MacDill Airman takes on Buc on the Madden gridiron

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Patrice Clarke
  • 6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
Senior Airman William Palizo knew a pass was coming, so he loaded his defense with defensive backs and ran a cover three out of a quarter formation. The snap came, followed by, sure enough, a pass. Airman Palizo's defense was there to pull out the interception in the last couple of seconds to end the game with a win. His opponent for this game, Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback, Phillip Buchanon.

They weren't at Raymond James Stadium and they weren't at the MacDill Air Force Base football field. They were at 1 Buccaneers Place, the practice facility for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the football field was a virtual one ... on the video game Madden 09. There, the 6th Operations Support Squadron aircrew life support journeyman in two quarters shut out Buchanon during the Pro vs GI Joe gaming event Nov. 11.

The program, started by an Army Reservist and her husband, pits military members in deployed locations against professional sports players playing different video games to include games like Call of Duty and Madden 09.

"This event is really to honor the troops and their families," said Addie Zinone, co-founder of the organization. "My husband believes if you don't wear a uniform you should give back to the folks who do. What better way than to play some video games with professional athletes."

The Veteran's day event was a truly an around the world event. Military members in Japan, Kuwait, Germany and Dubai played against Tampa Bay Buccaneers players Alex Smith and Cato June. Also in attendance were the family members of the deployed troops who were later, able to hook up and video conference with their loved one.

There were also many MacDill Airmen and their families at the event to cheer on the only military member to play in house against a Bucs player.

Airman Palizo won the chance to be the MacDill GI Joe by winning a base-wide Madden tournament a month earlier.

"This was a really great experience for me," said Airman Palizo. "I mean to be a part of an event like this and to represent MacDill as the only GI Joe present was pretty awesome."

It went especially well for Airman Palizo who ended up winning the game.

"My game plan wasn't good today," said Buchanon. "That's alright though, I love coming out here and giving back as much as I can. I mean I can go to work and the worst would be getting a hamstring injury, I could still go home to my family. For a lot of military members, the worst could mean life or death. There is nothing I can do to compare. So I thank them."