Robert Griffin III thinks Damar Hamlin should be on Madden 24 cover

Robert Griffin III is eschewing the obvious and going for Damar Hamlin, a sentimental favorite, to be the cover of Madden 24.

RGIII shared his thoughts on the choice. You can’t call them controversial because supporting Hamlin, the Buffalo Bills safety, is anything but. However, selecting a safety headed into his third year is atypical.

Robert Griffin tweeted: “EA Sports should make Damar Hamlin the Madden 24 Cover Athlete. Celebrate a moment that brought us all together for once regardless of what team you cheer for.

“Celebrate (athletic trainer) Denny Kellington and the professionals who saved his life with a briefing detailing all the work they did to save him and get him back on the field. It’s important for the youth to know these facts and Madden has their attention.”

Hard to disagree, right?

EA Sports should make Damar Hamlin the Madden 24 Cover Athlete.

— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) June 5, 2023

We’ll know Wednesday whether Robert Griffin had right choice with Damar Hamlin

EA Sports is expected to reveal who will be on the cover during a Wednesday unveiling. The game, itself, gets its premiere in August, a few weeks ahead of the start of the NFL season. There are lots of names being tossed about. You’ve probably heard that Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen, Hamlin’s teammate, could be the cover.

EA Sports went with the sentimental last year. A photo of John Madden, the OG, adorned the cover of this classic game. Madden, the long-time coach turned beloved NFL announcer, died in December, 2021. Then the year before that, Madden went with bookend quarterbacks, the top guy and his quarterback in waiting. So that’s why you had Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes.

But Robert Griffin brings up a good point about Damar Hamlin. When the safety collapsed on the field at Paycor Stadium, Jan. 2., players and fans came together en masse to pray for and support Hamlin. The safety suffered cardiac arrest and needed to be resuscitated, twice. He spent several days in the ICU of a Cincinnati hospital.

In April, Hamlin revealed his diagnosis. Doctors told him he suffered commotio cordis, which was caused by a blow to the chest. Right before his collapse, Bengals receiver Tee Higgins lowered his shoulder and hit Hamlin as the safety was tackling him. Hamlin got up, but fell back, lifeless, within several seconds.

But as Robert Griffin indicated, Damar Hamlin’s story enjoyed a happy ending. Doctors cleared Hamlin for play this spring. He’s participating in OTAs with the team at Orchard Park. However, his comeback will be a gradual one. Hamlin participated in individual drills, but not in full team practices.

Other candidates for the cover include Philadelphia quarterback Jalen Hurts, Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (maybe with his brother, Jason), or Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson. Maybe select Cincy quarterback Joe Burrow. Mahomes would be redundant. He’s appeared on the cover twice.