NFL players will report to training camp in mere days, but some of their minds aren't on the practice field just yet. Right now, they are reacting to how EA Sports employees rated them in the upcoming video game "Madden NFL 20," which will be released Aug. 2.
The player ratings were released on Monday by EA, and didn't take long to evoke some strong reactions:
Chips on their shoulders
You don't make it to the NFL without having an ego, and that was on full display for some players who believed that they were being disrespected.
Among them was the Cowboys' DeMarcus Lawrence, who signed a five-year, $105 million contract this offseason but wasn't among the five defensive ends deemed worthy of a 90 rating.
He's an 89, and he called for a boycott of the game in protest.
HOLD UP @EAMaddenNFL you not just going to disrespeck me like that with an 89 and get away with it....PUT. SOME. RESPECK. ON. https://t.co/ndDkGvo7gx.
— DeMarcus Lawrence (@TankLawrence) July 15, 2019
UNTIL THEN COWBOYS NATION IS ON MADDEN STRIKE! RT @dallascowboys Nation show em we ain't playin bih. pic.twitter.com/okVXyooI3l
Chargers receiver Keenan Allen had similar thoughts.
Keenan Allen says he isn't going to play Madden 20 after seeing his ratings 😂
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) July 15, 2019
(via @Chargers)pic.twitter.com/TjklX3HuSJ
Bears backup quarterback Chase Daniel broke down the numbers for some of his Chicago teammates.
Rightfully so, the Bears are not happy about their Madden 20 ratings pic.twitter.com/uZj3IMGbo1
— Red Line Radio (@RedLineRadio) July 15, 2019
And others had a bone to pick with the raters as well.
😂😂😂 y'all don't watch film I see @EAMaddenNFL hopefully one day y'all will get it right https://t.co/a09zuQWGik
— Mike Evans (@MikeEvans13_) July 15, 2019
89 speed 😂😂😂 that will def go up when the season comes lol https://t.co/NyeOZifhsF
— Emmanuel Sanders (@ESanders_10) July 15, 2019
Madden must've forgot I'm averaging 9 yards a carry. Crazy
— Michael Dickson (@mdcksn) July 15, 2019
What's a brotha gotta do to get his strength up in madden?? I mean i had 100 plus tackles last year in only 14 games hahaha @EAMaddenNFL
— Budda Baker (@buddabaker32) July 15, 2019
78.. @EAMaddenNFL
— Takkarist McKinley (@Takk) July 15, 2019
Lol I can't be that weak 😂
Second-guessed by 'Honey Badger'
Kansas City Chiefs safety Tyrann Mathieu didn't complain about his rating -- an 87, by the way -- but did chime in on other players he thought were slighted.
Shoutout madden 99 club but how in the hell isnt Tom Brady & Pat Mahomes not a 99.
— Tyrann Mathieu (@Mathieu_Era) July 13, 2019
Drew Brees should neve be under 95 EVER! EVER! EVER!
— Tyrann Mathieu (@Mathieu_Era) July 15, 2019
Ain't no way Deshaun Watson a 82.
— Tyrann Mathieu (@Mathieu_Era) July 15, 2019
No wonder kids are playing fornite now.
Desmond king & Chris Harris should neve be under 93. Period. Ever seen them play ?
— Tyrann Mathieu (@Mathieu_Era) July 15, 2019
All in fun
Patriots quarterback Tom Brady has been in the game since the Playstation 2 and original Xbox days, and while his accuracy makes him among the best in the real world and the virtual one, he's never going to outrun anybody. And he had fun with his tortoise-like 60 speed rating.
Submitting new evidence to be considered for my @MaddenNFL speed rating. You can't photoshop a video. pic.twitter.com/6h02i6oRqR
— Tom Brady (@TomBrady) July 15, 2019
EA had some fun with Brady, too.
Madden getting too realistic 😂
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) July 16, 2019
(via @thecheckdown) pic.twitter.com/KxehTX7Q2j
Garbage in, garbage out
Ravens safety Tony Jefferson probably summed up the feelings of most players after the ratings reveal.
Damn since I got the 84 madden rating I just purchased this shirt so fresh pic.twitter.com/pBmfnKz3ni
— Tony Jefferson (@_tonyjefferson) July 15, 2019
