Photo credtt: Elana Levitan
Electronic Arts, the NFL and The Entertainment Software Association hosted a “Back to Football” Tailgate party at the historic Hawk and Dove to play the newly released Madden NFL 25 game prior to the real game: New England Patriots vs. New York Jets.
It’s been 25 years of tradition and growth for the NFL Madden video game and the latest star to come out is the Madden NFL 25, described as “out of this world” by one of its software creators Erik Huey.
Erik Huey, Craig Hagen and Robert Harmala
Guests gathered, still clad in work attire, to enjoy food, drink and of course to play football. As Madden was able to reinvent and remodel its product yet again, Hawk and Dove recently was able to reinvent and redesign itself into a hip, lively place. From the flat screen televisions in every corner to the upper and lower bar, it was the perfect venue to launch NFL Madden 25 in DC.
Huey, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs for ESA, (having already played the game before), took enjoyment in seeing how much fun it brought to others. The game itself, as Huey described, is a “much more dynamic game” and “the graphics are at a level you have never seen.”
Madden has long since embedded itself into our culture, allowing people the chance to be a part of the sport of football without ever actually stepping onto a field. With the new technology, it has the most realistic feel yet.
Among the partygoers was Kenneth Edmonds, Director of Government Relations & Public Policy for the NFL, who expressed the “hope [that the new game] continues to serve the fans.”
David Sutphen and Kenneth Edmonds
This night was one all about entertainment and the end was just as great as the beginning. After playing the game itself, everyone was able to gather around the bar and watch as the Jets played the Patriots at Gillette Stadium, the final score being a very close 13-10 Patriots. Overall the excitement generated should make everyone want to go out and buy this game as soon as possible just to be able to see what it would be like to be in a pro football game.
Football is an age-old classic American tradition that on this very night was able to help bring together those looking for some rest and reprieve from their jobs. Erik said it best when he stated, “ESA, NFL, video games, football and maybe a little alcohol, what’s not to love? It’s the heart beat of America” and the heartbeat was going strong.
