The hype and excitement behind EA Sports College Football 25 is already facing a lot of criticism before the game is even released. In what may be the most anticipated video game of all time, ESPN sideline reporter and award-winning professional Holly Rowe called out the game in a not-so-settler way that quickly went viral on Twitter.
Voices of the Game Announced
One day before players were sent an application to opt into the game for $600 and a free copy of the game, EA Sports released the announcers who would be part of the game. Those names are the following:
- Chris Fowler (Play by Play)
- Kirk Herbstreit (Analyst)
- Desmond Howard
- Rece Davis
- David Pollack
- Kevin Connors
- Jesse Palmer
It appears that there will be some kind of College Gameday desk in the game, similar to how 2K runs a pregame and postgame show. What’s interesting is that Pat McAfee and Lee Corso are not on the list, and more shocking is that there is not a single woman who will be featured. Holly Rowe, Molly McGrath, Laura Rutledge, and Katie George are just some of the big female sideline reporter names who were not included in the game.
Holly Rowe Makes a Statement to EA Sports College Football 25
Ca Ea E3 2010 Press Conference
Holly Rowe, on Thursday night, made a statement calling out the game, saying that despite 30 years in the industry as a sideline reporter, neither she nor any other female reporters were asked to be part of the game. While the post was made Thursday evening, it really blew up and went viral Friday night and Saturday morning, drawing more criticism and support from game fans.
How about including
some women @EASPORTS 30 years on the college football sidelines 🤷🏼♀️ https://t.co/KpGiBc8HuN— Holly Rowe (@sportsiren) February 23, 2024
EA Sports has not released a statement. or confirmed that there will be any changes, but as far as things that can be easily and quickly changed in the game, adding an additional sideline reporter voice seems like one of the easier and doable changes to enhance and improve the game.
Critics are Wrong About Holly Rowe’s Statement
As with any social media post, some commented that Rowe was just upset that she didn’t make the cut and was making the issue about gender. However, when looking at recent big games, these are the sideline reporters of some of the biggest games from 2023.
- National Championship Game: Molly McGrath and Holly Rowe
- Rose Bowl: Holly Rowe and Laura Rutledge
- Sugar Bowl: Katie George and Molly McGrath
In other words, in all the biggest games this past season, it wasn’t just women being represented as sideline reporters, they were all of the sideline reporters. Typically, as a writer, I report the news and keep my opinion to the side, but in this case, I’ll throw my two cents in…
EA Sports, you have a responsibility to not only represent both men and women in this game where they fit naturally, but you have a responsibility to get the best reporters and announcers in the industry, and leaving off all four of these women is a huge mistake that needs to be addressed.
Get More Coverage on the College Football
For more of the biggest storylines of College Football or the NFL, click here or follow me on X at @BYU_Gameday.
