Former NFL star Dez Bryant reveals why he doesn't let Madden use his likeness in game

Former NFL All-Pro Dez Bryant doesn’t want the Madden video game franchise using his likeness in the game anymore.

Bryant hasn’t played since 2020 when he had a short stint with the Baltimore Ravens. He was in his prime with the Dallas Cowboys from 2010-17 but hasn’t really been the same since.

So if you wanted to put Bryant back in Dallas or sign him to any other franchise in Madden, you better create him manually.

“Because I didn’t let them use my name, image and likeness for only 15k,” Bryant wrote on Twitter.

It looks like $15,000 is not enough money for Bryant to lend his likeness to the game at this point. It is unclear if that is an accurate amount as well as if it would be per game or just a flat fee.

Over the course of his career, Bryant finished with 537 catches, 7,506 yards, 75 touchdowns and 14 yards per catch.

His best season, arguably, came in 2014 when he finished 88 catches, 1,320 yards, 16 touchdowns and 15 yards per catch.

Bryant played his college football at Oklahoma State, finishing with 147 catches, 2,425 yards, 29 touchdowns and 16.5 yards per catch.

As a member of the Class of 2007, Bryant was a five-star recruit out of Lufkin (Texas) High, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He was the No. 3 overall prospect in the state, the No. 5 wide receiver in the class and the No. 23 overall prospect in the class.

While it may be over for Bryant at this point, he at least expressed interest in returning to the NFL.

Amid Hall of Famer Terrell Owens, 49, saying he wanted to suit up for a playoff team in December and had serious interest, Bryant echoed those comments.

“If T.O coming back… sign me up to a playoff team… seriously! LFG,” the former Cowboys No. 88 tweeted with a rocketship emoji.

Bryant probably would not be the same type of receiver he was in his prime, despite a few years to get healthy. But he’d have to get acclimated to the game.

Still, many wonder if Bryant stepped away too soon and just had bad luck during his post-Dallas Cowboys days.

In any case, if Bryant doesn’t return to the NFL, you won’t be able to use him in Madden. Even for throwback games.