Lions rookie QB Hendon Hooker reveals who he plays as on Madden
Hendon Hooker is answering all the tough questions before his rookie season officially begins, like who he uses in Madden now that he’s in the NFL.
Evidently, the former Tennessee Volunteers star has run into a bit of an issue when playing the game with his friends, as they all want to use him and the Detroit Lions in the game. Hooker explained his conundrum during a hit on SEC Network earlier on Monday.
“Well, nowadays, now that I’m in the game, a lot of my friends want to play against me with the Lions. So I have no choice but to pick another team,” Hooker said. “But it’s always surreal and really cool to see me in the video game and actually be pretty good in there as well.”
Alas, young football players simply dream of being in Madden, so even if he doesn’t get to use himself against his friends and family, Hooker still recognizes what an awesome accomplishment simply being in the game is.
Good guy Hendon Hooker may let his opponents use his team against him while playing Madden, but we’re willing to bet he has a couple franchises running with the Lions at the moment. We’ll see if he can make them a reality throughout his NFL career.
More on Hendon Hooker, Detroit Lions
Continuing, Hendon Hooker was a four-star prospect in the On3 Industry Ranking as part of the 2017 recruiting class. Hooker started his career at Virginia Tech and spent the first three years of his career with the Hokies. In those three seasons, Hooker played in 21 games and threw for 2,894 yards, 22 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
Hendon Hooker then transferred to Tennessee ahead of the 2021 season. After throwing for 2,945 yards, 31 touchdowns and three interceptions in his first year at Tennessee, Hooker made a massive leap in 2022. He threw for 3,135 yards, 27 touchdowns and two interceptions. Hooker was in the mix for the Heisman Trophy until he tore his ACL late in the season, which put an end on his college playing days.
“It was tough,” Hooker said on The Paul Finebaum Show in early April. “I found myself in the early stages kind of tearing up when I watched film and watched games, just missing my teammates, the camaraderie and how hard we compete for each other on a daily basis in practice and in meetings and during game day.
“Through the whole process, just staying positive and connecting with my teammates whenever I can. And having a great support system in my family. Can’t thank them enough.”
Now, Hendon Hooker is ready to roll for the Detroit Lions, while keeping a keen eye towards the Volunteers.