NFL schedule release: Colts delete, apologize for 'Minecraft'-inspired video over Microsoft rights, Tyreek Hill joke
You know that trope in which two people show up to a party wearing the exact same thing? The Indianapolis Colts did that with the kings of NFL schedule release day and it wasn't even their biggest problem.
A schedule release video in which best-selling video game "Minecraft" is used to roast every opponent is such a specific idea, and yet the Colts and Los Angeles Chargers both did exactly that on Wednesday. The Chargers have been doing stuff like this for years, first with anime in 2022 and 2023, then "The Sims" in 2024.
In the case of 2025, the Chargers used the Microsoft-published title to take digs at Jameis Winston, Mike McDaniel, the Colts' QB battle, the Minnesota Vikings' playoff stumble, the Pittsburgh Steelers' purgatory, the Tuck Rule, Jason Kelce's phone destruction, the Kansas City Chiefs' Super Bowl destruction (maybe a bridge too far for the ring-less Chargers) and the Micah Parsons-DeMarcus Lawrence feud.
should we REALLY make our schedule release video in minecraft?yes yes yesyesyesyes yes yes yesyes yes yes yes yesyes yesyes yes yesyes yesye yes yesyes yes yesyes pic.twitter.com/gxk31Dql5L
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) May 15, 2025
It got awkward, however, when the Colts posted a shockingly similar video. We also can't give you the Colts' tweet with the video, because it was taken down roughly an hour after it was posted. That decision raised eyebrows until the team released a statement Thursday.
In that statement, the Colts explained the video was taken down due to a rights issue with Microsoft and an inappropriate joke about Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill. Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Colts also reached out to Hill's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, to pass along their apologies.
Statement from the Colts: "We removed our schedule release video because it exceeded our rights with Microsoft and included an insensitive clip involving Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill. We sincerely apologize to Microsoft and Tyreek."
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) May 15, 2025
Fortunately, the internet is rather good at preserving stuff like this. As you can see, the Colts' production values are a step behind the Chargers', but we'd argue the roasts are of a similar quality.
That's fine, I downloaded the Minecraft schedule release for the Colts 🤷🏾♂️. pic.twitter.com/JJdSPkJIKN
— CLew 🏈🏀⚾️🥊 (@droppedballspod) May 15, 2025
So, why were the Chargers allowed to keep their video up? The Chargers thought about the rights issue before posting the video. The team obtained Microsoft's blessing to use Minecraft, and started its video by stating, "Minecraft used with permission from Microsoft Corporation." The Colts had no such message. We will also point out the Washington Commanders' "Roller Coaster Tycoon" parody, the Atlanta Falcons' "Mario Kart" parody and the San Francisco 49ers' "Oregon Trail" parody all don't feature the actual names or logos of the games those teams are spoofing.
It also appears the joke about Tyreek Hill's maritime legal troubles, might have been too spicy for someone's tastes.
The Colts did at least have a backup video, in which they just have players guess whom they're playing. Some teams will make multiple videos for schedule release day, such as the Los Angeles Rams putting out a Brenda Song local news parody and a player guessing game similar to the Colts'.
Close enough. pic.twitter.com/TgFrLatc2P
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) May 15, 2025
Meanwhile, the New York Jets just decided to have fun with the situation.
we had a Minecraft video ready, but decided to change it last minute. our turn now. 😉∞️ pic.twitter.com/i7H3uInir2
— New York Jets (@nyjets) May 15, 2025
This all goes to show you really never know what's going to happen on NFL schedule release day.
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