MHS Grad Ryan Danczak Finds Success in Esports

Marshfield High School 2010 grad Ryan Danczak, 27, has turned his natural competitiveness and love of football into a lucrative hobby through the world of esports.

The former high school football player, now living in Tacoma, Washington, took 2nd place in the Madden NFL Club Championship in Redwood, CA in early February. The title comes with a $75,000 prize and a trip to the Madden Bowl in April for reaching the top four in the competition.

Danczak has played Madden video games since he was young and later found success as a player on the field.

“I’ve always been obsessed with football, and I’ve always liked video games, so it’s kind of a perfect mixture for me,” he said.

In recent years the tournaments have attracted major sponsors and are lucrative opportunities for top players. At the Redwood tournament, Danczak qualified out of a pool of 43,000 to become one of 32 players to represent an NFL team – in his case, the Vikings.

Though he once had aspirations to play college football, those dreams came to a disappointing halt after an injury in high school. Though he was able to keep playing thanks to the support of his coaches, football scholarships would no longer be a possibility.

Fortunately, Danczak found a competitive outlet when a college roommate at Winona State introduced him to the world of online gaming for profit. Though today he plays less than he did in college due to full-time responsibilities like teaching math and physical education, becoming a top player in virtual football is about more than practice.

“A lot of it’s like a chess match,” he explained. “It’s less about playing constantly and more about having a plan and a strategy going into the game.”

Danczak has competed in multiple tournaments since college and was present at a qualifying tournament last August in Jacksonville, which turned to tragedy when a fellow competitive gamer walked into the Game Bar and opened fire. Two were killed, plus the gunman.

The victims were Elijah Clayton, 22, and Taylor Robertson, 28. Robertson was one of Danczak’s best friends and the two had played Madden together for years. Right before the shooting, Robertson walked away from his spot next to his friend to watch a different game.

“It was a living nightmare,” said Danczak. “But I think when you go through something like that, the people that you go through it with, that’s a bond you’ll always have. It’s really made the brotherhood for the Madden community a lot stronger.”

After the shooting Danczak wasn’t sure if he’d ever be able to play Madden again, but his wife and friends encouraged him to return to his passion.

“I’m glad I did,” he said. “I wouldn’t have made this Vikings tournament, and I wouldn’t have got second in the tournament…I’m thinking it’s part of the healing process.”

Danczak will continue to represent the Vikings in future tournaments. Growing up, his choice of team made for lively discussions with the Packers fans who surrounded him.

However, he’s proud of his roots.

“I wouldn’t change growing up in Wisconsin for the world,” he said. “I’m very proud of my home state and my hometown of Marshfield.”

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