Winning, Nothing Else Matters

Before my current writing life, there was The Hilltop, Howard University’s and the Nation’s Oldest Black Collegiate Newspaper, where many of the questions and themes I still explore first found their voice. What follows are my early published works, preserved in their original form.

From The Hilltop Archives

Originally published in The Hilltop, Howard University — October 17th, 2003

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Winning, Nothing Else Matters

Every gamer who competed in the Madden Challenge was a loser. It doesn't matter if you were perfect through division play and made it to the playoffs. You could have went to the final four and played for the championship game. 

The goal, however, was to win and if that goal wasn't achieved, you were a failure.

The one who went a perfect 9-0, who silently but effectively handled his competitors, was Mukala "Muk" Sikyala.

Born in the Democratic Republic of Congo and a U.S. citizen for a year and a half, Sikyala was a running back for the Chargers practice squad.

The fact that he had anything to do with the NFL is irrelevant; either way it's sliced, reality or analog based, Sikyala knows the game of football.

Gamers who came to Union Station on Saturday, October 11 were greeted by 512 others and their chances of being the PLAYMAKER who walked away with the DC title was slim to none.

"I came low key. I thought my game was good and I wanted to see where my game was," said Sikyala.

He arrived at 8 am and was the 101st of 132 walk-ins who got the chance to fill the void of empty Madden Challenge positions.

But to go 4-0 in his division with two-minute quarters was no easy task. Sikyala had no choice but to bring his A game.

"Two minute quarters are really tough," he explained. 

The key for every gamer was ball control, clock management and team selection.

Sikyala ran the whole tournament with the Rams after debating with the Falcons and Eagles. It was his Ram defense and ability to make the big play at the right time that won him every game. 

Not to mention practice.

Those who were real Madden heads were part of an entourage of fellow gamers and friends who helped each other improve.

To say they practice all the time is an understatement. These gamers eat, sleep and drink Madden. Some gamers played so much that by the time the challenge came they were burnt out. 

"I find a way to play everyday, but I didn't want to overdo it," Sikyala warned.