NFL

Video-Game-Addicted NFL Lineman Used To Play 18 Hours Of Call Of Duty A Day

Almost exactly one year ago today, we told you about NFL lineman Quinn Pitcock, who was attempting a comeback with the Seattle Seahawks after prematurely retiring from the league due to a video game addiction.

Pitcock is now in camp with the Detroit Lions, and thanks to a feature by the Detroit Free Press‘ Michael Rosenberg, we know just how bad Pitcock’s addiction was.

“I could easily play up to 18 hours a day straight, without even realizing it. Really, almost the time I was off is almost a blur. It’s almost like I don’t remember. It seems like one day of playing for months.”

Call Of Duty was Pitcock’s game of choice, but 18 daily hours of video games wasn’t his only problem, as he cites depression as the reason for his addiction.

“When people get depressed, usually, you know … drug of choice,” Pitcock said. “When I was down, I got consumed in video games. For some reason, that’s what made me feel better and kind of block out life. I just got sucked into it.

At his lowest point, Pitcock’s life sounded more like a scene out of a Judd Apatow movie than anything in Any Given Sunday. He would sometimes only eat one meal a day or barely sleep. The team Pitcock retired from, the Indianapolis Colts, helped him seek treatment, but decided it’d be best if he got a fresh start somewhere else.

He was ultimately cut by the Seahawks before the start of last season, but now he’s hoping that a stint in Detroit can help revitalize his once-promising NFL career.

[Detroit Free Press. Image via.]