Alex Trebek choked up when a 'Jeopardy!' contestant threw away all his winnings just to honor him

Not all game show contestants can walk away as winners, but many manage to win the hearts of viewers. While the prize money may elude them, they become part of the show's most memorable moments. In a similar instance, a "Jeopardy!" contestant named Dhruv Gaur touched the audience with his heartfelt tribute to the late host Alex Trebek, costing him more than a thousand dollars. However, it was a sacrifice he was willing to make. In a clip from an episode of "Jeopardy!", a question was posed to the contestants: "In the title of a groundbreaking 1890 expose of poverty in New York City slums, these three words follow 'How the.'"

When the question was asked, Gaur wore a big smile, which caught the attention of host Alex Trebek. "Dhruv, you are smiling. I like that," Trebek commented before revealing Gaur's response. "Let's take a look at your response. Did you come up with the right one? No?" Gaur's answer was, "What is... We [heart] you, Alex." Trebek was visibly choked up for a few moments as he responded, "That is very kind, thank you. Cost you $1,995. You are left with five bucks, okay." He then moved on to the other contestants. Gaur’s heartfelt answer quickly gained attention and started circulating online.

Gaur—who goes by @dhruvg_ on X—shared, "Sorry for West Coast spoilers, but I'm really glad I got the opportunity to say to Alex what everybody at the tournament was thinking." He added in another comment, "For context, Alex had just shared with us that he was reentering treatment for pancreatic cancer. We were all hurting for him so badly." In the next comment he shared, "When Final Jeopardy came up, I could've tried to puzzle it together, but really, 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."

The post received an outpouring of love from people sending good wishes to the host and praising Gaur for his heartfelt message. @qwiktwit wrote, "What a beautiful and thoughtful thing to do! Thank you for touching all of us and saying what we all know! #weloveyoualex." @DrCaveatLector commented, "Thank you so much for doing this! It was such an act of kindness, and it moved so many people. I wish you all the best. Be well." @ButkusRichard remarked, "You may not have won the game, but you’re a champion of life. Thanks for being an amazing human being."

In a 2019 interview with Good Morning America, Trebek admitted, "I realize that there is an end in sight for me, just as there is for everyone else. One line that I have used with our staff in recent weeks and months is that when I do pass on, one thing they will not say at my funeral is, 'Oh, he was taken from us too soon.' Hey guys, I'm 79 years old. I've had one hell of a good life. And I've enjoyed it... the thought of passing on doesn't frighten me. It doesn't. Other things do, the effect it will have on my loved ones... it makes me sad. But the thought of myself moving on, hey folks, it comes with the territory." Trebek passed away in November 2020 at the age of 80, according to PEOPLE.