Update: Following a social media firestorm, Electronic Arts (EA) has released a statement apologizing for censoring former San Francisco 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick's name out of YG's song "Big Bank."
“We made an unfortunate mistake with our Madden NFL soundtrack,” the statement issued by the studio read according to The Independent. “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.”
According to he Independent, Kaep's name was reportedly removed because of copyright issues. The player responsible for leading two years of protests against racial injustice has become an enemy of the Right and supporters believe EA's removal of his name was one of many attempts to discredit him.
Original story: Colin Kaepernick has ruffled enough bigoted feathers to have any mention of him scrubbed from Madden 2019.
YG’s song "Big Bank" is featured on the video game’s soundtrack and in the song's guest verse, Big Sean mentions Kaep.
"Feed me to the wolves now I lead the pack and sh*t/You boys all cap, I'm more Colin Kaepernick," Big Sean raps.
On Thursday, an attentive fan noticed the verse had been censored to omit the quarterback’s name. Instead, there’s a long pause.
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
According to TMZ, the censorship won’t stop there. Kaepernick will not be featured in the game even in downloadable content since he isn’t signed to a team.
This isn’t the first time Madden has given Kaepernick the Voldemort treatment.
His name was also removed from Madden '18, reports NBC Sports.
“Bars of Soap” by Mike WiLL Made-It was featured on the soundtrack and in it, he raps “She be hopin’ that I take a knee like Kaepernick, yes.” In that song, Kaep's name is also replaced by a pause.
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 (@YourAnAssholex2) August 2, 2018
A boycott might be brewing because fans ain’t happy about it:
People trying to erase Kaepernick like he never existed. Or his movement never existed. Or the people he’s inspired around the world don’t exist.
(Seven of Nine voice): They will fail.— mike freeman (@mikefreemanNFL) August 2, 2018
The name Colin Kaepernick is the equivalent of a curse word on Madden. Not to be breathed. How much lower is the NFL going to sink? How much more are you willing to overlook?
— Randolph Terrance (@realtalkforyou) August 2, 2018
So on Madden 19 the @NFL edited Colin Kaepernick ‘s named out of a song that was on a Big Sean verse . That’s petty and I will not be buying the game , and y’all shouldn’t buy it either .
— Bryce Alike' Oselen (@Bryce_Alike) August 2, 2018
This is completely ridiculous, these songs can contain lyrics about sex, drugs, and even some curse words but God forbid they have the name Colin Kaepernick in the song…guess I know what game I’m NOT getting. https://t.co/HT4mIKy6al
— Adam Wisneiwski (@awisniewski05) August 2, 2018
Dang its that's serious huh? Yall cant even speak Colin Kaepernick's name like he is the devil something?
— PRHOlific Blue (@cutiepie8791) August 2, 2018
@EAMaddenNFL yall keep players on the game that beat their wives but bleep out Kaepernick name in a song as if it was a cuss word cause he stood up for innocent black people being killed
— Quan (@_LetMeRock) August 2, 2018
They need to put some respeck on Kaepernick’s name!
Now, check these out:
Colin Kaepernick Hits Back At Blackballing NFL Owners In 5-Word Instagram Caption
