Photo By Alun Thomas | Soldiers and Families from the Phoenix Recruiting Battalion pose for a group photo...... read more read more
TEMPE, Ariz. – More than 15 recruiters from the Phoenix Recruiting Battalion participated in the 8th annual ‘Pro vs G.I. Joe’ video game competition, as they competed against players from the Arizona Cardinals in various Xbox games, Nov. 21, Cardinals Training Facility, Tempe, Arizona.
The recruiters and their family members had the opportunity to meet players such as Jaron Smith, wide receiver, J.J. Nelson, wide receiver, and Xavier Willams, defensive end, who took turns playing such games as FIFA 18, Madden 18 and Call of Duty against the ‘joes.’
The event was coordinated by the United Services Organizations and Joint Forces Initiative, the latter a private, non-profit organization that provides America’s military with the opportunity to participate in real-time video game competitions online and in person, with professional athletes and celebrities.
Spearheading the event with the Arizona Cardinals was Greg Zinone, founder, Joint Forces Initiative, who said this is the 8th year he’s held the event with the Cardinals, among others around the world.
“We hold events all over the world, wherever our military are stationed,” Zinone said. “A lot of tours are just handshake events, where you take a picture and that’s it. We wanted to create something where you get a once in a lifetime experience and actually get to interact personally with the stars.”
Zinone said video games are something anyone can relate to, making the experience more intimate for Soldier and athlete.
“When you have a controller in your hands, it doesn’t matter if you’re the biggest professional athlete in the world or the highest ranking officer in the military,” he said. “It’s like you’re playing your buddy in the basement, and that’s the kind of experience we want the Soldiers to have.”
“It’s almost as if they’re playing their best friend, who is actually a professional athlete,” Zinone said. “It levels the playing ground between athlete and troop.”
Zinone said he sees the pleasure both the Soldiers and their families get out of the event, making the venture worthwhile solely because of this.
“It helps boost morale and they deserve it. My wife is in the Army and has been to Iraq twice, making lots of sacrifices for our family,” he continued. “Therefore I think it’s important for those of us who don’t serve, to help serve those that do.
As a participant on behalf on the Cardinals, Jaron Smith said the event was a fantastic chance to interact with the local military community.
“I had a blast out there playing against the Soldiers and their children,” he said. “Knowing what they’ve sacrificed for our country is awesome and I’m proud to give something back."
Smith said military service runs in his family, making it even more personal for him.
“I have a strong military background. My father is retired navy, my father-in-law was a retired lieutenant colonel, and my uncle served as well,” Smith said. “I just loved being able to do this today.”
Smith joked his performance playing FIFA 18 wasn’t as successful as he’d hoped.
“I went one for three today. I lost to a couple of the kids, which is kind of embarrassing because FIFA is my game, but it was all for a great cause,” Smith said with a smile.
| Date Taken: | 11.21.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 11.21.2017 16:15 |
| Story ID: | 256175 |
| Location: | TEMPE, AZ, US |
| Web Views: | 169 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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