In the wake of the senseless shooting that occurred in Jacksonville, Florida on Sunday, which left two guys dead, EA Sports has canceled the final three qualifier events for its "Madden NFL 19" esports tournament, and understandably so.
EA Sports CEO Andrew Wilson cited "a comprehensive review of safety protocols for competitors and spectators" in a statement announcing the cancellations Monday evening.
"We've all been deeply affected by what took place in Jacksonville," Wilson said in the news release. "This is the first time we've had to confront something like this as an organization, and I believe the first time our gaming community has dealt with a tragedy of this nature. Please take time to support each other through this challenging time.”
Wilson would also go onto call the two men who were fatally shot, Taylor Robertson & Elijah Clayton, "two of our top Madden competitors."
"They were respected, positive and skilled competitors, the epitome of the players and personalities at the heart of our community," Wilson said. "Their love of competition was evident through their participation in our events over the past few years. We are committed to supporting Taylor and Elijah's families through this difficult time, and we send our deepest sympathies to their loved ones, to those injured yesterday, and everyone affected.”
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