The NFL Hall of Famer talks about 25 years of video game football in this exclusive interview.
How does being on the cover of Madden NFL 25 compare to your NCAA Football 13 cover honor?
Being on the cover of NCAA Football 13 was real special, especially since I got to share the cover with RG3 (Robert Griffin III). But getting my own cover on Madden 25 is probably more of an honor. Being out of the game for as many years as I have, the only way I could truly have accomplished that is because of all the fans that supported me. Over the years Madden has captured the essence of the game and the designers have been truly generous to me over the years and have really introduced me, and the guys that have played in my era, to a new generation of fans through the video games.
When did you realize that Madden games had become a pop culture phenomenon?
It’s been a pop culture phenomenon for quite some time. After the first couple of years it became a must-have for many people, including hardcore fans and more moderate fans of the game. Having young boys of my own I’ve had the game in my home for quite a while. The thing about it is actual NFL players truly love playing the game as well.
What are your thoughts on how far Madden has come since you retired from the NFL?
The game has always evolved just as football has evolved. It certainly has changed since I’ve been out since the late ‘90s. Certain elements of the game are still intact, but other elements are different. It’s still a great game that people can support and it’s still extremely popular. It continues to grow, and some the essence of the game is still in place. Just like real football, everything goes in cycles. There’s been a trend towards passing, but then the last year or so you’ve seen some teams have success running the ball. Those are some of the things that are interesting that have happened since I’ve been out of the game.
