In what might be seen by some as a bit of a stunning move due to the standoffish vibe he exhibits toward the media, Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch is set to appear in one of the most popular video games of our time.
Lynch — a video game savant who isn't shy about talking smack no matter who he is playing — will be part of the latest installment to Treyarch's mega-hit Call of Duty series. The running back's cameo plays off his Beast Mode nickname, establishing a never before seen feature in the futuristic first person shooter set in Singapore.
"For Marshawn's role, we needed an imposing figure," Mark Lamia, Treyarch studio head told ESPN.com. "When we learned he's a huge fan, we thought it'd be awesome to have him inside our game."
It's smart for Treyarch to play off not only Lynch's video game persona — he said he logs on most every day to stay in touch with current and former teammates — but his football prowess. And while it's against NCAA rules for athletes to profit off their likeness in any way (the main reason there are no longer video games for college sports), I thought it'd be fun to look at Ohio State's football roster to see who could potentially be seen doing the same thing as Lynch.
Top Picks
The first name that screams video game boss is All-American Joey Bosa.
Yayyy pic.twitter.com/mKbQ0VENFA
— Joey Bosa (@jbbigbear) November 29, 2014
The Buckeye world beater famously got into a Twitter spat last fall with a fan who thought he wasn't dedicated enough because he enjoys spending what free time he has playing FIFA, Call of Duty or whatever the flavor is of that particular day. It seemed petty at the time and still does nine months later considering the laurels the defensive end received during his team's run at the national title.
Plus, with how much Bosa tweets about gaming, creating some sort of ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ mode within his favorite series where his free spirited attitude toward college life while still dominating between the lines would be both amusing and entertaining.
Next up is safety Tyvis Powell. Even if though he doesn't tweet about video games like Bosa does, he playfully jawed with defensive backfield counterpart Vonn Bell at Sugar Bowl Media Day in December about a game of NBA2K15 from the night before.
Powell is always upfront and has a good time with the media, never afraid to drop shade on his teammates (mainly quarterback Cardale Jones) in an interview or on social media. Who wouldn't want a trash talking mode like that to bust out in a game of 2K or Mortal Kombat?
The final favorite is Jones, mainly because of how he destroyed a Nationwide Children's Hospital patient in NCAA Football 14 then demanded the score be properly reported.
Man I wish everyone stop saying I beat a kid in the hospital 91-35.... It was 98-35, had 91 with 1:26 left in the 4th pic.twitter.com/TAJxefv5A4
— Cardale Jones (@CJ12_) February 10, 2015
What made the story even better was when the patient, Jared Foley, said run that back.
Jokes aside, could you imagine have a full-Cardale mode where it doesn't matter what game you're playing, you're somehow going 3-0 on the hardest difficulty?
The Sleepers
It doesn't seem like Braxton Miller is much of a gamer, but inserting his wizard-like ability to elude defenders in a round of Zombies on Call Of Duty would be supremely convenient.
In a similar way, having a Joshua Perry Mode would be a lovely luxury for games like Minecraft — where brainpower and quick thinking is vital. Perry's one of the smartest, most professional individuals on Urban Meyer's team. Ohio State's athletic director and vice president Gene Smith has taken notice, too.
"What time is it? 4:14," Smith told Cleveland.com. "I'd hire him at 4:15. That guy is a stud."
Finally, Jacoby Boren's unwillingness to leave a game for much more than one play no matter how badly he's hurt makes him a worthy candidate for consideration. Eleven Warriors' own Michael Citro already outlined him as one of the most underrated players on the team earlier this week, a guy who just does his job regardless the circumstances.
Flipping a switch in say Gears of War or something similar to a mode where you're going to complete the level not matter how bad you're hurt seems like it'd be a pretty good gig.
Final Pick
There's loads of other modes that could be broken down with respect to the individual talents of different players on Ohio State's football team, but it's hard not to pick Bosa as the guy most likely to make the best cameo in a non-sports related video game.
He spends his lonely nights gaming and knows how to properly wind down his mind on the eve of a Saturday in the fall.
Not to mention he isn't above asking for advice on what's the best way to decipher a new game he just bought, while also thinking FIFA is bae. Even the origin of his trademark celebration can be tied back to a video game.
The options of quick thinking with Perry, major elusiveness from Miller and trash talking from Powell and the others are all terrific in their own ways, but it's tough to look past Bosa's ability to go full Hulk Mode whenever he wants.
