Early in my internship with NOLA FLIGHT, I had the opportunity to sit in and take notes on some key meetings. At the time, NOLA needed a new competitive Call of Duty team, so the staff had set up interviews with a handful of potential rosters. One of the players on one of these rosters was none other than Cayden “Shockzy” Pye. 

I don’t remember asking Shockzy anything in particular, but I do remember that he’d made a good impression. The whole group of four did, and so they joined NOLA. However, as most teams inevitably do, the group that I had taken notes on in that original interview eventually disbanded. 

Except, Shockzy quickly returned to NF— Why? “This kind of community,” he says appreciatively. “This love and support.” At the mention of NOLA’s passionate community, I can’t help but explain that I’m also a big fan of “The Shock God.” 

Of course, along with the highs of representing a loyal New Orleans fanbase comes the adverse lows of competing in a fickle Call of Duty scene, like when one of Shockzy’s peers suddenly joined another squad. “I landed in Texas and my teammate was gone.” He chuckles and adds, “I’m happy for him. I can’t be mad.” 

We talk about how Cayden started competing in his senior year on Black Ops 4, how he took “every chall” playing 2019’s Modern Warfare. We talk about the tournament runs and victories and losses: Boston and Toronto, opponents like MajorManiak and GodRX, the placings in Top 24, Top 8, Top 3 and so on. 

But when I ask the Shock God if he has any final comments about his career so far, he makes sure to shout out each of his teammates and staff. 

“Very tippable.” 

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