Saquon Barkley of the New York Giants joined a couple other rookies in the trailer for the popular virtual football franchise’s next game.
Saquon Barkley scored a touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles on Saturday afternoon, sending MetLife Stadium into hysterics. Alas for New York Giants fans, the score came only in the form of pixels.
This weekend’s Electronic Entertainment Expo, better known as E3, unveiled the trailer for Madden NFL 19, the latest installment in Electronic Arts’ legendary Madden football video game franchise. The preview, narrated by Brooklyn-born actor Michael Kenneth Williams, features Barkley, the Giants’ first-round selection in April’s draft, dicing through the Eagles’ defense.
Barkley does take a hit from Eagles linebacker Jordan Hicks, but escapes Hicks later in the video, before avoiding cornerback Rodney McLeod for a presumed score. The video ends with Barkley engaging in a baseball-like celebration with quarterback Eli Manning.
Giants fans took to social media to give rave reviews to what could be a pixelated preview of the 2018 season.
EA GOT MY GIANTS STYLING ALL OVER THEM EAGLES #MADDEN19
— Jawn (@Jayoh30) June 9, 2018
Yoooo that new #Madden19 trailer has the boy @saquon looking like the beast he is!!! #BestRBinNFLIn3Years
— Lightz (@LiiGhTz0uT_x) June 9, 2018
That celebration NEEDS to happen. @saquon https://t.co/QPIXtOHCNg
— Jessie Lynn ★ (@jlcovert44) June 9, 2018
Even noted Madden player and Barkley teammate Damon Harrison got in on the fun.
Yo @saquon why do they have you breaking folks off like that??? You supposed to be good like that? ?? https://t.co/1oU2gam3rC
— Damon Harrison Sr. (@snacks) June 9, 2018
The Philadelphia faithful were not as kind to the trailer, which featured Barkley tearing up their defense.
Madden 19 Official Trailer Reveal. Does EA hate the Eagles?https://t.co/QtZSPluNiK
— Popular Stranger (@iiiiMike) June 9, 2018
Madden 19 showed a Giants RB running thru a Eagles D Line wide gap… yea this game fake
— heroinfather (@Snake300_) June 9, 2018
Barkley’s fellow rookies Baker Mayfield and Shaquem Griffin likewise feature in the trailer, as do future Hall of Fame receiver and Terrell Owens and active quarterback Dak Prescott, the latter of whom promotes the game’s Ultimate Team mode, which allows users to compete online with custom teams in a fantasy football-like setting.
Notably, the simulation of Griffin, a fifth-round pick of Seattle and one of the draft’s most inspirational stories, appears with an amputated left hand, much like his real-life counterpart. Griffin expressed his approval from his own account.
— shaquem griffin (@Shaquemgriffin) June 9, 2018
One of Barkley’s new teammates, receiver Odell Beckham Jr., previously graced the cover of Madden, winning a fan vote to appear on the packaging of Madden NFL 16. Beckham avoided the infamous Madden “Cover Curse”, which often befalls its recipient with injuries or inconsistency. He instead posted tallies of 1,450 yards and 13 touchdowns, both of which remain his career-highs.
This year’s cover athlete has yet to be announced, though Owens will appear on the game’s “Hall of Fame” edition, which grants users extra features in the Ultimate Team, allowing them to choose from a selection of Hall-of-Famers to be the cornerstone of their team.
The game is set for an Aug. 10 release, with the Hall of Fame edition available three days earlier.
