Madden 99 Club Welcomes Panthers’ Christian McCaffrey as the Youngest Player Ever to Join
The Madden 99 Club officially has a brand new member! On Thursday, as Madden 20 ratings update arrived, that meant another boost for Carolina Panthers halfback Christian McCaffrey. With the latest increase, McCaffrey joins the exclusive club which had just four members at the start of the season. It now has a fifth, and the youngest to ever get in.
Christian McCaffrey gains Madden 99 Club membership
When a star player gains entry into the Madden 99 Club they receive their official plaque in honor of the achievement. EA’s Madden found Christian McCaffrey during a Carolina Panthers practice session to present him with his plaque. He posted with the hardware as teammates cheered him on in support of his accomplishment.
As they filmed the plaque handoff, they also asked him about whether or not he played Madden growing up. McCaffrey chuckled, admitting he created himself in the game.
“This means a lot, it’s really cool,” McCaffrey commented. “You know I played Madden my whole life so getting a 99 I know there’s some players in this league who are 99s who are pretty elite, so to be in that company means a lot. It’s definitely very humbling.”
The Carolina Panthers (5-5) have managed to stay alive in the NFC playoff picture as one of the potential wildcard teams. With their longtime star quarterback Cam Newton sidelined, McCaffrey has shouldered much of the load this season in helping them compete.
In his third season in the league, McCaffrey has been putting up some MVP contender-like stats during his time on the field. In 10 games, Christian McCaffrey has 199 carries for 1,059 yards and 11 touchdowns. He has another 517 yards and three touchdowns on 59 receptions, per Pro-Football-Reference.
All of that has translated to assisting the Panthers as they battle through their schedule this season. It’s also given McCaffrey that distinction in the popular EA Sports football game early in his career.
McCaffrey part of five-player group of 99s
At the start of the 2019-20 NFL season, four players were in the Madden 99 Club. It consisted of three defensive stars with the Rams’ Aaron Donald, Bears’ Khalil Mack, and Seahawks’ Bobby Wagner. Texans wide receiver Deandre Hopkins was the only offensive player in the group.
However, as the season has moved forward the Madden 99 Club has changed in terms of members. Wagner has dropped out and the game’s cover star Patrick Mahomes joined. After being on 99 Club watch last week, McCaffrey now makes it a five-player club.
McCaffrey is the sixth running back to enter the exclusive club over the years joining Barry Sanders, Marshall Faulk, Ladanian Tomlinson, Chris Johnson, and Adrian Peterson. He’s also the youngest player to ever join the Madden 99 Club at 23 years old.
Based on his success this season, he could become a member of the club for several more years as he continues his ascent towards league superstardom.
See the latest Madden ratings update here. See more of VGR’s Madden news here.