America’s favorite sport is back in action tonight (NBC, 8:30 p.m. ET) in the first game of NFL Kickoff 2009 Weekend. This year, two 2008 division winners are featured as the Super Bowl XLIII champion Pittsburgh Steelers host the Tennessee Titans. The Titans had an NFL-best 13-3 record and were AFC South champions last year. The game is the first meeting between the teams since the Titans defeated the Steelers 31-14 on December 21, 2008. Tennessee was the last team to beat the Steelers before they went on to win Super Bowl XLIII. This will mark only the fifth time …read more

Arizona Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald and Pittsburgh Steelers safety Troy Polamalu will both be featured on the cover of Madden NFL 10, set to hit retail stores on Friday, August 14. For the first time in the 21-year history of the Madden NFL franchise, two players will be on the cover. Madden NFL 10 will be available on Xbox 360, PlayStation2 and PLAYSTATION 3, Wii, and PSP.

Legendary NFL broadcaster and Pro Football Hall of Famer John Madden announced his retirement today. Obviously, it was a sad day for everyone who has enjoyed his unique brand of analysis and commentary since 1979. John’s style was as unique a voice as professional sports has ever seen. If you include his time as head coach of the Oakland Raiders (1969-1979), I can’t ever remember pro football without him.
John spoke briefly about his decision today:
“You know at some point you have to do this — I got to that point. The thing that made it hard is not because I’m …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
I’m working with Gillette and EA Sports to promote their XBOX Live Tournament — “Gillette’s Champions of Gaming!” It’s the world’s largest multi-sport gaming tournament. Anyone with an XBOX Live account can log on to the tournament and play Madden NFL 09, NBA Live 09, Tiger Woods PGA Tour® 09, NASCAR® 09 or EA Sports Soccer 09. Once you choose the game you want to play, you will be entered into some qualifying rounds. If you make it through those rounds and become a finalist in your region (North America, Asia and Europe), you will …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
This is the alternate cover for Madden NFL 09 with Brett Favre in a Jets uniform. The only way to get this updated version (for Xbox 360, Play Station 3, Play Station 2 or Play Station Portable) is to download it from EASports.com.
Fans are also invited to get a new online roster download. Available for Xbox 360, Xbox, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 2 and Wii versions of the game, this new roster download features Brett as the starting quarterback on the N.Y. Jets and is available today as an automatic download when you play an …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
Celebrating 20 years of innovation and counting, Madden NFL 09 delivers its most complete NFL football package ever. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or picking up the game for the first time, players of all skill levels will enjoy a unique, yet challenging experience with the innovative Adaptive Difficulty Engine, which tailors the game to match your playing style. Instantly improve your game with the all-new virtual Training Center or incorporate feedback with EA Sports BackTrack, allowing you to learn from your mistakes on the fly. With a new broadcast presentation and online leagues, plus …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast