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College football’s most famous backup has decided to appear in its most beloved video game.
Arch Manning, who threw five passes at Texas last year, had yet to opt in to EA Sports’ College Football 25. The game is set to be released next week after a decade-long hiatus.
Electronic Arts stopped producing college sports games with NCAA Football 14 after Ed O’Bannon’s landmark lawsuit against the NCAA that ultimately paved the way for players to be paid for their name, image, and likeness.
The new framework in college sports led EA to reboot the game, and players had to opt in to be included in this version. Those who have opted in have received $600 and will get a free copy of the game.
Manning—though he barely played as a redshirt last year and is set to sit again this year behind Texas QB Quinn Ewers—was easily the most famous player who hadn’t opted in.
His father, Cooper, is the older brother of quarterbacks Peyton and Eli Manning. In a promotional video, his famous uncle Eli poked fun at Arch, saying, “This is the best way to focus on football.”
In March, a Texas beat writer reported Arch Manning wasn’t in the game because he was “focused on playing football on the field.”
While Manning was a superstar recruit out of New Orleans, Ewers—who will be on some covers of the game—had a breakout season last fall, relegating Manning to the bench. Ewers threw for 22 touchdowns as the Longhorns made their first College Football Playoff.
College Football 25 is set to be released July 19.
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