Miami Heat Players Form “Special Brotherhood” by Playing Call of Duty Videogame During Long Road Trips

With each passing day, it becomes apparent to me (as it should you) that videogames are much more than they appear to be. Think of them as a wonder device capable of some day changing the world.

Jermaine O’Neal, a player on the NBA’s Miami Heat franchise, tells the Sun Sentinel that the team has built a “special brotherhood” during their latest seven-day road stretch of games. He attributes the strengthened bond between he and his teammates in part due to the team’s Call of Duty gaming sessions, and believes that the added cohesiveness will aid them as they prepare for a long stretch of road games.

“It’s the first time I’ve been into a regular extended room with a king-size bed with like eight big guys in one room playing video games since my Portland days,” said O’Neal.

The team’s star guard, Dwyane Wade, made a martyr like comment, as he implied that allowing some of the team’s younger players to kick his butt in COD was worth the embarrassment as it helped unite everyone “in the same foxhole” when game time rolled around.

With free collegiate rides, big budget endorsement deals, and multi-million dollar contracts placed at the feet of some of the world’s most elite athletes, it’s interesting to hear that a videogame, which retails for sixty bucks, can serve as a bonding agent capable of improving an NBA team’s play. You’d like to think that the coach would have something to do with that. No?

I used to laugh at the EA Sports Madden commercial that featured gamers mixing it up with the New Orleans Saints. Specifically the part where the coach Payton walks by a gamer, playing Madden on his PSP,  who’s seated on the team bus next to quarterback Drew Brees. The coach looks at the gamer then turns to Brees, who is listening to music, and says “Now that’s dedication Drew. That’s what I like to see.”

There’s an EA Sports Madden commercial that featured gamers mixing it up with the New Orleans Saints. At one point, Coach Payton walks by a gamer, playing Madden on his PSP,  who’s seated on the team bus next to quarterback Drew Brees. The coach looks at the gamer then turns to Brees, who is listening to music, and says “Now that’s dedication Drew. That’s what I like to see.”

The spot always struck me as over the top and funny, but considering Miami Heat players actually believe videogame usage helped to build their team chemistry, maybe it’s not so far fetched after all. And considering the Saints recent losing streak, they may want to give it a shot.

Here’s the Madden 10 commercial featuring the Saints for those of you who haven’t seen it.

[Thanks Sun Sentinel]