Celebrity Byte

Marshall Faulk looks for running room in a game against the Philadelphia Eagles. Photo by G. Newman Lowrance.

How do the NFL pros influence the Madden games?

EA will solicit us about little things about the game. We always get on them about the ratings. They have a team of techies that get a lot of input from players, especially former cover guys. They'll take our input and apply it to the game.

With all of the new player ratings in Madden NFL 08, what impact do you see this having on real NFL players -- many of whom already take ratings very seriously?

Some guys are going to like the new ratings and some guys aren't going to like it, as usual. Some guys look at their ratings on Madden and go out and prove on the field, not just to the Madden makers, but to the people who buy Madden that they're better than those ratings.

How have the Madden ratings treated you over the years?

EA has been fair to me. It was only in my later years that my speed declined. More than anything it was my durability that declined. They had me at like a 50 in durability. That's, like, if my shoe comes untied I'm going to break a leg or something.

I've been in the game, on the cover of the game, and now my voice is in the game... I think I've done more than John Madden for Madden NFL 08.

Quarterback Jamie Martin releases a pass to Marshall Faulk in a game against the Indianapolis Colts in 2005. Photo by Al Messerschmidt.

What was it like doing the voice work for Marshall's Minute in Madden NFL 08?

It was a lot more work than I thought it was going to be, but at the same time it was a lot of fun and I enjoyed it. I'd do it again. I learned a lot about the game and how things work. It's very interesting having your voice in the game, especially as a former cover guy. I've been in the game, on the cover of the game, and now my voice is in the game.

You've basically done it all.

I think I've done more than John Madden for Madden NFL 08.

He doesn't even do voice work any more for his game. You've basically replaced Madden to do the voice work.

There you go.

They should call it Marshal Faulk Football 08.

Hey, don't start that.

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