On Sunday evening, the Eagles held off the Packers and earned a seven-point win, improving their record to 10-1 and maintaining the top spot in the NFC. Sure, their impressive record can be credited to their talent, film study and tough practice sessions. In the same breath, their on-field chemistry can be tied to the hours they have spent playing Grand Theft Auto V. Yes, you read the previous sentence correctly. In a recent New York Times piece, several members of the Philadelphia Eagles revealed that a bit of their on-field chemistry can be attributed to the hours they have spent playing Grand Theft Auto V missions together. As the piece explains, completing roleplaying missions together has allowed players from different position groups to build friendships that translate to the workplace.
“It just builds a friendship at the end of the day,” Philadelphia Eagles Linebacker Haason Reddick said.
“Then, when you get on the field, we’re all happy for each other, and we all want each other to do good.”
No one has taken to this development quite like Philadelphia Eagles Safety CJ Gardener-Johnson. He says that playing Grand Theft Auto has shifted his mindset and allowed him to be calmer on the field during games.
“That’s why I ain’t been so loud this year,” Gardener-Johnson said.
“I just been, like, quiet and chill. I just want to play football, come home, and play video games.”
Gardener-Johnson and his teammates will be able to put their on-field chemistry to the test this Sunday when they take on the Tennessee Titans.
