The battle between Colin Kaepernick and the NFL continues to solidify itself into obvious truth in origin. The release of popular sports video game Madden NFL 19 is on the horizon and the official soundtrack has already started to bring in the season. On Thursday (Aug. 2), fans of the EA Sports game noticed an unforeseen edit on the soundtrack. On the third verse of YG’s “Big Bank,” when Big Sean takes the waves, a lyric where he mentions the name of Kaepernick is censored off of the track as if it is a profane term.
It’s disappointing and appalling @NFL & @EA took @Kaepernick7’s name out of my verse on Big Bank for Madden 19, like it was a curse word. When he's not a curse, he's a gift! Nobody from my team approved any of this.
— Sean Don (@BigSean) August 2, 2018
The Detroit rapper took to Twitter to express his discernment with both the NFL and EA Sports for the unwarranted act saying the act was “disappointing” and “appalling.” He went on to recognize the former San Francisco 49ers quarterback as a gift and not a curse.
“It’s disappointing and appalling @NFL & @EA took @Kaepernick7’s name out of my verse on Big Bank for Madden 19, like it was a curse word. When he’s not a curse, he’s a gift!” he tweeted.
Sean ended the tweet by clarifying no representatives from his team granted the censorship. “Nobody from my team approved any of this.”
The song, “Big Bank” also features Nicki Minaj and 2 Chainz and the main act of the track, YG also took to social media to express his discernment with the NFL and EA Sports, demanding an apology to all artists on the song and Kaepernick. “EA Sports, NFL, whoever…y’all owe me, Big Sean, 2 Chainz, Nicki Minaj, and the homie Kaepernick an apology,” he vocalized. “I’ll be looking for an apology soon.”
Well, EA Sports did not hesitate to issue an apology. The game publisher shared the apology on Twitter and made sure to put it in the format of a reply to quarterback’s network handle.
No doubt we messed up and we look forward to getting it right. pic.twitter.com/ambzDfcdDR
— EA SPORTS Madden NFL (@EAMaddenNFL) August 3, 2018
“We made an unfortunate mistake with our Madden NFL soundtrack,” the statement reads. “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 have never happened.”
They went on to ensure they will undo the edit and the update will be available on Aug. 6 followed by an official apology. “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.”
So far, Big Sean, Kaepernick, YG, 2 Chainz, and Nicki Minaj have not responded to the said apology to which they owe no obligation to do so. Aug. 6 is most likely what they are all waiting for. To ensure the reference has been placed back on the track and to seal its position on the publisher’s game soundtrack.
