A track in Madden NFL 19 has censored the name of former quarterback Colin Kaepernick in what EA has called a “mistake”.
‘YG’ by Big Bank ft. 2 Chainz, Big Sean and Nicki Minaj was censored in-game to remove Kaepernick’s name, as heard in the tweet below.
bad enough @Kaepernick7 still not signed, but now they even edit his name out in this year’s @EAMaddenNFL during @BigSean verse, smh pic.twitter.com/3nvkB26z5r
— Mr. Changing Lives (@jeanclervil) August 2, 2018
‘YG’ is one of 31 songs on the Madden NFL 19 EA Trax soundtrack. The original verse is as follows: “You boys all cap, I’m more Colin Kaepernick.”
Kaepernick made waves in 2016 by kneeling during the national anthem, his last contracted year as a 49ers quarterback. His protest caused other NFL players to join him in taking a knee during the national anthem, attracting criticism from conservatives including USA President, Donald Trump.
Another Twitter user has added to the conversation, adding that EA did the same thing inside Madden NFL 18.
They been deleted my tweets for the this for the longest @EAMaddenNFL did it in #madden18 as well when @Kaepernick7 name become a cuss word pic.twitter.com/6t2WoGrEXX
— JaYLeel Starks (@JustAFunGuyHere) August 2, 2018
EA has acknowledged the error as a “mistake” and blamed confusion over licensing.
“We made an unfortunate mistake with our Madden NFL soundtrack,” an EA representative told IGN. “Members of our team misunderstood the fact that while we don’t have rights to include Colin Kaepernick in the game, this doesn’t affect soundtracks. We messed up, and the edit should never have happened.”
The publisher said the mistake will be corrected next week.
“We will make it right, with an update to Madden NFL 19 on August 6 that will include the reference again. We meant no disrespect, and we apologize to Colin, to YG and Big Sean, to the NFL, to all of their fans and our players for this mistake.”
It’s unclear if EA will correct the error in Madden NFL 18.
Kaepernick, meanwhile, remains unsigned and has filed a grievance against the NFL itself.
Madden NFL 19 officially launches on 10 August, but those in the EA Origin Premier subscription program on Windows PC have access to it now. Those on EA Access on Xbox One have access to a timed trial ahead of release.
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