Ben McAdoo gets ‘Madden’ treatment — and new suits
New York Giants head coach Ben McAdoo poses with a team helmet at a press conference introducing him as the Giants new head coach on Friday, Jan. 15, 2016........... ........ ............................ Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
BOCA RATON, Fla. — One of the stranger parts of the job when it comes to being an NFL head coach takes place each year at the NFL’s annual meetings.
While the league’s power brokers are discussing rules and operations and finances and business, the men who call the plays line up to have their likenesses digitally marked for inclusion in the upcoming Madden video game.
Ben McAdoo was ready for his closeup.
“They got all up in my grill and took some pictures and I had a chance to read through a script,” he said (perhaps giving away a new feature being worked up in the EA Sports labs that will include commentary from the coaches). “It was fun. It was a great experience.”
McAdoo said he’s not necessarily looking forward to seeing his digital self on the sideline. “But my kids are probably looking forward to it,” he said.
Of course, much has been made about McAdoo’s appearances, especially since he showed up for his introductory news conference in an oversized suit (thanks to his recent weight loss). At the breakfast on Wednesday, he wore a much better-fitting blue blazer, white shirt and khaki pants.
“Van Heusen has been taking care of me,” he said of the clothing company that has been helping him improve his look. But he also has some in-house resources to aid in that regard. McAdoo said he’s been playing phone tag with Michael Strahan, who wants to offer the coach a few items from his new clothing line. And Victor Cruz has publicly offered to advise McAdoo on the matter.
“We have a great locker room,” McAdoo said. “Communication goes both ways. I’m not sensitive. They have something that can help me out, bring it on!”
McAdoo admitted that he and Cruz likely have different skill sets when it comes to clothing, but he’s willing to listen.
“Victor is a guy who definitely wants to help me out in that regard,” McAdoo said. “You have to know your strengths and weaknesses and my wardrobe, well, I’m a work in progress.”
Tom Rock began covering sports for Newsday in 1996 and became its NFL columnist in 2022. He previously was Newsday's Giants beat writer beginning in 2008.
