CHARLOTTE -- Turning on the Xbox or Wii and playing against a foe from a far-flung locale isn't unusual anymore -- and certainly not to the Panthers, many of whom play video games with a fervor matched only by what they reserve for Sundays on the field.
But when the opponent wears a military uniform and has just gotten off-duty from a day in the Middle East ... well, that's a different matter entirely.
Tuesday morning five Panthers -- Chris Harris, J.J. Jansen,
Not only did they play against each other in the Pros vs. G.I. Joes event, but cameras at both ends allowed the Panthers to truly go face-to-face with the soldiers as they matched lyric for lyric and beat for beat.
"It's unbelievable," said safety Chris Harris. "I got to experience the whole Iraq/Afghanistan thing in '06 and '07; I went to Afghanistan in '06 and Iraq in '07. To be out there in the conditions they have out there and to take their minds away from what they're doing and be able to have fun is great."
Internet and satellite connections provide the soldiers with communication that was unimaginable just 20 years ago. Back then, letters to and from home represented the most reliable means of keeping in touch; little separated the troops of those days with the ones stationed in Vietnam in the 1960s, Korea in the 1950s or in the European theatre during the two world wars of the 20th century.
It could scarcely be more different these days. The soldiers had a chance to speak with and see loved ones who'd gathered along with the Panthers players -- which was the true blessing of the event. Playing video games was simply the fun part.
"I'm happy for them," Harris said. "It's a gift from them to be doing what they're doing. They're the ones doing the real hard work."
"It makes you feel real good inside," added Johnson.
With game guitar in hand, Taylor glances up to see live video of troops stationed in the Middle East projected onto a big screen.
Harris took up residence behind the drum kit and started jamming away. "I'm a huge Rock Band fanatic. I have it at home and I play it all the time. It's real fun. I like playing the drums, but I'm not real bad on the bass, either."
Johnson preferred to play Madden with one of the local troops who visited the stadium. "I'm trash on (Rock Band); I can't play that," Johnson admitted. "I can play Madden, though."
