14 DAY TRIAL // In the wake of the official results of the real world Super Bowl, publisher Electronic Arts, the manager of the Madden NFL franchise, has announced that its virtual Madden Bowl XVII competition has been won by a trio of players that includes Patrick Willis, who is a linebacker for the San Francisco 49ers, Chad Ochocinco, the receiver playing for the Cincinnati Bengals, and Maria Menounos, a fan of the NFL and correspondent for Access Hollywood.
Menounos, who Electronic Arts says is the first female to ever win a Madden Bowl, has stated after the results were announced, “What an unbelievable experience. It was an honor to be here tonight and perhaps pave the way for other females to participate in the event in years to come.”
The XVII edition of the Electronic Arts Madden Bowl has taken place at the Glass Cactus, just outside of Dallas, and received a live broadcast on ESPN 3, played for the first time using Online Team Play.
Menounos, Willis and Ochocinco controlled the Indianapolis Colts and played the final against the New Orleans Saints, a team that was led by quarterback Drew Brees, running back Reggie Bush and quarterback Chase Daniel, a trio which arguably had more football playing experience.
Drew Brees, who is the cover athlete for Madden NFL 11, said after the match, “After we scored that last touchdown I thought we had it. Our secret weapon of Chase Daniel helped get us back into the game, but we fell just short. Still, it was a hard-fought game and lot of fun. I can’t wait to do it again.”
Lat week Electronic Arts fed information about the Super Bowl to its Madden 11 game engine and predicted that the Pittsburgh Steelers would take the game over the Packers, but reality proved more interesting than the simulation, with the Packers managing to take home the trophy 31 to 25.