Ray Lewis Chosen for Madden 2005 Cover

May 7, 2004, 8:31 am EDT
Total comments: 8

Supposedly they picked him because of the focus on defensive innovations in this year's game.

ALL-PRO LINEBACKER RAY LEWIS TACKLES MADDEN NFL 2005 COVER FROM EA SPORTS

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. – May 7, 2004— Electronic Arts (NASDAQ: ERTS) announced that Ray Lewis, the All-Pro linebacker from the Baltimore Ravens and the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year, has been selected to be the EA SPORTS™ cover athlete and spokesman for Madden NFL 2005. Reflecting the game’s focus on defensive innovations this year, Lewis is the perfect representative for the cover of the best-selling football videogame franchise. Last year Madden NFL 2004 sold more than five million copies.

“I have always enjoyed working with EA SPORTS, but to be on the cover of Madden NFL 2005 is the ultimate honor,” said Lewis. “With the focus on defense in the game this year, I knew it was my chance to represent the most popular sports game ever made. Madden NFL Football is the game I have always played, and I am excited to be part of the family now.” Lewis’ image will appear on all Madden NFL 2005 packaging and merchandising.

Lewis is one of the game's best all-around players. He finished the 2003 season with a franchise-record 125 tackles and earned AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year honors for the second time (the first in 2000), becoming just the sixth player in NFL history to win multiple times. This past February he played in his sixth Pro Bowl in just eight years. In 2000 Lewis was only the second player in NFL history to win both the NFL Defensive Player of the Year and Super Bowl MVP (for Super Bowl XXXV).

In its 15th year and nearly 37 million copies sold, Madden NFL Football continues to stand out as the most popular football videogame franchise of all time with a combination of innovative new features and the most authentic football gameplay. Madden NFL Football is currently displayed in the Pro Football Hall of Fame—the only videogame to receive this honor. Madden NFL 2005, developed by EA-Tiburon, is slated to ship in August on all platforms. The game has not yet been rated by the ESRB.

EA SPORTS is the leading interactive sports software brand in the world. Its top-selling titles and franchises include Madden NFL Football, FIFA Soccer, NHL® hockey, NBA LIVE basketball, MVP Baseball™, NCAA® Football, and NASCAR® racing. The EA SPORTS home page is www.easports.com.

Talkback

nolimit19May 07, 2004

oh man i can't wait....madden is the best game ever.....*prepares for flame*

S-U-P-E-RTy Shughart, Staff AlumnusMay 07, 2004

Wasn't there some curse associated with being on the cover of Madden? Or was that a different sports game?

Uncle Rich AiAiMay 07, 2004

I wonder if Ray Lewis can pop out of a limo and stab players w/ a knife in the game?

KDR_11kMay 08, 2004

SUPER: Yep, Madden. There's a discussion at Slashdot on this.

What I don't get is if they call the game "Madden", shouldn't they have Mr. Madden on the cover?

thecubedcanuckMay 10, 2004

" I wonder if Ray Lewis can pop out of a limo and stab players w/ a knife in the game? "

I hope they have a team of just pro football murderer's and criminals. Oj as a running back with a with a knife in one hand would flat out rock.

kennyb27May 10, 2004

Quote
What I don't get is if they call the game "Madden", shouldn't they have Mr. Madden on the cover?

Oh, come on, who would buy it then?

thecubedcanuckMay 10, 2004

"What I don't get is if they call the game "Madden", shouldn't they have Mr. Madden on the cover?"

That mans noggin would never fit on such a little box.

KDR_11kMay 11, 2004

See? I toldya those small boxes suck, bring back the eurobox.

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