Photo By Sgt. Edward Balaban | Arizona Army National Guard Soldiers and families of the deployed 1404th...... read more read more
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PHOENIX — Sitting in a room at the USO in Kuwait, Spc. Matthew Greggersen revisited a sore subject amongst many Arizona fans.
Early Sept. 22, Arizona Cardinal guard Herman Johnson walked into what he thought would be a friendly game of football against Greggersen. But this Soldier decided to make things interesting.
Laughter erupted in the room as Greggersen selected the Pittsburgh Steelers as his team in the video game "Madden NFL 10," recreating the 2009 Super Bowl matchup.
Using the Xbox Live program, Greggersen was able to play the game against the professional football player who was in Phoenix at the Cardinals' training facility. Xbox Live is a program in which gamers can link game consoles from anywhere in the world, using a high speed internet service.
Greggersen and other Soldiers of the 1404th Transportation Company spent a few hours playing video games with family members, Arizona Cardinals football players, and other Arizona National Guard Soldiers, thanks to the Pro vs. GI Joe program. Pro vs. GI Joe is a non-profit organization that brings participating teams, athletes, musicians and celebrities together with deployed servicemembers overseas to play video games. Working with their official partner, the USO, the Pro vs. GI Joe program is able to not only connect the "Pros" with the "GI Joes" through a video game console, but they are also able to connect the servicemembers with their families using video teleconferencing.
Greggersen's wife, toddler son, mother, father, and grandmother were in attendance as well. When Greggersen scored a touchdown against Johnson, the Soldier's mother stood up and cheered; a bold move in a room full of Cardinals' fans.
This bold trait obviously runs in the family, as those in the audience could hear Greggersen tease Johnson on his video gaming abilities, and also see the soldier's victory dance when the game was over.
"This whole event is so awesome," said Army Pfc. Ernest Tisdale, a Soldier of the 1120th Transportation Battalion. Like a dedicated Soldier, Tisdale prepared for the event; as soon as he got the call, he rented the "Madden NFL 10" video game and participated in some "hardcore, late night training."
To his surprise, Tisdale didn't play a football video game with the Cardinals.
"When they told me that I was going to be playing drums in their 'band' for the 'Guitar Hero' game, I was a bit relieved," laughed Tisdale. "I've only played that game once, but I actually play the drums so I thought, 'This should be pretty easy.'"
Deuce Lutui, Arizona Cardinal guard, was a bit worried about playing "Call of Duty," a first-person shooter video game that simulates infantry warfare. "They know a lot more about the weapons and tactics, so I'm sure they'll whoop us in that game," he said.
Lutui, who also participated in last year's Pro vs. GI Joe event, was just thrilled to be spending time with the troops.
"I have a lot of family and friends who are in the military, and what they do truly means so much to me, I thought that spending a morning playing video games with Soldiers was the least I could do," he said. "I also had a great time and can't wait for the next one."
A huge fan of the Phoenix football team, Tisdale loved meeting the players and spending time with them, but he was actually more excited to see and play with his fellow Soldiers overseas.
"I love the Cardinals, I love my hometown team. But it was really neat to be able to see those guys in Kuwait. Those guys are my real heroes," he said.
Cardinals center Lyle Sendlein couldn't agree more.
"It was so great to interact with people who are away from their families, in harm's way, fighting for our country," said Sendlein. "Today was definitely a good time."
Spc. Edward Torres, a member of the 2220 Transportation Company, was also a part of the "Guitar Hero" band.
"It was so much fun! I got to sing in the 'band,' which was a blast," he said. "I've never played the game before, but I really enjoyed it."
After the video game tournament, Johnson and Sendlein stayed to take pictures with the family members and Soldiers. They also passed out autographed Cardinals merchandise. After the meet-and-greet, the attendees at the Phoenix event gathered at Outback Steakhouse in Chandler, Ariz., where the Veteran Tickets Foundation sponsored a free lunch.
"The free lunch was absolutely fantastic," said Pfc. Kirste Brooks, a guard member of the 222nd Transportation Company. "It was really nice to have a restaurant open just for us and the food was amazing."
Founded by Greg Zinone and wife Addie Zinone, a staff sergeant in the U.S. Army Reserve, in 2007, Pro vs. GI Joe has connected troops serving in countries such as Kuwait, Dubai, Iraq, Korea, and Cuba to professional athletes in the NFL, NBA, WNBA, PGA, and NASCAR. This is the second time the Cardinals have participated in a Pro vs. Joe event.
| Date Taken: | 09.22.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 10.02.2009 17:07 |
| Story ID: | 39611 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 457 |
| Downloads: | 348 |
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