EA Sports Apologizes, Promises to Put Kaepernick Lyric Back in Madden Track

EA Sports has apologized for removing a lyric referencing Colin Kaepernick, from the soundtrack to “Madden NFL 19.” The company also promises to correct the issue by putting the controversial former quarterback’s name back on the track.

According to a statement from EA Sports:

‘We made an unfortunate mistake with our Madden NFL soundtrack,’ EA said in a statement. ‘Members of our team misunderstood the fact that while we don’t have rights to include Colin Kaepernick in the game, this doesn’t affect soundtracks. We messed up, and the edit should never have happened. 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.’

The original version of the song, with the lyric about Kaepernick, read:

Feed me to the wolves now I lead the pack and s–
You boys all cap, I’m more Colin Kaepernick
I’m rare as affordable health care

Here is an audio clip of the soundtrack from YG and Big Sean, with Kaepernick’s name scrubbed from the track:

Rapper Big Sean voiced his displeasure at EA Sports’ decision on Twitter. A move that got the attention of Colin Kaepernick:

Colin Kaepernick and fellow former 49er Eric Reid have filed a grievance against the NFL, alleging that owners colluded to keep them from getting signed onto new teams. Kaepernick’s lead attorney Mark Geragos has promised big developments in the case, soon.

Follow Dylan Gwinn on Twitter @themightygwinn