As far back as I remember I wanted to play video games. I still have vivid memories of my dad, brother, and myself playing consoles as far back as the NES. Playing a game like Aladdin on the Super Nintendo, catching Pokémon on my Gameboy, GTA Vice City, to the eventual crazy of battle royale games. From Sega to Gameboy. From Xbox to my eventual obsession, a gaming PC I always wanted to play the latest and greatest titles and explore the worlds they allow you to get lost in. When I heard about the Esports team in New Orleans, it was game over. I knew at that very moment I was a fan. The best city in the world, and my favorite hobby all mashed into one. The NOLA Flight introduction was something that “took off” into something even more special, a partnership I believed in, as a fan and as a brand.

        I never got much into watching streams (outside of the early Shroud days), or even reading guides for video games. I wanted to bang my head against the wall and figure things out my own way when playing. I wanted to create my own path and feel like I accomplished something, which is a big reason The Kneaux exists to begin with, and a big reason I love to support the Flight. From the ground up, dedication to their craft and love for their fans you can tell by their recent performance at the Call of Duty League Challengers as “Underdogs” that it means something to their players too. Every single person I have talked to who is involved with the Flight whether they are from New Orleans, or just a part of the team sees the passion. They see the city the same way Saints and Pelicans players see the city, full of people who ride or die. 

        If you look at the workings of their roster, you would swear it is deja vu of the Pelicans, young and on the door of greatness. Some people have said Call of Duty player Shockzy is the Lebron of Esports, but I personally akin him to Brandon Ingram of the New Orleans Pelicans. Young, hardworking, and full of promise to build a consistent winner with. Shockzy graced the cover of our magazine this month, gave an interview to our Esports writer Katy Rigol, and participated in the CDL (scandal free I might add) further showing he can handle the load as a NOLA Flight staple. Just like Brandon Ingram, he is not alone. The team rallied behind the love and support they got at the Challengers and showed why they deserve to be in the same spotlight as any other team vying for the next expansion. 

        Fan of shooters? They have multiple Call of Duty and Apex players and streamers alike and both a men’s and a women’s team. Maybe you want to watch something more like other sports, check out their Rocket League roster. As a fan of New Orleans, and a fan of video games the discovery and partnership with NOLA Flight will always be near and dear to me. I hope that passion like mine that I share with them can not only help the scene grow, but the Flight soar beyond their wildest dreams. Wrapping up, take some time to show love to NOLA Flight, Shockzy and their whole roster. Just like The Kneaux, I could not build this dream without the love and support of the city. In the wise words of Chris Conner, “As long as it got New Orleans on it.”. Follow NOLA Flight on Twitter and #FlyTheNF

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