How Safety Tony Jefferson Used ‘Madden’ to Choose the Ravens in Free Agency
Baltimore Ravens strong safety Tony Jefferson was one of the top defensive free agents this offseason. Last season, the 25-year-old led the Arizona Cardinals with 92 total tackles and had 13 tackles for a loss. Many NFL teams might have made him an offer. What aided his decision to go with the Ravens was the Madden video game franchise.
Jefferson signed a four-year, $34 million contract with the Ravens, with $19 million guaranteed, but that wasn’t his biggest offer. The Cleveland Browns offered a bigger contract, but Jefferson doesn’t play just for the money.
#Ravens S Tony Jefferson says on @nflnetwork the #Browns offered him more money. Why didn’t he take it? “I don’t play football for money.”
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 16, 2017
So why did Jefferson choose the Ravens?
Swag. The undrafted four-year pro told nfl.com that a big reason why he chose the Ravens was because of how good he looked in the uniform.
“I am a guy of swagger, so I gotta check the swag at all points before I make a decision,” Jefferson said. “I put myself in different uniforms on Madden to see what will look better. Ravens did look good, though. Black on black, no question. Those [uniforms] are their best combination.”
It wasn’t only the black on black uniforms that helped the Ravens sway Jefferson. His teammate Eric Weddle helped convince him.
“The Ravens’ defense and guys like Eric [Weddle] reaching out and talking to me [sold me on signing with the team].”
Regardless of why Jefferson signed, the Ravens should be happy he chose them.
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How Safety Tony Jefferson Used ‘Madden’ to Choose the Ravens in Free Agency
Baltimore Ravens strong safety Tony Jefferson was one of the top defensive free agents this offseason. Last season, the 25-year-old led the Arizona Cardinals with 92 total tackles and had 13 tackles for a loss. Many NFL teams might have made him an offer. What aided his decision to go with the Ravens was the Madden video game franchise.
Jefferson signed a four-year, $34 million contract with the Ravens, with $19 million guaranteed, but that wasn’t his biggest offer. The Cleveland Browns offered a bigger contract, but Jefferson doesn’t play just for the money.
#Ravens S Tony Jefferson says on @nflnetwork the #Browns offered him more money. Why didn’t he take it? “I don’t play football for money.”
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 16, 2017
So why did Jefferson choose the Ravens?
Swag. The undrafted four-year pro told nfl.com that a big reason why he chose the Ravens was because of how good he looked in the uniform.
“I am a guy of swagger, so I gotta check the swag at all points before I make a decision,” Jefferson said. “I put myself in different uniforms on Madden to see what will look better. Ravens did look good, though. Black on black, no question. Those [uniforms] are their best combination.”
It wasn’t only the black on black uniforms that helped the Ravens sway Jefferson. His teammate Eric Weddle helped convince him.
“The Ravens’ defense and guys like Eric [Weddle] reaching out and talking to me [sold me on signing with the team].”
Regardless of why Jefferson signed, the Ravens should be happy he chose them.