In the same vein as the prior post, I wanted to put together another culture-focused list involving the featured athletes from Trust the Grind. First up to bat was movie cameos, and slugging just before the three-hole hitter is video game covers. Given the sturdy hold that gaming has on the heritage, it’s only right to list out my five favorite electronic game wrappings that spotlighted an athlete from the book.
The criteria I used to mold this collection of box art was based on my personal relationship to the game (if any), the public’s perception of it, and, of course, the actual artistic presence. Much like movie cameos, there were more than five games to pluck from, so before I divulge the finalists, I want to compose a few honorable mentions. It should be noted that I didn’t play any of these ones, but their covers are too fresh to pretermit.
Honorable Mentions
Chipper Jones on MLB 2001
One of my first favorite baseball games for the PlayStation 2 was MLB 2005. I was too young to play this 2001 version with Chipper on it, but as a fan of the franchise, I had to reference it. Also, Chipper had just won NL MVP, so he was a perfect choice as the cover athlete in the catalog.
Jimmie Johnson on Jimmie Johnson’s Anything with an Engine
There’s a lot going on here, but anytime a company creates a sports video game and includes an athlete’s name in its official title, it’s hard to overlook. Also, I’m a fan of the half-real, half-animated style.
Terrell Owens on NFL Blitz Pro
If you’re a sports gaming aficionado, then you know T.O. will be referenced later in this piece, but I couldn’t gloss over this well-sequenced cover. It’s like they used a flip book as inspiration.
Terrell Owens on Madden 19 (Hall of Fame Edition)
More T.O.. Gold jacket vibes are the greatest of vibes. Super clean cover.
Andruw Jones on MLB 2002
You can never go wrong with a snapshot of a player who is mid-swing. Plus, the colors mix well, and it’s cool that he was the follow-up to his teammate in this series.
TOP 5
5. Luis Gonzalez on Triple Play 2002
It would be a cardinal sin to leave out any piece of art involving the late ’90s, early 2000s Arizona Diamondback jerseys. What’s cool about Gonzo’s cover is that it was the last game in the Triple Play series to hit the streets, so it has more of a nostalgic feel in comparison to a Madden or NBA 2K cover.
The game came out a few months after Gonzo’s walk-off hit in the 2001 World Series, which adds to its appeal.
4. Georges St-Pierre on UFC 2009 Undisputed (Alternate Version)
While the main cover of the mixed martial arts video game featured Forrest Griffin, THQ, the publisher of the product, did produce an alternate version where GSP graced the space. The closeup action shot represents St-Pierre to a T, as it captures the fierce, warrior-like mentality that made him a world champion.
3. Mike Modano on Backyard Hockey 2002
A no-brainer for those of us who were blessed to grow up in the era of Backyard Sports. A game that contains real-life star Mike Modano and fictional icon Pablo Sanchez? Sign me up.
I love how a trading card appeared on the PC cover and how the Game Boy Advance version showcased an authentic picture of Modano mirroring an animated copy of him.
2. Jason Kidd on NBA Live 2003
The first video game soundtrack to go platinum, NBA Live 2003 is beloved by all bucket-getting gamers. Aside from the hit songs, the gameplay was fantastic, and the atmosphere within the production was electric.
JKidd’s mid-dribble cover is super clean and embodies his ultra-focused frame of mind.
1. Terrell Owens on ESPN NFL 2K5
In the running for greatest football video game of all time, NFL 2K5 was a magical-like experience for those of us who were blessed to load it up. The inviting ESPN presentation made it feel as real as any game up to that point in time. Users had their own personal mansion to saunter around in, where they stashed awards and collected boosts. The gameplay was top-tier. This production was so ahead of its time, it’s not even funny.
When it comes to the cover, it doesn’t get cooler than a majestic one-handed snag from one of the game’s greats. Not to mention the fact that he’s wearing the iconic Philadelphia Eagles threads.