REDWOOD CITY, Calif. --(Business Wire)-- May 7, 2004 Electronic Arts announced that Ray Lewis, the All-Pro linebacker from the Baltimore Ravens and the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year, has been selected to be the EA SPORTS(TM) cover athlete and spokesman for Madden NFL 2005. Reflecting the game's focus on defensive innovations this year, Lewis is the perfect representative for the cover of the best-selling football videogame franchise. Last year Madden NFL 2004 sold more than five million copies.

"I have always enjoyed working with EA SPORTS, but to be on the cover of Madden NFL 2005 is the ultimate honor," said Lewis. "With the focus on defense in the game this year, I knew it was my chance to represent the most popular sports game ever made. Madden NFL Football is the game I have always played, and I am excited to be part of the family now." Lewis' image will appear on all Madden NFL 2005 packaging and merchandising.

Lewis is one of the game's best all-around players. He finished the 2003 season with a franchise-record 125 tackles and earned AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year honors for the second time (the first in 2000), becoming just the sixth player in NFL history to win multiple times. This past February he played in his sixth Pro Bowl in just eight years. In 2000 Lewis was only the second player in NFL history to win both the NFL Defensive Player of the Year and Super Bowl MVP (for Super Bowl XXXV).

In its 15th year and nearly 37 million copies sold, Madden NFL Football continues to stand out as the most popular football videogame franchise of all time with a combination of innovative new features and the most authentic football gameplay. Madden NFL Football is currently displayed in the Pro Football Hall of Fame -- the only videogame to receive this honor. Madden NFL 2005, developed by EA-Tiburon, is slated to ship in August on all platforms. The game has not yet been rated by the ESRB.