Over the past month, Florio Jr. has been insisting that I use my modest Rolodex to finagle for “us” (i.e., him) a copy of the new Madden game in advance of the August 10 release date.
As it turns out, we could have gotten one directly from cover boy Drew Brees in New York today.
Said Brees on his Twitter page: “I am in NYC with my boys from EA Sports. I will be in Times Square at 1PM to promote. Anybody who shows up gets a free copy of Madden 11.”
The news set off widespread speculation that Brees would actually be handing out free advance copies of the game itself. The speculation was bolstered by two different reports from Jane McManus of ESPNNewYork.com, who wrote, “[I]t’s the actual game. For reals. First time they’ve done it.” She later said, “EA said the boxes contained actual copies of the game, which isn’t released officially until August. Not a voucher, but the game.”
As it turns out, only vouchers for the game were distributed.
McManus now says that more copies will be handed out tomorrow at Rye Park/Playland by 2010 co-cover boy and Madden jinx survivor Larry Fitzgerald, at some point between 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.
Fortunately, Fitzgerald will only be giving out vouchers. Otherwise, Florio Jr. would be insisting that we drive to New York. Now.