**Jeopardy! Champ Mike Dawson Reveals Sad Personal News After Defeat**

In a bittersweet turn of events, Mike Dawson, a recent champion on the beloved quiz show *Jeopardy!*, saw his three-day winning streak come to an abrupt end on April 9. The 6’7” technology manager from Portland, Oregon, who had amassed an impressive $57,000 during his tenure on the show, faced a surprising defeat at the hands of Andrew Hayes, a law student from Tupelo, Mississippi. Dawson finished the episode with a mere $2, but the disappointment of losing was compounded by a more personal and troubling revelation he shared shortly after the episode aired.

Dawson took to the *Jeopardy!* Reddit forum to express his thoughts on his experience and to share some unfortunate news regarding his job status. “Well, it was fun while it lasted! Big congrats to Andrew for being lightning-fast with the buzzer and extremely strong in a wide variety of topics,” he wrote, acknowledging his competitor’s skill. He also praised fellow contestant Courtney Martin for her impressive performance in the Final Jeopardy round.

However, the tone of Dawson’s post shifted as he delved into the circumstances surrounding his professional life. He revealed that his journey to *Jeopardy!* had spanned 18 years, and while he was thrilled to finally compete, the timing was particularly poignant. “My occupation for the show was listed as ‘Technology Manager,’ but as Anise [K. Strong-Morse, a fellow contestant] alluded to in her post yesterday, there’s much more to the story than that,” he explained.

Dawson disclosed that he had been working in tech-focused roles for international nonprofits in the aid and development sector for over a decade. Tragically, just weeks before his appearance on *Jeopardy!*, he and thousands of his colleagues lost their jobs due to significant cuts made by the Trump administration and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). These cuts resulted in the termination of nearly 10,000 USAID and State Department contracts and grants, leaving many professionals in the sector scrambling for new opportunities.

While Dawson refrained from delving into the political implications of his job loss, he expressed gratitude for his *Jeopardy!* winnings, which he hoped would help him navigate this challenging transition. “I’ll forgo getting into the politics of it all, despite the sudden loss of my career being inherently political, but I’m incredibly grateful to have my Jeopardy winnings to help carry me through this transitionary period,” he wrote.

In his post, Dawson also reached out to the *Jeopardy!* community for support, asking for leads on remote opportunities in internationally-focused roles or managerial positions related to cybersecurity. “Thanks again to the *Jeopardy!* community for all the support as I finally got to achieve this lifelong dream,” he concluded, highlighting the importance of community during difficult times.

The response from fans and fellow contestants was overwhelmingly supportive. Many expressed their admiration for Dawson’s calm demeanor and impressive gameplay. One commenter noted, “Mike, you’re a great player and you seemed so calm during your run and looked like you were having a good time! I think you’re going to do well in Champions Wildcard. Hoping that everything works out for you!”

Others shared their condolences regarding his job loss while praising his contributions to the nonprofit sector. “I enjoyed your run on *Jeopardy!* and I am distressed at your current position in life. I wish you all the best!” wrote one fan. Another added, “Wishing you the best of luck! Thank you for all the work you’ve done to make the lives of so many people better.”

Former *Jeopardy!* contestant Josh Weikert also offered his support, stating, “Great watching you play, Mike, and I’ll keep my ears open for opportunities. I work in government and my wife and I both have a lot of exposure/networking in international education programs/organizations.”

As Dawson navigates this challenging chapter in his life, his resilience and determination shine through. His journey on *Jeopardy!* may have ended, but the support from the community and his willingness to seek new opportunities suggest that this is not the end of his story. For now, fans can continue to watch *Jeopardy!* weekdays, checking local listings for the latest episodes.