 2014| access-date = January 29, 2015| url = http://www.dailydot.com/esports/smash-bros-mlg-anaheim/| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151003171624/http://www.dailydot.com/esports/smash-bros-mlg-anaheim/| archive-date = October 3, 2015| url-status = dead}}</ref> In 2015 Nanney became a repeat Apex champion when he beat Armada after Armada forced a bracket reset.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2350609-apex-series-2015-final-results-and-prize-money-for-super-smash-bros-event |title=Apex Series 2015: Final Results and Prize Money for Super Smash Bros. Event |website=Bleacher Report|access-date=October 1, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.levelup.com/noticias/302931/PPMD-se-corona-campeon-del-Apex-2015-en-Super-Smash-Bros-Melee|title=PPMD se corona campeón del Apex 2015 en Super Smash Bros. Melee|first=Alonso|last=Zamora|website=LevelUp|date=February 2, 2015|access-date=October 1, 2015}}</ref> Nanney then placed 5th in doubles at Bad Moon Rising on March 14–15, 2015, with his good friend and former rival Adam "L0zR" Jones. Nanney and Jones performed very well as a team in doubles tournaments earlier in ''Melee'''s life. Nanney competed only in doubles, and not singles, at this event.<ref>{{cite web|date=March 18, 2015 |url=https://smashboards.com/threads/bad-moon-rising-results-220-entrants-ft-hbox-plup-twitch-colbol-nintendude-and-more.395443/ |title=Bad Moon Rising: Results (220 Entrants!!!!) Ft. Hbox, Plup, Twitch, ColBol, Nintendude, and more!!!!|website=SmashBoards|access-date=January 20, 2019}}</ref> He placed third at EVO 2015, only his second singles tournament of the year. He was sent to losers in a rematch with Armada and then eliminated by Hungrybox in the Losers Final.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.redbull.com/us/en/esports/stories/1331736044959/melee-at-evo-2015-armada-is-the-champion|title=Melee at Evo 2015: Armada Is the Champion|first=Barrett|last=Womack|website=Red Bull Esports|date=July 20, 2015|access-date=October 1, 2015}}</ref> Nanney won Canada Cup 2015 on October 30 – November 1, 2015, over notable Samus player James "Duck" Ma.<ref>{{cite web|date=November 1, 2015 |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/smashbros/comments/3r3sg6/congratulations_to_the_winner_of_canada_cup_2015/ |title=Congratulations to the Winner of Canada Cup 2015 Melee Singles!|website=Reddit|access-date=January 20, 2019}}</ref> He placed 5th at Smash Summit on November 5–8, 2015. On January 15–17, 2016 he got 6th at GENESIS 3.<ref>{{cite web |date = February 19, 2016 |url=https://www.espn.com/esports/story/_/id/14806799/the-battle-kevin-ppmd-nanney| title=The battle in and out - Kevin "PPMD" Nanney |website=ESPN Esports|access-date=January 20, 2019}}</ref>
At the Battle of the Five Gods tournament on March 17–19, 2016, Nanney won two sets and lost one in Group B of the group stage, qualifying for the Playoffs Group. There, Nanney won no sets and lost four, leading him to not qualify for the finals Bracket, and finish in 10th place.<ref>{{cite web |date=March 19, 2016 |url=http://shoryuken.com/2016/03/19/battle-of-the-five-gods-smash-invitational-streaming-live-from-austin-texas/ |title=Battle of the Five Gods Smash Invitational Results |website=Shoryuken.com |access-date=January 20, 2019 |archive-date=January 21, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190121064132/http://shoryuken.com/2016/03/19/battle-of-the-five-gods-smash-invitational-streaming-live-from-austin-texas/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> At this event, Nanney also participated in a recorded panel where the rest of the "Five Gods" besides Hungrybox, who was not available for the session, discussed their thoughts about each other.<ref>{{cite AV media |date=March 20, 2016 |title=All Five Gods Interviews Edit [Re-Upload] |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5Zs6MIdi7M |website=YouTube|access-date=January 20, 2019 }}</ref>
Nanney announced he would not be attending EVO 2016 citing health issues as the reason for this decision.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Dozsa|first1=Preston|title=PPMD will not attend EVO 2016 due to health issues|url=http://www.thescoreesports.com/smash/news/8883-ppmd-will-not-attend-evo-2016-due-to-health-issues|website=The Score eSports|access-date=July 6, 2016|archive-date=July 7, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160707154933/http://www.thescoreesports.com/smash/news/8883-ppmd-will-not-attend-evo-2016-due-to-health-issues|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2020, he indicated that it was chronic fatigue syndrome that prevents him from competing.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 29, 2020 |title=Smash Melee God PPMD explains why he doesn't enter netplay tournaments |url=https://www.dexerto.com/smash/smash-melee-god-ppmd-explains-why-he-doesnt-enter-netplay-tournaments-1425880/ |access-date=October 7, 2024 |website=Dexerto |language=en}}</ref>
