Erin Thomson and I talked for an hour in the family home last week, and some of that involved sports. Steve Thomson, her father, works part-time at WCCO radio, primarily in sports, so this must have led Erin to have a favorite sports figure in the Twin Cities?
Gamer MiDNiTE serves as sports hero for Erin Thomson
Sports broadcaster's daughter ranges outside usual limits for hero.
December 31, 2019 at 7:05PM
Erin did mention one with considerable enthusiasm: "MiDNiTE."
Who dat?
"MiDNiTE … she's a well-known gamer," Erin said. "I had a chance to play against her a few times in Call of Duty in 2013. Now she's with the Vikings' team in the Call of Duty e-sports league that is starting up."
Thomson is quadriplegic from a swimming pool accident in 2009. She had done some gaming as a young girl, and took it up more seriously in high school, as an outlet after her injury.
She has a group of close friends in the Houston area who were discovered in gaming. And when Ashley Glassel of Prior Lake — "MiDNiTE'' in the gaming world — started livestreaming on Twitch in 2013, one person she encountered was "MizHoneyBadger."
That would be Erin Thomson, then a high school junior at Champlin Park.
"Two great things about MiDNiTE: She made a big impact as a woman in gaming, which is very male-dominated, and she also engaged and competed with viewers," Erin said.
Glassel spent several years with OpTic Gaming in Los Angeles, a legendary e-sports team. Wise Ventures, a company run by the Wilf family, obtained a franchise (for a reported $25 million) in Activision's Call of Duty e-sports league and made Glassel an early hire in August.
It was a bit of a gaming world scandal when the team nickname was leaked early. That would be RØKKR (right, I don't get it either).
Glassel is the director of content. She will provide videos and other matter promoting the team and its roster of players — including SILLY, Assault and Exceed, and the coach, Saintt.
I talked with Glassel this week and informed her that she had made a fine impression on Erin Thomson, who found entertainment in gaming as she dealt with her disability.
"I'm very happy to hear that," Glassel said. "And MizHoneyBadger … that name seems familiar. Wish her the best."
As does MizHoneyBadger wish for RØKKR, as the team represents Minnesota in the Call of Duty league that launches with a 12-team extravaganza Jan. 24-26 at the Minneapolis Armory.
The 7-2 Vikings take on the 2-7 Titans on Sunday after failing to score a touchdown in a win over Jacksonville last week. Check back here for live updates and analysis.
