Support player for the Los Angeles Valiant, Stefano "Verbo" Disalvo, is a deep character. As we lead into the entrance in Stage 3, Verbo is a vocal leader for this LA Valiant roster and he has a lot to say. In a new feature put by the LA Valiant, he talks about his journey becoming a professional player and his religious journey. He stopped by to talk with Esports Heaven about his story, his faith and how he has progressed through the Overwatch League.

Now you and the LA Valiant put out this great video that attempts to explain your story and some of your personal life. In it, you explain that you rely on your faith as an anchor to keep you grounded. That said, would you ever consider becoming a pastor or studying Theology?

I feel like I can, and should be, helping the youth in today's society. I don’t really have a clear answer as to where I’ll be headed in the future, but my purpose is slowly being revealed as I continue on this journey.  My faith will always keep my grounded wherever I end up and play a huge role in the decisions I make as time progresses.

At the beginning of the video, there is an inspirational quote that sets the tone for the video. What does Jeremiah 29:11 mean to you? Would you say that is a quote that you come back to and reflect on often?

Jeremiah 29:11 reminds me that I was not put here to fail and be someone incapable of leaving a mark on the world. The scripture says there are plans to prosper my life, BUT only as much as I alone allow. This means not to let depression, anxiety and all other negativity we as humans naturally allow in our minds and hearts limit me.

Stage 3 is just around the corner and the Los Angeles Valiant has made some big changes to its roster. For you, what have been some big obstacles that you’ve have to conquer personally and how much of an impact did faith play a part in that resolution?

The biggest obstacle I had to conquer personally was finding success and happiness in an environment where winning meant everything, as goes along with being a professional. Our team, especially in Stage 2, struggled - inside and out of the game. It wasn’t easy for any of us. Yet my faith made me realize we sometimes need to be pulled back a little to get launched further… like a slingshot.

Something that I’ve always been interested in, and a topic that you touch on in the video, is the separation between “player” and “person” and you mention some differences between “Stefano” and “Verbo.”

While the video was being filmed I was asked, “Who is Stefano Disalvo?” I was shocked at how difficult it was to answer such a question. When I was asked to ‘describe Verbo,’ I could easily answer that because I named myself Verbo online around the same time I gave my life to Christ where I found a sense of identity and purpose.  

In the video, you touch on how you found your gaming handle of Verbo through going to church. Do you feel like handles, or names for that matter, carry a lot of weight and significance to the person or thing they represent? I’d love to hear your thoughts on that.

I certainly think handles can carry a ton of weight and significance. I would say it even represents a small fragment of a first impression. I’m now mostly known as Verbo to the esports community, my teammates, social media, fans and viewers. Why wouldn't I want that to mean something significant?

I’d consider you one of the more well-spoken and articulate players in the Overwatch League. If and when your time comes to hang up the mouse and keyboard, have you thought about what esports career path you’d want to pursue? Would you even want to stay in esports?

I definitely want to stay in esports because I believe that’s where I can have the greatest impact on youth. I believe a majority of gamers, like myself, use video games as an escape. I see a clear need for help, and I have been given a platform to provide assistance, in whatever form it might take. I plan on building upon this platform I have today and try to continue to have a positive impact on others whenever I can.

Looking back through your interviews, you mentioned that the old Immortals roster did, in fact, get invited to OGN’s APEX Overwatch league. Reflecting back on the decision to decline the invitation, do you ever think back and wish that you could have competed in the tournament?

At the time, our team was not an ideal state to attend APEX. I'm glad we made not to go decision despite that fact I was the one pushing our team to participate. We wouldn't have acquired Kariv & Fate or win Overwatch Contenders Season 0 if we went so I'd say that worked out well. Everything happens for a reason.

You’ve been around for a long time. From your days of Bold Purpose Gaming now to playing on stage, in the Overwatch League, I have got to ask; does it feel real yet? I know you and the Immortals roster toughed it out during the drought period and what not, but has it been surreal at all to finally see Overwatch esports taking off?

I can confidently say it does, in fact, feel real. The Overwatch League is competitive and intense as much as it is professional and organized, showing why esports is a great industry to be part of. I still remember when I got access to the Overwatch beta back in January 2016.  I was anticipating Overwatch to fail as an expert game, so it took me about 2-3 months to quit League of Legends and finally start playing Overwatch full time … little did I know then where it would eventually lead.

Joseph “Volamel” Franco has followed esports since the MLGs of 2006. He started out primarily following Starcraft 2, Halo 3, and Super Smash Bros. Melee. He has transitioned from viewer to journalist and writes freelance primarily about Overwatch and League of Legends. If you would like to know more or follow his thoughts on esports you can follow him at @Volamel.

Images courtesy of Blizzard Entertainment and OGN