Madden Nation is an American reality television series, created as a joint effort between EA Sports and ESPN Original Entertainment to take viewers inside the world of Madden NFL, a popular video game with over 10 million players worldwide. The series premiered on December 6, 2005 and is currently off the air.
The eight episode series featured the nation's top Madden NFL gamers—along with real-life NFL player sponsors— playing against each other in elimination-style tournaments. Throughout the competition, the players traveled across the country in the Madden Nation Bus making their way to New York City for the tournament finals and a chance to win the $100,000 grand prize. The final game of every season was held in Times Square on the ABC Super Sign.
Coach Cam Coach Cam is a mechanic used during Madden Nation as a tool to provide insights into the minds of the players. Before certain plays, the gamers would reveal play selection to the television audience. Often, this mechanic would set expectations and provide a deeper understanding of the players’ strategies for the viewer.
Season 1 Madden Nation season 1 debuted on December 6, 2005 and ran for 8 episodes. Rob Taylor, a.k.a. Duka (d. July 2, 2007). defeated Sherman Jameson a.k.a. Sherm Sticky to become the champion of Madden Nation Season 1.
Format The competition started in San Francisco, California where EA hand picked eight of the country's best Madden 06 players to play for a grand prize of $100,000. These elite gamers were not alone. Each one represented an NFL superstar that had their back. The gamers traveled city to city on a tour bus playing against each other in Madden competitions with two people losing their way into the jeopardy game. The loser of the jeopardy game must then play a free agent-gamer for the right to remain on the bus. In the end, the two best gamers of the bus played one game on the big screen in Times Square for $100,000.
Contestants ContestantNicknameGamer TagNFL RepresentativeResultsRod Lane37, Dover, NJNJ Madden ballerROD79Jevon KearseEliminated in episode 1Christopher Jackson20, AtlantaActionJacksonByron LeftwichEliminated in episode 2Raymond Goode33, Waldorf, MDShopmasterShopmasterShaun AlexanderEliminated in episode 321, Philadelphia, PABig GeneAhman GreenDidn't show up for free agent gameRod Wynn29, Ingelewood, CARealityRealityWynnDwight FreeneyFree agent;eliminated in free agent gameDaniel Grundei27, Cincinnati, OHClark KentBen RoethlisbergerEliminated in episode 6Justin Chow20, Great Falls, VAChowTony GonzalezEliminated in episode 7Kyle Hustek24, Detroit, MIThe GiftRoy WilliamsEliminated in episode 7 (disqualified)Charles Smith25, San Diego, CASolutionDonnie EdwardsEliminated in episode 7, got on the bus Episode 1Dan Bertholomey40, Portland, ORPackwolfPackwolfAshley LelieGot on the bus in episode 3, eliminated in episode 7Antoin Williams23, San Antonio, TXPretty BoyLarry FitzgeraldGot on the bus in episode 2, eliminated in episode 8 during the semi-finalsDavid Grant26, St. Petersburg, FLDredMichael VickEliminated in episode 8 during the semi-finalsSherman Jameson20, Midland, TXSherm StickyChad JohnsonLost to Duka in the finals during episode 8Rob Taylor24, Youngstown, OHDukaEd ReedChampion; Got on the bus in episode 6
Season 2 Billy Wolf, a.k.a. Da Secret, defeated Frederick Amponsem, a.k.a. Fred Dizzle, to become the champion of Madden Nation Season 2.
Format In its second season, Madden Nation once again documented the high drama of eight professional Madden NFL 07 players as they competed for a cash prize of $100,000. Again, each player represented an NFL superstar, but this time, the gamers began their journey at the EA Sports studios in Orlando. Unlike last year the contestants were paired in teams and forced to support each other or face elimination. On the 12-city tour, they battled each other for the right to stay in the game until the ultimate finale in Times Square, New York City.
