Ray Rice was suspended from the NFL indefinitely after TMZ published video footage of the former player punching his then-fiancee in a hotel elevator. Today, EA Sports has confirmed that Rice will no longer be a part of Madden NFL 15 as of the latest roster update:
With Ray Rice’s indefinite suspension from the NFL, he will be removed from Madden NFL 15. The roster change will take place by this Friday.
— EA SPORTS Madden NFL (@EAMaddenNFL) September 9, 2014
Rice’s de facto expulsion from the game (the CFL honors NFL suspensions and will not allow Rice to play north of the border) came after the NFL viewed an abbreviated version of the video and initially suspended him for two games. Public outcry led to a new domestic abuse policy for the league and the Baltimore Ravens have since terminated Rice’s contract.
This isn’t the first time EA Sports has removed a player from a Madden game due to legal trouble. Aaron Hernandez was removed from Madden NFL 25 after he was arrested for murder last July.