Former NFL player overcame video game addiction

By Staff Writer

Many teenagers throughout the country admire the accomplishments of superstar athletes. For children battling video game addiction, the story of former All-American football player Quinn Pitcock could provide hope and inspiration.

Pitcock was a standout player at Ohio State University in 2006 before being drafted by the Indianapolis Colts the following year. After playing just nine games as a pro, the defensive tackle's life was derailed by his addiction to video games, the Dayton Daily News reports.

He said he used video games to hide from his feelings of depression and anxiety, but the symptoms worsened.

"I refer to video games as my drug of choice. I became addicted to it," Pitcock said to the Daily News.

Earlier this year, Pitcock sought help for his addiction and the results have been positive; he started playing football again, trying out for the Seattle Seahawks this past summer.

According to a study published in Psychological Science last year, about one in 12 teens show signs of behavioral addiction to video games, as reported by www.PsychCentral.com.