Contestants ContestantNicknameGamer TagNFL representativeResultsRichard Thomas30, Brooklyn, NYDJ RhudeDJRhudeRT30Michael StrahanLeft in episode 2 due to family mattersFederico Williams29, Wilmington, DERico/Rico HollywoodRicoHollywoodVince YoungWalked off in episode 2Michael Southam29, Adelaide, South AustraliaAussieBlotto OttoAntonio GatesEliminated in episode 3, replaced Young Jarvis in episode 4, eliminated again in episode 5Thomas Tsanadis25, Orlando, FLUCF ChampUCF ChampAlex Smith(Tampa Bay)Free agent; eliminated in free agent game (episode 1)Troy Brown22, Houston, TXT-RoyALLWORKNOPLAYEdgerrin JamesEliminated from the final 8Robert Warren18, District Heights, MDRJPeteSlashMario WilliamsEliminated from the final 8Steven White 27, Washington D.C.Steve O BabySHAAAWTYJoey PorterFree agent; eliminated in free agent game (episode 4)Mukala Sikyala Jr.28, Riverdale, MDCoach MukCOACHMUKClinton PortisGot on the bus in episode 5; eliminated from the final 8Michael McAnany22, Rochester, NYMad DogMIKEMAC2001Vince YoungReplaced Rico Hollywood in episode 2; eliminated from the final 8Jarvis Thomas19, Upper Marlboro, MDYoung JarvisHUSTLE247DeAngelo HallReplaced DJ Rhude in episode 2; disqualified in episode 3 for punching Mad DogTommie Hill22, Brooklyn Park, MNTherapistTommyBearsReggie BushEliminated from the final 4Donald Mazzola21, Bellevue, WADJTHE DJ LABCarson PalmerGot on the bus in episode 3, eliminated from the final 4Frederick Amponsem22, Washington, D.C.Fred DizzleFredDIZRandy MossLost to Da Secret in the finalsBilly Wolf19, Tampa, FLDaSecretDaSecretWillis McGaheeChampion
Season 3 Season 3 of Madden Nation began airing on ESPN2 on October 9, 2007 at 11PM ET. Airing as back-to-back episodes on Tuesdays, the finale, which again took place in New York City's Times Square, was televised Tuesday, Oct. 30, with the Madden Nation winner claiming a $100,000 prize. Tour stops in season 3 include NFL cities Dallas, Kansas City, St Louis, Chicago, Indianapolis, Cleveland, Buffalo, Boston and New York. The show ended in Times Square in New York. It was between Sirus the Virus, the Rams, and Problem, the Bears. The show finished off with Problem being the victor.
Contestants ContestantNicknameGamer TagNFL RepresentativeResultsSteve WilliamsSugar Land, TXCoachYourboyCoachRoy Williams - DAL Eliminated in episode 3Haaruwn BrownMobile, ALHouseshoeHouseshoe251Santana Moss - WAS Eliminated in episode 2Jesse RhoadsWestville, NJJ-RhoadsJonathan Vilma - NYJ Eliminated from the final 4Brian DelphSandusky, OHDelphDelph419Shawne Merriman - SDEliminated from the final 8Sheila BargerFresno, CAPG-13littlebitof pg13T.J. Houshmandzadeh - CINEliminated in episode 1Jet SteeleTampa, FLJetSonic Boom12Samari Rolle - BAL Eliminated from the final 8Charles JamesBloomfield Hills, MIHollywoodMatt Leinart - ARI Eliminated from the final 8Van BernardinoNapa, CAProdigyNHFBJaMarcus Russell - OAKEliminated from the final 8Ronnie CaseyLouisville, KYSirus the VirusSirusTheVirusTvSteven Jackson - STLGot on the bus in episode 2; Eliminated in final roundMarcus PhillipsOakley, CAPanoramic5starzbossLarry Johnson - KCGot on the bus in episode 1; Eliminated from the final 4Eric WrightWest Covina, CAProblemSnowmanDevin Hester - CHIGot on the bus in episode 3; CHAMPIONRafael AndradaConverse, TXRafSC0rp15Reggie Wayne - INDFree agent; eliminated in free agent game
Season 4 On Tuesday, September 16, 2008 at 11:00 p.m., ESPN2 began airing the fourth season of Madden Nation, a reality television series in which the country's top 10 Madden NFL 09 players competed in a cross-country elimination tournament on the Xbox 360 console. Gamers represented top NFL athletes and got the chance to meet their respective pro players along the way. The final tournament was played in New York City's Times Square for a grand prize of $100,000 and the ultimate title of the best Madden NFL gamer in the nation. Young Nephew was the champion after defeating Dynasty in the finals.
Contestants ContestantNicknameGamer TagNFL RepresentativeResultsDan BrownTroy, MITruthJeff Garcia - BuccaneersEliminated in episode 2 by KStarrAnthony BrinsonYoung NephewAdrian Peterson - VikingsChampion (beat Dynasty 24-14)Ryan GlickSomerville, MARGBraylon Edwards - BrownsEliminated in episode 6 by DynastyLen GreenPhiladelphia, PADynastyPatrick Willis - 49ersEliminated in finals (ep 8) by Young NephewRobert HartPhiladelphia, PA40 G'sDeMarcus Ware - CowboysEliminated in semi-finals (ep 7) by Young Nephew(won in finals)Jovan LakeyYomamaDarren McFadden - RaidersEliminated in episode 1 by DynastyToby MerchantOakland, CAT FonkMaurice Jones-Drew - JaguarsEliminated in episode 4 by DynastyDavid StepneyPomona, CAOne9Drew Brees - SaintsEliminated in semi-finals (ep 7) by DynastyPatrick ShawIndianapolis, INKStarrBob Sanders - ColtsEliminated in episode 3 by DynastyEugene WilliamsPhiladelphia, PABig GeneHines Ward - SteelersEliminated in episode 5 by Dynasty
External links Official Madden Nation Season 1 Page at EA Sports Official Madden Nation Season 2 Page at EA Sports Madden Nation 2007 Page at ESPN Madden Nation 4 at ESPN