Meet the dark horses and underdogs of the ITK Bowl 2022

The ITK Bowl 2022 is here! Esports athletes and IRL pro athletes are going head to head in a Call of Duty: Vanguard tournament live from the Hollywood hills.

Teams of two will face off but only one will win the grand prize of $10,000 to a charity of their choice. Teams One through Six already shared their thoughts (and trash talk) about gameplay and strategy. But there are still a few “dark horses” left in the competition. 

Team Seven 

Sydnee Goodman, LA Guerrillas

Goodman is a gamer, host and content creator. While she isn’t a pro gamer, she plans to use that as an advantage. 

“I think that we’re going to be looked at as the underdog here in terms of pure skill level,” Goodman tells In The Know. “Everybody can spend their energy… maybe underestimating us, but we’re just going to kind of sneak around through the back. We have heart.”

Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens

Andrews is a tight end for the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens. He set the Raven’s record for receptions and receiving yards in a single season and was on the 2021 All-Pro Team. He hopes to use some of the football players’ weaknesses on the field against them in the game. 

“Fred [Warner]’s a really good player,” Andrews says. “When you’re on offense and you’re a receiver and you’re a tight end, you’re on attack though. You make the decisions. As a defensive guy and a linebacker like him, he’s reacting. So I think, especially in video games, that gives you an upper hand.”

Team Eight

Alex “Rubonez” Rubens, LA Guerrillas

Rubonez is the general manager of LA Guerrillas. He thinks his fast play style will score him the big win. 

“I think I’m pretty fast. I’d rather go out swinging than sit there in the corner camping,” Rubonez says. “No matter what, we’re going to get the vibes on point. We’re going to get the comms on point. And we got the guns, so we’re going to knock these guys out.” 

Stephen Jackson, NBA Champion 

Jackson is a former pro basketball player and co-host of the All The Smoke podcast. While he’s worn many jerseys for many teams, including the New Jersey Nets, Los Angeles Clippers and Atlanta Hawks, he won the 2003 NBA championship with the San Antonio Spurs. 

He has only been playing Call of Duty for three years, but he says he’s got the skills to put up a fight.

“I got a good eye from basketball, so I see guys all over the map,” Jackson says. “I get to the middle of the circle, find somewhere to loot, and get my first loadout and try to hurry up and get ghost. And the element of surprise works well on Call of Duty.” 

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