UAB fans stoked to see team represented in EA Sports CFB25 video game

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ( WIAT ) – The new EA Sports College Football 25 video game is exciting many sports fans and gamers, as it’s the first one out since the NCAA Football 14 game came out in 2013.

In CFB25, people can play as any of the 134 teams in the Football Bowl Subdivision. This will include teams in the Power Four conferences and smaller teams like the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Jacksonville State and Troy University.

UAB says EA Sports made being a part of CFB25 a simple process, and football players got $600 and a free copy of the game for being included.

“Think of all the student-athletes around the country who when they and/or their friends are playing the game and the cursor goes over their name, how exciting that would be,” UAB Athletic Director Mark Ingram said. “People around the world are playing a game and they’re catching a pass with you.”

UAB was a part of NCAA 14 but right after the game’s release in 2013, the school’s football program was cut until 2017. Now, a new and improved version of the game is back as well as the Blazers football team, with its new and improved stadium and practice facility.

“Any opportunity to put our brand out there, our logo out there, our name out there is positive,” Ingram said. “I think it helps young people in particular realize if they don’t already know ‘hey, UAB is an option. It’s another great place where I could go and play or go to school’.”

“That was part of why I ended up being such a big fan of them was I was playing with them in NCAA 14,” UAB student and fan Lucas Gray said. “So to have them in there now, especially with the players and coaching staff we have now with a pretty electric offense, a lot of big-time players, it should be pretty fun to play with them too.”

Fans say it’s fun to see their team on a stage like this and give it a go themselves at coaching. UAB sports fans are ready to start the Blazers dynasty and rack up some college football national championships.

“We’re going to the natty 10 years in a row,” Gray said. “I’m coming for Dilfer’s job so he better watch out.”

UAB sports fans say seeing realistic portrayals of the team and home field is a cool addition to the gaming experience.

“I found out that they had actually put Protective Stadium in the game, they have UAB’s fight song, they have, like, a special intro like when the teams come onto the field, so, yeah. I was just really stoked when they announced UAB was going to have all of that in the game,” UAB graduate and fan Micah Smith said.

CFB25 is only out for those with early access right now but the game will be available to everyone on Friday. UAB says it loves to see the buzz this game is causing around college football.

“Always support the Blazers, and we hope that you’ll come to some of our actual games too, not just play the video game,” Ingram said.

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