Micah Parsons, C.J. Stroud React to Being Cover Stars for ‘NFL PRO ERA’ VR Video Game | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors

Micah Parsons of the Dallas Cowboys and C.J. Stroud of the Houston Texans are going to be the cover athletes for a new, upgraded version of NFL Pro Era virtual reality video game.

The NFL, NFL Players Association and StatusPRO, Inc announced the new iteration of the game on Wednesday, with Parsons and Stroud reacting to being featured on the cover.

“I am a huge gamer, especially VR games and football, so being a cover athlete and playing a key role in NFL PRO ERA is an awesome experience,” said Parsons. “Once I talked with the StatusPRO team and they wanted to add defense to the new version of the game, I knew I wanted to work with them and was thrilled when they wanted me as a feature athlete.”

Stroud called it an “honor” to be on the cover of a game that closely resembles the real-life experience of playing in the NFL.

“It’s an honor to be one of the featured athletes of an incredible game that mirrors playing QB in real life,” the Texans quarterback said. “I love what the team is doing at StatusPRO and once we started conversing I knew I wanted to be involved with NFL PRO ERA and the vision they have to be the best VR game.”

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson was the cover athlete for the original game that debuted in September 2022. The second game in the series was released in October 2023.

NFL Pro Era is the league’s first fully licensed VR simulation game. Past versions allowed gamers to play as the quarterback of their favorite team, giving them a first-person view of the experience competing under the intense spotlight against an attacking defense.

This year’s release will feature an all-new defense single-player mode, as well as updated rosters, team t-shirts, cosmetics and more.

The game is supported by Meta Quest 2, Meta Quest 3 and Meta Quest Pro. Gamers who have either of the first two iterations will have access to the 2025 edition for $19.99. New players will be able to purchase the 2025 edition for $39.99.

Stroud is the first Texans player to be a video-game cover athlete. Parsons is the first Cowboys player to be on the cover of a video game since Terrell Owens was on the Hall of Fame edition of Madden NFL 19.