James Bardolph, one of the casters at the BLAST Pro Series Moscow event, sent out an invite to infamous NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden to come join the commentary table, and the Moscow resident actually replied.
Sometimes it pays to just shoot your shot, whether you’re in or out of the server. During the Natus Vincere-ENCE match in the second round of BLAST Pro Series Moscow matches, James Bardolph sent out a tweet while he was casting with Daniel ‘ddk’ Kapadia, asking one Edward Snowden to join the desk.
I know you can see my tweets @Snowden, come and tricast with @ddkesports and I at @BLASTProSeries. Can promote your book!
— James Bardolph (@jamesbardolph) September 13, 2019
Amazingly, Snowden responded, and revealed that he’s an old school fan of Counter-Strike. While he declined to cast, Bardolph invited Snowden to at least attend the event, and promised to promote Snowden’s new book “Permanent Record” if he did.
Bardolph made numerous references to the Twitter interaction during the remainder of the match, even wondering aloud how he could get a copy of the new book.
Appreciate the response! Welcome to come and watch as well. There will be a big attendance in Dinamo and there’s a place for you on the guest list if you want. Can promote your book as well let’s get it
— James Bardolph (@jamesbardolph) September 13, 2019
The replies to Bardolph and Snowden’s tweets were littered with funny responses, with people asking Snowden to leak FaZe and Fnatic’s new rosters, questioning what timeline we’re in, and expressing their surprise at his CS familiarity, among others.
One reddit user commented, “if snowden shows up to a csgo tournament before gaben i swear to god.”
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Snowden exploded into the news in 2013, when he leaked top secret documents about surveillance conducted by the US National Security Agency. Snowden obtained these documents while working for Booz Allen Hamilton, a defense and intelligence contractor.
Snowden saught asylum in Russia after he was charged with espionage and theft of government property.
The stage is set. #BLASTProSeries #Moscow pic.twitter.com/NpssxnBJcs
— BLAST Pro Series (@BLASTProSeries) September 13, 2019
Snowden has remained in Russia since then, and in the past few years has gotten married, became president of the Freedom of the Press Foundation, and has now written a book. Here’s hoping he graces the BLAST Moscow event with his presence.
Day one of BLAST Moscow ended with some surprising results. ForZe won both of their maps against ENCE and AVANGAR, thus taking maps off grandfinalists in the two more recent majors. MiBR and Ninjas in Pyjamas ended their day with with one win and won tie, after the two teams played to 15-15 against each other on Train.
Na’Vi and ENCE both got off to a bad start, as they each lost their first round map, and then tied each other in the second round.
