This year’s big game, Super Bowl LVI, is coming up February 13, 2022. But for a select few HBCU students, it’s all about what’s happening before the game that matters most: the second annual Madden NFL 22 x HBCU Tournament! The NFL has been very intentional about efforts to increase diversity, equity, and inclusion within sports and esports. Several programs have been developed by the NFL to elevate HBCU students in the football industry at the administrative level and beyond, so it’s no surprise they went all out for these students.
Registration initially opened in November for students across 48 HBCUs to bring their A-game when competing in the ground breaking Madden NFL 22 video game. Now with just a few finalists left and the game taking place next weekend, there is finally an opportunity to enjoy the fruits of their labor. All students will be brought to Los Angeles, where they will have the opportunity to have job training. They will receive career advice and learn about the business side of the NFL while connecting with company executives and key stakeholders. Plus, they’ll enjoy Super Bowl-related events and activations such as the Play Football Stakeholders Breakfast, the High School Girls NFL FLAG Exhibition, the Play Football Family Festival, and Super Bowl Experience. Last but not least, they’ll all receive tickets to the Super Bowl LVI game at the largest stadium in the NFL: SoFi Stadium in Inglewood!
The finalists of the Madden NFL 22 x HBCU Tournament are below:
| Name | Madden Gamer Tag | HBCU |
| Andre Kenyoda Patterson Jr | Slattlyfeee | Albany State University |
| Javion D Jackson | Javion142 | Albany State University |
| Eric Demetrius Minor Jr. | ThatGuyDJ | Claflin University |
| Christopher Webb | Sbc_gaming_1of1 | Delaware State University |
| Donavan Burrell | Tissue20 | Florida A&M University |
| Tykevious Dequante Ivory | Equipedbulldog2 | Fort Valley State University |
| Donald Ray White III | DonTnp4L | Grambling State University |
| Malik Seay | kreamyshots | Howard University |
| Malay Robinson Jr | JoseHndrx | Morgan State University |
| Nicholas Harris | BlackTrident4H | Norfolk State University |
| DaSean Wade Neclos Jr | ThaRealSuave | North Carolina A&T State University |
| Quran Rubin Coy Watts | callingwolves_ | North Carolina A&T State University |
| Christopher James Pitts | Sametarsier8657 | Saint Augustine’s University |
| Carlik A Humes | Freakylikky | Virginia Union University |
| Rodney Jimmel McKay Jr | RockoTuff | Virginia Union University |
As the finals competition heats up, everyone is encouraged to tap into the NFL Total Access broadcast on the NFL Network on February 8 at 7:00 PM ET. Get the exclusive scoop when two gamer finalists, Eric “ThatGuyDJ” Minor of Claflin University and Rodney “RockoTuff” McKay of Virginia Union University share their experiences.
To finally find out who will come out on top, fans will have to wait until February 12 at 3:00 PM ET. So who will snatch the Madden NFL 22 x HBCU title and take home cash prizes? It’s all between Eric “ThatGuyDJ” Minor and Rodney “RockoTuff” McKay , who will be competing from the NFL’s west coast headquarters located next to SoFi Stadium.
We hope to see you tuned in, because you can bet we’ll be right in the middle of all the action!
