The celebration is being removed in light of recent events
A touchdown celebration animation is being removed from Electronic Arts’Madden NFL 23, in light of recent real-world events. The CPR celebration will be taken out of the game, after Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin collapsed on the field on January 2.
The celebration in question has the scoring player lie down the ground, while their teammates run over and give fake CPR to “revive” them. EA Sports toldCBS Sportsthat celebration will be removed from the game relatively soon.
“EA Sports is taking steps to remove the celebration fromMadden NFL 23via an update in the coming days,” a spokesperson told CBS.
Hamlin collapsed on the field during the Bills’ game against the Cincinnati Bengals on January 2. He went into cardiac arrest, and personnel had to perform CPR on Hamlin.
Damar Hamlin hassince been dischargedfrom a hospital in Buffalo and will continue rehabilitation at home.
On the field, off the field
This isn’tMadden NFL‘s first time seeing real-world events collide with in-game features. EAremoved former Las Vegas Raiders head coach Jon GrudenfromMadden NFL 22in 2021, following his resignation over remarks made in emails. Concussions and brain injuries have also beenan ongoing topicfor theMaddenseries, with some games working toaddress their portrayal of the issue.
And for sports on a grander scale, world politics come into play. Electronic Artsremoved the Russian national teamsfrom games likeFIFAandNHLin response to the invasion of Ukraine, in line with its partners at FIFA, UEFA, and the IIHF.
