Welcome to the second episode of Season 2 of Navigating the Blitz! Today, we’re diving into the journey of MA, a scientist by day and a rising star in NFL Blitz by night. Known as MA, which stems from the fearsome “MA-121 Hunter” in Resident Evil, MA hails originally from Cleveland but now calls the vibrant Bay Area home. With a passion for games like StarCraft and a recent immersion into NFL Blitz, MA has quickly become a notable player in the community. Join us as we explore MA’s journey from newcomer to Rookie of the Year contender, and delve into the dynamics of their team, the Huevos Picantes, ahead of their clash with rival team Toronto Triple Triples.

Please introduce yourself. Is MA symbolic for anything?
Yoyoyo, I’m MA. I’m a scientist by day and an aspiring Blitz HOFer by night. The name MA comes from the monster “MA-121 Hunter” in Resident Evil, a favorite game of mine alongside StarCraft.

I understand you’re originally from the Bay Area. Have you always resided there, and what do you appreciate most about that region?
I’m originally from Cleveland, lived in Miami for awhile, then moved to the Bay Area a few years ago! There’s endless things to do in the Bay, whether it’s in the city or out in nature. I love it here and I’m California Dreamin’ every single day.

How did you first come across NFL Blitz, and what was your initial impression of the community that taught you how to play the game?
I recently got back into Brood War (for the 50th time) and was trying out different customs when I stumbled upon a Blitz game hosted by J. Cutty. He told me there’s a whole community with tournaments and everything for this game, which was wild to hear for a BW custom in 2024. Cutty offered to teach me how to play so that I could join in on the fun, and I’m not one to turn down a good breeding.

What aspects of Blitz and/or its community do you find most appealing?
Blitz is actually just a really good game. The teamwork, big plays, skill diffs, comeback potential.. it has everything you could want. But then the community makes it 100x better. I love how passionate everyone is toward the game and how much effort goes into the community. It’s really impressive and I just wanted to be a part of that.

Many consider you to be a rapidly rising stud in this game. To what do you attribute your quick learning curve, and do you credit any specific coach or mentor?
First, shoutout to J. Cutty. He took the time to teach me the core game mechanics while also giving me the confidence to keep going. He clearly understands this game on a deeper level than most. Since then: Lem, Teeoh, and Smith have been invaluable in helping me learn the nuances of the game and what actually makes the difference between winning and losing. It’s been incredibly fun so far, but it’s also easy to look good when you’re surrounded by All-Stars. I just need to keep my head down and put in the work.

One vivid memory of meeting you was witnessing your meticulous Blitz notes and film review sessions. Did you create those notes yourself, and how many hours a day did you dedicate to reviewing them? Were there any particular game tapes or players you emulated?
Those notes were (mostly) for real and it’s because I barely knew anything about football besides the basics. I don’t follow it much in real life and never paid attention to things like routes, positions, formations, etc., so I felt like I had to learn actual football and Blitz at the same time. There’s been a lot of long study nights and early morning cold showers, but it’s worth it. I won’t stop until I can catch like WCK and juke like Wayne.

Upon entering free agency, you were signed by Captain Teeoh for $30 Blitz Bucks, a substantial sum compared to others on draft night. How did it feel to join Teeoh’s team, the Huevos Picantes, and did this early show of faith boost your confidence?
Honestly at that time I had no conception of Blitz Bucks or how good any of the teams were. I think they just wanted to secure a dependable backup player and I was super stoked to get signed at all. It wasn’t until a bit later that I realized I was on a real contender team with some of the best players in the league. In hindsight, it was a super high IQ move by Teeoh since our team has benefited a lot from the bench depth.

In addition to Teeoh, how have the locker room vibes been with your other teammates?
Locker room vibes are immaculate. Everyone is level-headed and there’s a lot of open communication about what needs to be done to win. We have a lot of fun but also get serious when we need to. If there were ever any drama, I know that we’d be able to work through it and keep in the family, which isn’t something every team can say.

You are in contention for Rookie of the Year, likely competing with Intox, Sin, and BlueSquid*. Many believe you’re the frontrunner according to Vegas. Could you share your thoughts on this recognition and what winning would mean to you?
The only thing I’m focused on winning is the Superbowl. Everything else is a distraction.

Lastly, your perennial Blitz rival Sin, who entered the league alongside you, was signed for $2 less but has yet to play this season. He is part of the Toronto Triple Triples, whom you face this Saturday. Any thoughts or friendly banter ahead of this game? And any words of encouragement for him if he doesn’t get playing time?
Honestly I’m glad Sin hasn’t played yet or else the TTTs would be a lot more of a threat to the league. It’d be a mistake not to play him this Saturday, but I understand if they’re still desperate to figure out their playoff lineup.

Thank you for tuning in to another episode of Navigating the Blitz.