NFL Video Game Madden 21 Includes Colin Kaepernick As Quarterback

In what is likely going to be viewed as peak virtue signaling, EA Sports has announced that in their latest edition of their hugely popular Madden 21 video game, users will be able to play as Colin Kaepernick.

This is, of course, despite Kaepernick not having played in the NFL in four years.

EA announced on Twitter on Tuesday: “The team at EA Sports, along with millions of Madden NFL fans, want to see him back in our game.”

pic.twitter.com/R2agq5B64p

— Madden NFL 21 (@EAMaddenNFL) September 8, 2020

They continued: “Knowing that our EA Sports experiences are platforms for players to create, we want to make Madden NFL a place that reflects Colin’s position and talent, rates him as a starting QB, and empowers our fans to express their hopes for the future of football. We’ve worked with Colin to make this possible, and we’re excited to bring it to all of you today.”

Their statement referred to Kaepernick as “one of the top free agents in football and a starting caliber quarterback.”

His player rating is said to have gone from a 74 overall in Madden 17, the last year he was legitimately in the video game, to an 81 in Madden 21, after not being in the league for 4 years. 

Kaepernick also has his own personalized introduction in the game and – when he scores a touchdown – he holds up a “black power” fist. 

When you score a touchdown with Colin Kaepernick in #Madden21 and choose “signature” celebration, Kap holds up the Black Power fist. pic.twitter.com/rclVIFjXze

— Jordan Heck (@JordanHeckFF) September 8, 2020

Earlier this year, the NFL issued a mea culpa on Kaepernick, saying it should have supported his protests in 2016 when he kneeled during the national anthem to protest systemic racism and inequality. 

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said: “We, the National Football League, condemn racism and the systematic oppression of black people. We, the National Football League, admit we were wrong for not listening to NFL players earlier and encourage all to speak out and peacefully protest.”

Of course, if he’s so oppressed, Goodell could just make him the league commissioner and step down. And we’re not football analysts, but we have a strange feeling this is the closest Kaepernick is ever going to get to being back on a football field.