Plenty have criticized the Madden video game series for its tendency to spurn realism in the favor of arcade-like fun over the years. It's glitchy, cartoonish and, frankly, nothing more than a roster update more often than not. Not to mention whatever this is.
The game has one vocal admirer, however: Dolphins wideout Tyreek Hill. The perennial All-Pro gave Madden a huge stamp of approval on Thursday, telling reporters that he uses the game's rating system to gauge just how difficult a matchup will be.
“So Madden has a good tell of how good players are,” Hill said. “So, I just played Madden the night before and I go look at all the ratings.
"So let’s say for instance, they had Steve Nelson and Derek Stingley over there. Two phenomenal players by the way. I just go get on Madden, I go to the EA rosters then I scroll down and see what their awareness is, their speed he is and their strength, and that’s how I get a good tell on them.”
MORE: Why Tyreek Hill believes he'll become first NFL receiver to reach 2,000 yards in a season
Check out the clip here:
Tyreek Hill says he just uses Madden to find out about his opponents every week. 😂 pic.twitter.com/KFj9lEINaX
— Ari Meirov (@AriMeirov) August 18, 2023
Hill indicated that it was Madden, not film study, that has made him such a force over the years. The future Hall of Famer even admitted to watching little-to-no film in the game he has dominated for so long. He's got a PhD in evading stout coverage, so you can't really blame him.
“Believe this or not, I don’t watch no film," Hill said. "I just know the game of football inside out. I’ve been playing this game since I was a kid, since I was like, five, six, and I grew up in a football household. Plus, my dad was a coach."
MORE: Who is Bill Belichick's replacement in Madden 24?
So, Hill's natural-born gifts continue to shine through. He's perhaps the most dangerous player in football, a teal-colored typhoon who lays waste to those attempting to keep him within their grasps. With 8,340 yards and 79 receiving touchdowns to his name over the course of his glittering career, it seems things are going swimmingly.
Next up for Hill? Attempting to break the 2,000 yard plateau in 2023. If he does, don't be surprised to see him thanking Madden.
