Falling in Love in '92. Even Though John Madden was a Liar.

There was something to watching how the game unfolded, almost like a set of live domino's that just took hold of me.  These little Green, or Blue, or Red digital men seemed to be able to do anything.  And better yet I was in control.

These gladiators relied on all of their physical gifts, combined in a team environment, all in front of a grand stage.  The idea of it all was just awesome to me.

This game probably started my 20 plus love affair with Football

At age 8, and proud new owner of his first ever video game system in the SEGA Genesis, my first game (at least to my recollection) was Madden 92.

I loved it.  It kept track of the statistical achievements and thus I began to have a bit of a small obsession with the sport.

I, like probably every kid in the 90's in those days, I wanted to play running back.  Barry Sanders, Emmitt Smith dominated the NFL headlines.  And I loved the idea of blending speed with power, running through the field.

Barry was the first guy that probably got compared to a video game.  The incredible change of direction and speed defied physics.

But I really liked the green team from Philadelphia.  I remember my parents taking me to the zoo there once, and my Uncle lived there, so it sounded good.  Besides, they were rated really highly.  Even better than the Cowboys, who incidentally would go on to win 3 Super Bowls in the 90's.

Sometime I wonder, if John Madden actually ranked Seattle better that year I may have been a Seahawk fan.

However on some level I never truly thought the violence in the game was ever brutal or real.  Tackles were always simple animations and the most exciting plays were always on the offensive side of the ball.  Even while watching games on television I thought the tackles were rarely malicious or meant to hurt someone (although I could be a bit naive as a child).

Players always got back up.  There were no injuries just yet as far as I could remember.  In fact a neat little thing would happen where in later years injuries were dealt with in rather comical fashion via player running over ambulances.

Now watching it all years later, it blows my mind the development in computer and game technology.  I should imagine in another 20 years a near photo like realism will be pretty close to being achieved.