Would Winky White Lay Down For D.C.?

There seems to be a new trend in the community occurring at tournament competitions. "The Free Pass." It happens when two members of the same league face off in single elimination competition and one of them decides to let the other member of the camp advance without having to play the game. It is understandable to a certain extent why two good friends would not want to compete to advance in a tournament, especially if they are sparring partners. On the other hand, two good friends should be able to understand that for the integrity of the event, that there is nothing wrong with good healthy competition between two good friends. For if Ronde & Tikki Barber can play in an NFL playoff game for a shot at the superbowl, surely two friends at best can compete to advance in a Madden tourney.

When thinking about this latest phenomena, the first thing that came to mind was the epic battle at Nationals II between Winky White and D.C. I asked myself, the question, would Winky White give D.C. a pass? Then in my rawest Texas drawl accent I blurted aloud.. "hell naw!"

When the BFL travels to major events, they support each other to the hilt. In fact, it was this same tourney that BFL member Ron Wilborn, who was a 36 seed, was playing The Terminator who was a 4th seed in the first round of Survivor Sunday, and it was Wink Dawg and D.C. together cheering Wilborn on feverishly. As a matter of fact, Terminator would admit afterwards that the BFL got inside his head and that certainly contributed to his losing to the lower seeded Wilborn.

You see, The BFL invented getting in the opposing camp head. And Winky White was a mastermind at getting in the opponents ear causing them to loose focus during the game while their BFL counterpart quietly sat there focused and stole the game. Ironically, if Wilborn would win, he would have to face White in the next round. But that didn't stop Wilborn from competing fiercely, nor did it stop White from vexing the Terminator.

After that game, the camp celebrated, hugged, gave high fives and the like, and settled down because, the two ballers had to refocus to do battle with each other. Wilborn went after White like he was a complete stranger. The way these two competed, one would never think they were from the same camp. White survived the overmatched and overachieving Wilborn in a 77-63 shootout.

Afterwards, it was on to face D.C. in the final 8. White was still hungry after losing the heartbreaker to cREATOR in the Nationals I championship game the previous year. D.C. was the upstart, new kid on the block that had taken the tournament by storm. The stage was set, and the two had one of the most epic battles in the history of Nationals, with White pulling out a 56-52 thriller.

Before the game White voiced his disappointment in having to face another camp member. Although he did come out on top vs. Wilborn it was a hard fought emotional drainer against not only a fellow camp member, but a good friend. Now he had to do it all again vs. D.C. And from D.C.'s point of view, there was no hesitation about getting it on with his legendary camp brother. White was clearly the hands on favorite to take the title, and arguably the most intimidating baller in the room. But that didn't seem to phase the "silent assassin," as he has been called since Nationals II. Nevertheless, the two locked horns, for NEVER ONCE was there mention of, you go ahead and advance. You will match up better against Jay Kearney than I will. Or, since we are from the same camp we don't want to play each other.

Today's Madden scene is a little different. And I want to emphasize "a little." Because last year in the sweet 16 it was D.C. again that had to lock horns with his fellow BFL brother Timino. (Formerly known as The Beast) And while neither one wanted to have to face each other, never was there discussion about not playing the game out competitively, or circumventing facing one another, because they are from the same camp. No Houston Texans vs. Detroit Lions making a mockery of the game. Maybe that is the old school in them, or maybe just a part of what leagues like the BFL stand for. They represent the philosophy that Nationals and the PFL was built on; To establish a forum by which its members may gather and enjoy friendly, but competitive, competition of electronic video football.

The question that stirs in my mind is, will it ever go back to what it once was? Is the mind set of today's baller that much different than just a short three to four years ago?

As a tournament organizer I will be exploring measures to promote that all games are completed and played as competitively as possible. In addition, I would like to encourage all that may read this article to reconsider your stance if in the past it has been different. While we all want to win, and sometimes we don't look forward to competing against those that may be in our same camp, in society we see it all the time. I'm sure Venus is tired of losing to Serena. And there are countless other examples where friends, siblings, and relatives must compete against each other at a high level to win.

Would Winky White lay down for D.C.? I don't think so. And that's the way it should be. Two fierce warriors fighting it out for the glory and prestige of winning. Not for the dollars, not to see whose camp would do the best so everyone could split the earnings. Not because one is selfish and wants to win all the money. But for pride, dignity, respect, and integrity. The things this community needs more of if we plan to survive another 8 years.

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