GREEN BAY, Wis., Jan. 16 (UPI) — Between the wind sprints, tackle drills and strength conditioning common at NFL practices, members of the Green Bay Packers have taken to sharpening their minds with the popular strategic board game Settlers of Catan.
“At first we’re like, ‘What the hell is this?” Packers center Corey Linsley told The Wall Street Journal.
“Brick? Wool? What kind of game is this?’”
Settlers of Catan has players amass basic resources to create settlements, cities and roads, determining the winner based essentially based on who has strongest functioning economy, measured in the game by victory points.
“We are completely addicted to it, we play it whenever we can,” said tight end Justin Perillo.
The game took off with the Packers after it was introduced in the locker room by starting tackle David Bakhtiari, who may take the game more seriously than his teammates.
“I was just trying to play some music — some Pearl Jam, and [Bakhtiari] wouldn’t let me,” described backup quarterback Matt Flynn.
“He wanted to hear the players talk and strategize. He was very serious. They take it to a different level.”
One reason the game became so popular among the Packers is the relatively limited entertainment options available in Green Bay.
“We’re always looking for something to do, it’s cold. No one wants to go outside, better find something.”
The area’s shortage of entertainment for adults may be why even newly-crowned NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers can’t help but act like a college freshman in the Packers locker room, randomly quizzing teammates about history and spouting lines from The Princess Bride.
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