For the first time since 2016, quarterback Colin Kaepernick will be a playable character in the popular "Madden NFL" video game series, publisher Electronic Arts announced Tuesday.

What You Need To Know

  • Colin Kaepernick is returning to the "Madden NFL" video game franchise Tuesday

  • Publisher Electronic Arts specifically reached out to Kaepernick to negotiate his inclusion in "Madden NFL 21"

  • Kaepernick has not played in the NFL since the 2016 season

  • With an 81 overall rating out of 100, Kaepernick is ranked above several quarterbacks currently playing in the NFL 

Starting Tuesday, Kaepernick can be added as the quarterback of any NFL team in "Madden NFL 21"'s Franchise Mode, a fan-favorite mode which allows players to manage a team (or teams) over the span of several seasons. 

According to ESPN's The Undefeated, Kapernick has not been featured in a "Madden" game since 2016's "Madden NFL 17."

In a statement, Electronic Arts called Kaepernick“ one of the top free agents in football and a starting-caliber quarterback," and said that fans and game developers alike wanted to see him return to the franchise. 

“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," they added.

Kaepernick has not played in the NFL since the 2016 season, when he played with the San Francisco 49'ers. On August 14, 2016, Kaepernick began protesting against systemic racism and police brutality during the national anthem. Nine days later, "Madden NFL 17" was released.

EA Sports told The Undefeated that "Madden" lost the rights to his likeness after he became a free agent following the 2016 NFL season. He was not included in subsequent releases, and his name was removed from two songs featured on the soundtracks of "Madden NFL 18" and "Madden NFL 19." EA Sports apologized, calling it an "unfortunate mistake."

 

“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," EA Sports wrote. 

According to The Undefeated, EA Sports specifically reached out to Kaepernick so they could include him in "Madden NFL 21." Kaepernick specifically requested that his in-game character have an Afro and that his signature celebration be a Black Power fist.

Kaepernick enters the game as the top-rated free-agent quarterback, at an overall rating of 81 (out of 100), placing him above several current NFL quarterbacks, including Cam Newton, Josh Allen, Baker Mayfield, Daniel Jones and Baker Mayfield.