Quitting football to play "Call of Duty"?

[Mr. Scot]

Now here's a story I hadn't heard.

From the Orlando Sentinel (link)

He spent most of his time in the pitch-black living room of his Indianapolis apartment, eyes fixated on a TV screen as his fingers feverishly pushed buttons on an Xbox controller.

"I'd go to McDonald's for breakfast, order a bunch of food, come home and play for 18 hours into the next day, then crash, sleep for seven hours and do it all over again," Pitcock said.

Pitcock (6-2, 320 pounds) was a first-team All-American at Ohio State and was selected in the third round of the 2007 draft. He recorded 18 tackles and 1.5 sacks during his rookie season and was projected to compete for a starting position in 2008.

Just before training camp, Pitcock abruptly retired.

"I didn't want football to be a part of my life," he said. "It wasn't just football. I felt like doing nothing."

Pitcock said his depression manifested itself in an addiction to the popular video-game series "Call of Duty."

"I couldn't put it down," Pitcock said. "If I visited family or friends, I timed it down to the last second where I could still play another game."

His addiction worsened after his retirement. For three months, Pitcock routinely played for 18 hours a day before seeking help.

I remember the name, but didn't know about this :huh:

[Jesse]

Holy poo, he must be a beast at CoD.

[Mr. Scot]

Haven't played the game myself.

is it that good?

[Iceberg Slim]

Depression is no joke, bet this dude has thought about killing himself too..hope he gets some help

[Mr. Scot]

Depression is no joke, bet this dude has thought about killing himself too..hope he gets some help

I think you'd have to say he's got larger issues.

I'll admit I've had days where I played video games for hours (though mine tend to be the adventure kind, not the shooters) but 18 hours, day after day, in the dark with nothing to eat but McDonalds? That blows my mind.

[TopCat]

Haven't played the game myself.

is it that good?

Nah it sucks.

In my humble opinion.

[top dawg]

Haven't played the game myself.

is it that good?

Yes, it is that good! I have spent probably 2 months (in real time) playing it. Yes I am addicted to a certain extent.

[Khaki Lackey]

If I had 25 hours in a day like he did, I would squeeze in some time for football.

[pepaw]

Too much. Here's hoping for the best.

[top dawg]

I asked my wife what does she hate me being on more, the Huddle or COD. She said that she hates me being on the Huddle way more than COD. She says that at least I am on COD with my son, but when I am on the Huddle I am ignoring her and looking at "naked women, titties and ass."

[Hotsauce]

Reminds of that documentary of the dude that ate McDonalds for a month straight

[Iceberg Slim]

I asked my wife what does she hate me being on more, the Huddle or COD. She said that she hates me being on the Huddle way more than COD. She says that at least I am on COD with my son, but when I am on the Huddle I am ignoring her and looking at "naked women, titties and ass."

I endorse this

[Khaki Lackey]

There's a proven cure for video game addiction. It's called vagina.

[top dawg]

This is nothing compared to people who have died gaming (or indirectly due to gaming addiction).

http://www.rpgownage.com/2011/03/697/

There are others.