EA Sports’ Madden NFL video game is losing one of the great running backs in the league’s history, after Detroit Lions legend and Hall of Famer, Barry Sanders, announced his likeness will be longer be in the wildly popular video game.
Sanders took to social media on Tuesday afternoon to make the announcement, although he did not give a reason for his departure, leaving it up to speculation.
“I have decided after many years to discontinue my relationship with the brand & the products,” Sanders posted on X. “I apologize for those that were expecting me in the games.”
Sanders has had a long relationship with the football game, and he even graced the cover of Madden 25, which was released in August of 2013.
Hey @EASPORTS_MUT @EASPORTS @EAMaddenNFL gamers & fans…. Breaking News.
I have decided after many years to discontinue my relationship with the brand & the products.
I apologize for those that were expecting me in the games.
I leave you with #CyberBarry @Lions @NFL @NFLPA pic.twitter.com/w6mav1nILY
— Barry Sanders (@BarrySanders) April 30, 2024
It isn’t clear if Sanders’ relationship with the game will be done effective immediately or if it’ll happen in next year’s version. Either way, one of the most electrifying players to use in the game will no longer be available at some point.
