In a statement released on social media regarding the upcoming Madden NFL 21, EA turned its attention to showing solidarity with the reaction of the public to the murder of George Floyd in Minnesota by police officer, Derek Chauvin. The officer has been arrested and charged with the crime.
Since the killing on May 25, widespread protests have gathered momentum across the US and show no signs of letting up — especially in the face of social media videos depicting extreme police aggression.
Now, EA have said that the Madden NFL 21 announcement is not a priority given current events, joining several other companies in the video games and esports industries in offering their support and condemnation of racism.
"We stand with our African American/Black community of friends, players, colleagues and partners," the statement from EA reads.
"Our immediate attention is on actions we can take to drive change against the unjust treatment and systemic bias that is plaguing the nation and our world."
Football is a sport that runs deep in the Black community, and the Madden NFL series has long had black players grace its covers. A report by The Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport in 2018 showed that 70% of players in the NFL are African-American, yet the league has been embroiled in its own controversies surrounding racism for some time.
More awareness was brought to the long-standing Black Lives Matter movement after 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick took a knee during the national anthem before a 2016 preseason game in support of the movement, and in protest at police brutality and racial injustice.
"I am not going to stand up to 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," he said at the time.
This led to several other players following the peaceful protest, but divided opinion among Americans and the perceived insult to the anthem. This escalated, with President Trump calling on NFL owners to fire any player who protested.
Kaepernick was released from the 49ers at the end of that season, and despite being one of the best quarterbacks in the league at the time, has since been unable to find a team. This led to him filing a grievance against the NFL for collusion.
EA's move makes sense in this context, yet the reaction to the announcement on social media was mixed. Many pointed out a previous controversy in which the publisher removed Kaepernick's name from a song by Big Sean included in Madden NFL 19, something they quickly retracted and apologised for.
No new date has been announced for the rescheduled Madden NFL 21 announcement as yet.
In an update posted on social networks, Sony have postponed the Future of Gaming showcase event originally planned for this Thursday, June 4. No new date has been given for the rescheduled event.