On July 1, 2017, Nanney participated in the doubles tournament at Bad Moon Rising 2, competing only in doubles and teaming up with Adam "L0zR" Jones once again. Nanney decided to enter this tournament to support his friend in Jones' decidedly final tournament appearance.<ref>{{cite web |date=June 23, 2017 |url=http://www.espn.com/esports/story/_/id/19720208/kevin-ppmd-nanney-return-super-smash-bros-melee-doubles |title=Kevin 'PPMD' Nanney to return to 'Super Smash Bros. Melee' in doubles |website=ESPN Esports |access-date=January 20, 2019}}</ref> The duo eventually finished at 4th place in the tournament, including a remarkable come-from-behind victory over Team Liquid's team of Hungrybox and Hungrybox's coach, Luis "Crunch" Rosias, in the Losers Quarterfinal.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dbltap.com/posts/5221876-ppmd-lived-up-to-the-hype-at-bad-moon-rising-2 |title=PPMD Lived up to the Hype at Bad Moon Rising 2 |website=DBLTAP |access-date=January 20, 2019}}</ref>
In 2021, Nanney was announced as a new signing by Golden Guardians, along with fellow ''Melee'' player Edgard "n0ne" L. Sheleby and commentator Kris "Toph" Aldenderfer.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Golden Guardians Continue Expansion Into Super Smash Bros. Melee {{!}} Golden Guardians|url=https://www.goldenguardians.com/news/golden-guardians-continue-expansion-into-super-smash-bros-melee/|access-date=April 3, 2021|website=www.goldenguardians.com|archive-date=April 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210406215331/https://www.goldenguardians.com/news/golden-guardians-continue-expansion-into-super-smash-bros-melee/|url-status=dead}}</ref> The organization released its ''Melee'' team in late 2023.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Labilles |first1=Justin-Ivan |title=Golden Guardians continues esports withdraw with release of top Smash Melee roster |url=https://dotesports.com/fgc/news/golden-guardians-esports-withdraw-release-top-smash-melee-roster |access-date=December 1, 2024 |work=Dot Esports |date=November 30, 2023}}</ref>
Nanney trains an hour a day on average. He has cited one of the reasons for his success as a player due to his ability to outplay his opponents psychologically by forcing them to make bad decisions.<ref>{{cite web |last=Nanney |first=Kevin |date=February 15, 2015 |title=What's up guys! EG <nowiki>|</nowiki> PPMD here. Winner of Apex and player of bird dude and sword guy. Ask me anything! |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/smashbros/comments/2vznkm/whats_up_guys_eg_ppmd_here_winner_of_apex_and/comanw4 |access-date=February 15, 2015 |website=Reddit}}</ref>
==Personal life== Nanney is a 2009 graduate of Crest High School in Boiling Springs, North Carolina.<ref>{{cite news |date=June 9, 2009 |title=Shelby Star |url=https://newspaperarchive.com/us/north-carolina/shelby/shelby-star/2009/06-09/page-19 |access-date=March 7, 2015}}</ref> He has a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.<ref name="EGBIO" /> He currently lives in Raleigh, North Carolina. His younger brother Alex "Twitch" Nanney is also a competitive ''Smash'' player.<ref>{{cite web |last=Womack |first=Barrett |date=April 22, 2015 |title=Friendlies: PPMD, the Good Doctor |url=http://www.redbull.com/us/en/esports/stories/1331718474432/friendlies-ppmd-the-good-doctor |access-date=August 15, 2015 |website=Red Bull Esports}}</ref>
Nanney struggled with depression over the years, which has limited his ability to travel to events and at times he has found motivation in the game difficult.<ref name="onga_Apex">{{Cite web| title = Apex 2014 Smash Melee Champion PPMD: "Melee is a journey that's tied to myself"| author = Rod Breslau| work = onGamers| date = January 23, 2014| access-date = January 29, 2015| url = http://www.ongamers.com/articles/apex-2014-smash-melee-champion-ppmd-melee-is-a-journey-that-s-tied-to-myself/1100-721/| archive-date = February 5, 2015| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150205045418/http://www.ongamers.com/articles/apex-2014-smash-melee-champion-ppmd-melee-is-a-journey-that-s-tied-to-myself/1100-721/| url-status = dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://evilgeniuses.gg/Read/437,Where-I-Have-Been-and-Where-I-am-Going/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140927104713/http://evilgeniuses.gg/Read/437,Where-I-Have-Been-and-Where-I-am-Going/|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 27, 2014|title=Evil Geniuses – News – Where I Have Been and Where I am Going}}</ref>
Nanney has expressed interest in playing competitive ''Melee'' for a living.<ref>{{cite AV media |date=February 6, 2015|title=Apex 2015 – EG {{!}} PPMD Interview: "I'm thinking of speedrunning Super Mario 64."|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zgFhWBT2sw |access-date=February 8, 2015 |time=6min 30sec }}</ref>
After a hiatus, Nanney began streaming on his Twitch channel again on April 23, 2019.<ref>{{cite web |date=April 22, 2019 |url=https://twitter.com/EG_PPMD/status/1120485583841898503 |title=Hey everyone, I have decided it's time to stream again. I will go live tomorrow at 2:30PM EST, and will have a speech 30 minutes later, with Melee after that. I think it will be pretty fun. See you in chat =) |website=Twitter |access-date=June 11, 2019}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *{{twitter|ppmd}} {{Competitive Super Smash Bros.}} {{Evil Geniuses}}
Category:1990 births Category:Living people Category:American esports players Category:Super Smash Bros. Melee players Category:Sportspeople from Raleigh, North Carolina Category:American Twitch (service) streamers Category:Project M players Category:People from Shelby, North Carolina Category:Evil Geniuses players Category:Team Razer players Category:People with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome