Running back Kareem Hunt was quickly released by the Chiefs last week after video surfaced of his assault on a woman earlier this year. The 23-year-old went unclaimed on waivers this week is now a free agent.
Now video game publisher EA Sports is making a move with Hunt that in the past has been reserved for some of the league's worst off-field offenders. He has been scrubbed from "Madden NFL 19" entirely.
This is the same treatment that was given to Aaron Hernandez and Ray Rice. EA Sports, though, has carried out such action selectively, failing to do so in other cases that arguably would have warranted it, including those of Greg Hardy and Adrian Peterson in 2014. There is also the recent case of Reuben Foster, the linebacker who saw his ratings drop last week but remains active in the game and on the Redskins' roster.
Sporting News has reached out to EA Sports for comment on its removing Hunt from "Madden 19" but has not received a response.
MORE: How the NFL failed in its Kareem Hunt investigation
Hunt already had been removed from the current rosters in "Madden 19," and his presence has been scrubbed from the game's popular Ultimate Team mode. His Ultimate Team cards already in circulation have been replaced with a generic character and renamed to "HB #25," but the player's attributes do remain the same.
Hunt's talent on the field was apparent in helping the Chiefs reach Super Bowl contender status this season. In the game, he rose to a rating of 92 Overall, making him the second best active running back in the league behind only Todd Gurley.
The Chiefs now turn to Spencer Ware, rated 78 Overall in the game, at running back.
Bryan Wiedey posts sports gaming news and analysis daily at Pastapadre.com, hosts the Press Row Podcast and can be reached on Twitter @Pastapadre.