EA Sports revealed the cover athlete for their new “Madden 24” of the popular video football game Wednesday.
Buffalo Bills quarterback and Firebaugh native Josh Allen tweeted “a childhood dream come true” at the news of being the featured player.
The Madden game, which was first introduced in 1988, has sold more than 130 million copies and is the only video game licensed by the NFL.
A first-round draft pick in 2018, Allen and the Bills finished at the top of the AFC East in 2022, losing to the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC divisional round.
Allen Key Part of Bills’ Revival
Since joining the Bills, Allen has led the team to four playoff appearances and three consecutive division titles.
Allen played for Reedley City College before attracting the attention of NFL scouts at the University of Wyoming.
EA Sports chose legendary coach and sports commentator John Madden for the ’23 cover. Before Allen was revealed, reporters had floated names such as Philadelphia Eagles QB Jalen Hurts, Minnesota Vikings Wide Receiver Justin Jefferson, and Kansas City Chiefs Tight End Travis Kelce.
Allen completed the 2022 season with 4,283 passing yards and a 63.3% completion rate.
