In the age of bottomless content and cord-cutting, for people of a certain age, it can be difficult to imagine a time before streaming.
Services like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime and the like have become an ingrained part of life, the same way that televisions and cell phones have. During the COVID-19 pandemic and existence of widespread self-isolation, those streaming platforms are regular outlets for relaxation.
But not for Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Russell Teibert, unlike most people his age. The 27-year-old doesn't stream. He doesn't have Netflix, Amazon or anything else.
"I don't have Netflix, I don't have Crave or Amazon," Teibert admitted on a conference call with reporters. Goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau quickly chimed in to add: "Russ is still on the VHS stuff."
In case there are younger folk reading this: VHS ("Video Home System") was the precursor to DVDs, back when to you needed a physical copy of something to watch it at home. There was even this magically place called Blockbuster which you could pay to borrow them and bring them back. You could buy microwavable popcorn and other treats there, too.
While Teibert hasn't taken to the next wave of consuming content, he does have a TV.
"I've been watching BBC Life, I can watch it all day," Teiber said excitedly. "It's amazing. I've been learning about lions."
Crepeau sighed, before adding: "Every time we're on the road and I come back into the room, BBC Life is on the TV." The pair room together when the Whitecaps play away games.
Even without streaming services, Teibert still has plenty of options to fill his downtime in isolation. He reads books, listens to music on both his old school stereo and record player, as well as tending to plants.
"I might be a little bit of an old soul," he admitted.
Of course, Teibert, Crepeau aren't spending all of their time relaxing.
The group is keeping fit with six isolation sessions a week. The Whitecaps provided everyone with stationary bikes, weights and even a meal service to ensure nutrition continues.
"The club has done an outstanding job supporting players and everyone in the organization," Teibert said. "... One thing we've done incredibly well thus far is adapting to scenarios as they come to us."
