Colts delete ‘Minecraft’ schedule video after Microsoft rights difficulty and Tyreek Hill joke, issuing apology and posting backup content material.
Within the NFL, drama normally unfolds on the sphere. However each spring, there’s a distinct sort of theater—one measured in creativity, digital storytelling, and the high-quality artwork of the roast. Schedule launch day has grow to be its personal stage.
Groups commerce touchdowns for punchlines, quarterbacks for cartoons. However this yr, amid the laughs and viral moments, one staff crossed a line. The Indianapolis Colts posted a “Minecraft”-inspired video meant to poke enjoyable at their 2025 opponents. Inside the hour, it was gone. As a substitute? Apology. Clarification. And a quiet reminder that even pixels have penalties.
The Video That Vanished
It was intelligent, it was sharp, and it was short-lived.
On schedule launch day, the Colts leaned into the development—borrowing from the wildly well-liked sport Minecraft to craft a world the place every opponent was met with a custom-made jab. They weren’t alone. The Chargers had carried out the identical, including to a current historical past of viral releases (anime in 2022, The Sims in 2024) that mix satire with popular culture polish.
ought to we REALLY make our schedule launch video in minecraft?
sure sure yesyes
yesyes sure sure sure
sure sure sure sure sure
sure yesyes sure sure
sure yesye sure sure
sure sure yesyes pic.twitter.com/gxk31Dql5L— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) Might 15, 2025
However in contrast to the Chargers, the Colts missed an important step: permission. The video featured Minecraft-branded visuals and belongings with out Microsoft’s approval. It additionally included a joke on the expense of Dolphins star Tyreek Hill, referencing his off-field authorized hassle—one which didn’t land the way in which they hoped.
For these asking why the #Chargers’ schedule launch video continues to be up, they made an announcement initially of it stating clearly that they bought permission from Microsoft to make use of the Minecraft theme.
The #Colts’ schedule launch video didn’t embody this clearance. https://t.co/0ywFLkyVjz pic.twitter.com/Q8jyzLfP2Q
— James Boyd (@RomeovilleKid) Might 15, 2025
Lower than an hour after posting it, the Colts deleted the video. A press release adopted: it had violated mental property tips, and the joke about Hill crossed a line. The staff apologized to Hill’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, straight. The second had handed—however the screenshot-laden web had already preserved it.
It was a digital misstep. However greater than that, it was a reminder: in a second constructed for laughter, tone nonetheless issues.
When Creativity Crosses the Line
The NFL has lengthy since realized that schedule launch day is extra than simply dates and locations. It’s branding. It’s a canvas. And lately, groups have pushed that canvas additional.
This yr alone, we noticed parodies from the Washington Commanders (Curler Coaster Tycoon), Atlanta Falcons (Mario Kart), and the 49ers (Oregon Path). However there’s a motive these movies stayed on-line: they averted utilizing the precise names and logos of the video games they spoofed.
That’s high-quality, I downloaded the Minecraft schedule launch for the Colts 🤷🏾♂️. pic.twitter.com/JJdSPkJIKN
— CLew 🏈🏀⚾️🥊 (@droppedballspod) Might 15, 2025
The Chargers’ model of the Minecraft video remained stay—as a result of they thought forward. Their opening message made it clear: Minecraft used with permission from Microsoft Company. A small line, however one which made all of the distinction.
The Colts, of their rush to maintain tempo with a viral second, missed that step. Their manufacturing values could have lagged barely behind the Chargers’, however their jokes had been simply as pointed—too pointed in a single case. Whereas Tyreek Hill himself appeared unbothered—tweeting that the Colts ought to have left the video up—the group opted for accountability over virality.
It’s a fragile steadiness. Humor invitations threat. However when creativity edges into controversy, even one of the best concepts can unravel.
The Apology, the Backup Plan, and the Greater Image
Within the aftermath, the Colts didn’t keep silent.
Their official assertion was direct. They acknowledged the mental property oversight. They addressed the inappropriate joke. They apologized—to Microsoft, to Hill, and to their followers. There was no defensiveness. Simply possession.
Additionally they had a Plan B. A second, easier schedule launch video adopted—gamers guessing opponents, laughs shared extra gently. It didn’t go viral. It wasn’t speculated to. It was a reset.
Different groups, just like the Rams, had layered content material for the day—one video for social media punchlines, one other for native taste. The Colts, within the wake of a mistake, leaned on humility.
Is it the Minecraft video? No.
However I bought a chuckle on the rush-job work they needed to do for the schedule launch redo video.
Whoever did it, I applaud your quick discover work https://t.co/kjVUszNMZV
— Jay Robins 🧾mark (@RobinsLucas) Might 15, 2025
And perhaps that’s the true takeaway.
Schedule launch day has grow to be a snapshot of who groups are when the cleats come off. The jokes, the enjoyment, the creativity—all of it issues. However so does the flexibility to confess when the second goes too far. Within the Colts’ case, they took a swing, missed the mark, and selected grace.
The sport continues to be months away.
However on this play, the Colts selected character.
