Alex Trebek, the beloved host of Jeopardy!, was moved to tears during Monday’s Final Jeopardy round after a contestant chose to honor him with a heartfelt message, despite the potential cost of his winnings.
Trebek, who is currently battling pancreatic cancer, was visibly touched when contestant Dhruv Gaur, a participant in the Tournament of Champions, used his answer not to solve the question, but to express his support. Instead of providing the expected response, Gaur wrote, “What is we love you, Alex?”
The gesture came with a price. Gaur had wagered $1,995 of his $2,000 in the round, effectively sacrificing his chance at a victory in favor of sending a personal tribute to the 79-year-old host.
Trebek, caught off guard by the emotional message, choked up and said, “Oh, that’s very kind of you. Thank you. (That) cost you $1,995, you’re left with $5.”
In a later tweet, Gaur explained that he had no regrets, emphasizing that the message reflected what everyone at the tournament was feeling. “Sorry for the west coast spoilers, but I’m really glad I got the opportunity to say to Alex what everybody at the tournament was thinking,” he wrote. “For context, Alex had just shared with us that he was reentering treatment for pancreatic cancer. We were all hurting for him so badly.”
Gaur, a Brown University student, continued, “When Final Jeopardy came up, I could’ve tried to puzzle it together, but really, I just kept thinking about Alex, and thought he should know. I’m just very grateful I got the opportunity to say what I know everyone was thinking. Sending all the love. #weloveyoualex.”
Trebek’s health battle has been ongoing since he revealed in March that he had been diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic cancer. Despite undergoing chemotherapy, Trebek has continued to host the show, which tapes in advance, without missing a single episode. His resilience has earned admiration from fans and contestants alike.
This touching moment comes shortly after another tribute from Jeopardy! winner Ari Gupta, who donated $10,000 of his $100,000 prize to the Oregon Health & Science University’s Knight Cancer Institute in honor of Trebek. Gupta, the 2019 Teen Tournament Champion, spoke of his admiration for the host and the profound impact he has had on the Jeopardy! community.
Trebek’s battle with cancer continues as he reenters chemotherapy after a brief break. In a recent interview, he candidly shared the emotional toll the disease has taken, describing moments of sadness and fatigue, though he remains resolute in his outlook. “I’ve had one hell of a good life,” he said, acknowledging his legacy and the love of those around him.
As the Jeopardy! community rallies around Trebek, these emotional tributes serve as a testament to the profound impact he has had, both as a game show host and as a symbol of strength in the face of adversity.
