“Madden NFL 19” cuts Colin Kaepernick’s name from the soundtrack

Chris
Carlson/AP

• A song in the upcoming “Madden NFL 19” censors a
  reference to former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin
  Kaepernick.
• The song — YG’s “Big Bank” — features a verse by Big
  Sean that directly references Kaepernick’s last name. His name
  is replaced with silence.
• It’s unclear why the song is censored, but it’s
  presumably related to Kaepernick’s ongoing battle with the NFL.
  He is engaged in a collusion grievance with the
  NFL. 
• Kaepernick repeatedly took a knee in protest
  during the national anthem while he was still with the San
  Francisco 49ers. 

In a bizarre move, this year’s “Madden” game is censoring an
in-game mention of former San Francisco 49er Colin Kaepernick.

The reference pops up in a song on the game’s soundtrack — YG’s
“Big Bank,” which features several other musicians. On Big Sean’s
verse, he says, “You boys all cap, I’m more Colin Kaepernick.”

But in the game, according
to a video shared widely online on Thursday, the song cuts
Big Sean’s verse when he says “Kaepernick,” like it were a
pejorative:

Kaepernick is
currently involved in a collusion grievance with the NFL,
which may help explain why his name is being wiped from the big
annual NFL-licensed video game.

He argues that NFL teams conspired to keep him unemployed due to
his protest of racial inequality and police brutality throughout
the past two years.
Kaepernick was the first to begin kneeling in protest during
the singing of the national anthem at NFL games.

Despite a strong record in the NFL, Kaepernick remains a free
agent since leaving the 49ers.

EA Sports didn’t respond to a request for comment — you can watch
the full video for YG’s “Big Bank” right here: