San Francisco 49ers: EA Sports’ ‘Madden NFL 17’ To Add Colin Kaepernick News To In-Game Commentary
For those who want to avoid thinking about the horrors and craziness of the “real world,” video games often provide an escape — or, with some games, a chance to vent anger and frustration out on innocent non-playable characters. Those wanting to get their mind off the newest controversy out of San Francisco regarding former starting quarterback Colin Kaepernick and his views on the national anthem through the latest football release from EA Sports may have a problem on their hands, then.
As GameSpot first reported Monday night, EA Sports will be adding some discussion regarding Colin Kaepernick and the national anthem to Madden NFL 17. Brandon Gaudin and Charles Davis, the new commentary team that replaced Jim Nantz and Phil Simms after four years, will talk about the situation during “Play Now” and Online modes — though not in the much-improved franchise mode.
A senior EA Sports publicist who was not named gave the following statement to the website.
“Kaepernick’s decision will be briefly mentioned in-game, reflecting our commitment to authenticity in ‘Madden NFL 17’. Overall, our new commentary will mainly center around on-field performance, as well as major news like trades, free-agency signings and injuries.”
“I am not going to stand up and show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color. To me, this is bigger than football and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder.”
Kaepernick’s protest has started many debates about not just the treatment of minorities in the land of the free, home of the brave, but also about the treatment of military and civil servants by “dissing” the flag. As the Inquisitr explained earlier today, people have begun to chide Kaepernick as being un-American, a communist/terrorist, and the very worst thing any athlete wants to hear: a distraction.
The same thing that arguably contributed most to the cuts of fellow athletes Tim Tebow, Michael Sam, and even former Baltimore Ravens offensive lineman Eugene Monroe, Kaepernick’s decision to be different and not adhere to the norm has sent just the opposite message of what he intended. Ironically, by standing up for what he believed in and urging others to express themselves as well, Kaepernick has created more hatred towards those who agree with the former NFC champion.
ESPN published a quote from Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh, whose brother, Jim, coached Kaepernick from 2011-14, regarding the former Nevada signal-caller and how not to be a distraction.
“Voltaire so eloquently stated, ‘I may not agree with what you say, but I’ll defend it until death your right to say it.’ That’s a principle that our country is founded on. I don’t think you cannot deny someone the right to speak out or mock or make fun or belittle anybody else’s opinion… You respect our team, our organization and the other players. You respect the mission that we’re on and what we’re trying to accomplish. None of us ever want us to detract or disrespect the efforts of all the other players on the football team. That’s the balance that all of us have to strike when we speak out about something like that.”
“I only wish Mr. Kaepernick could see the emotional and psychological challenges that our officers face following a fatal encounter. Some are so affected they never return to the streets. In short, Mr. Kaepernick has embarrassed himself, the 49er organization, and the NFL based on a false narrative and misinformation that lacks any factual basis.”
Right now, as he faces a potential cut from the organization that took a chance on him later this week, Kaepernick is left to ask himself two questions.
- Could he have handled the situation better and in a more mature way that would have kept him from any major controversy?
- Will any NFL team take a chance on him the way the 49ers did even after becoming a distraction for arguably the most chaotic organization in football?
As for Madden, general reception from both critics and fans alike with regards to the new broadcast team of Brandon Gaudin and Charles Davis has been mostly positive. The 28th edition of the series that once featured former NFL coach John Madden on the cover, Madden NFL 17 also has received praise as well for improved gameplay and the brand new “Play The Moments” feature that puts players in the game only during major moments (i.e. third and short, a drive needed to score before halftime, etc).
With that said, however, don’t expect to see Kaepernick in any promos for the game anytime soon. His star, unlike former campmate Russell Wilson’s, seems to have died out.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-eRfCTOZNY
[Photo by Omar Vega/Invision/Associated Press]
