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Texas QB Arch Manning Gives Bizarre Reason For Opting Out Of EA Sports College Football Video Game

Originally posted on Gridiron Heroics | By Matthew Brown | Last updated 3/5/24

The hype around the EA Sports college football video game is real. However, one player, Texas QB Arch Manning, will not appear in it. Many players have chosen to opt in giving them $600 and a free copy of the game along with being immortalized in a video game. Manning decided not to take the deal and gave a bizarre reason for it.

Texas QB Arch Manning On EA Sports Video Game Opt Out

According to an ESPN report, Manning wants to wait until “he was the guy” at Texas before being in a video game. He is the third quarterback on the roster behind Quinn Ewers and Maalik Murphy. While the former number-one overall recruit will likely be the starter for the Longhorns in the future, Ewers is the clear starter for 2024. Manning apparently didn’t want to be in a video game that had him as a backup.

A Bizarre Reason

I’m trying to follow the logic on this one. I could understand a protest for the compensation or being taken advantage of, but this line of reasoning is bizarre. Is it a pride thing for Manning? He can’t stand to see himself as a 71 overall quarterback in a simulation video game? There doesn’t seem to be a downside in opting out. Furthermore, while they can’t use his name, EA Sports will put QB #16 on the Texas roster. Everyone will know that it is supposed to be Manning. It seems silly not to get something out of it.

Manning will continue to get huge hype until he is the starter. He decided to stay in Texas despite Ewers staying. It will be interesting to see if he is in future versions of the game once he becomes the starter.

This article first appeared on Gridiron Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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