John Motson's voice has been synonymous with English football for generations, his commentary guiding countless fans through matches with the kind of authoritative yet affable style that only he could provide. Unsurprisingly, when EA Canada and Electronic Arts expanded their FIFA series in the '90s to include commentary, Motson was an immediate choice for the role. From FIFA 96 to FIFA 05, and even a return performance in FIFA Manager 08, Motson became the voice of virtual football for a decade.
However, away from the action on the pitch, it is one of the FIFA series' more obscure moments that has solidified Motson's place in football—and video game—lore. A hidden track in FIFA 97, fondly known as "Motty's Rap," serves as one of the game's most memorable Easter Eggs. This track contained a series of amusing and nonsensical phrases spoken by Motson, and could be accessed by placing the game disc into a CD player or utilizing the Sega Saturn's music player.
Credit for this Easter Egg has often mistakenly been given to musician Graeme Coleman, who is recognized for much of the FIFA 97 soundtrack. However, the true architect of "Motty's Rap" was EA composer and audio designer Robert Bailey. Bailey, having spent time in the studio with Motson, encouraged him to record a number of ridiculous phrases. Some of these now-famous lines include "That is the fattest bottom end I've ever heard" and "This reminds me of touring with the Sex Pistols."
In creating the Easter Egg, Bailey and his team captured Motson's most outlandish statements and married them to an intentionally cheesy beat, garnished with a bit of guitar. The result was a comical and endearing track that juxtaposed Motson's reputable commentary with an irreverent and lighthearted tone. Bailey, in retrospect, expressed his fondness for the creation, sharing his wish to have a copy of it due to its hilarity.
The inclusion of such Easter Eggs in EA's sports games has a storied tradition, often hidden as a treat for the most dedicated players. But contrary to some theories, "Motty's Rap" wasn't covertly slipped into FIFA 97. Instead, it received the full endorsement of the studio, with executive producer Bruce McMillan being particularly fond of Easter Eggs, firmly approving the inclusion of Motson's track.
The legacy of "Motty's Rap" extends beyond mere trivia. It illustrates the playful side of the FIFA series, a franchise often criticized for being too incremental in its yearly updates. Small surprises like this one added a human touch to the game, showcasing the developers' willingness to experiment and have fun. It was an ode to the days when discovering secret content meant more than just a quick Google search—it required a mixture of curiosity and gaming lore passed down through word of mouth or gaming magazines.
For fans of the game and curious newcomers alike, "Motty's Rap" is a delightful nugget of gaming history, offering a glimpse into the lighter side of a commentator who, for so many, was the serious and knowledgeable voice of football. It adds a layer of personality not just to John Motson, but to a game series that has become a cornerstone of sports gaming culture.
The discoverability of "Motty's Rap" rests on the collaboration between a renowned commentator and an imaginative sound team, a blend that captures the essence of what makes gaming Easter Eggs so enjoyable. While the track is now easily accessible online, thanks to platforms like YouTube, something remains special about hearing John Motson's voice in a manner so far removed from what fans might expect. These unique moments in gaming history remind us that even the most serious figures in sport can have an entertaining and unexpected side, echoing in the memories of gamers long after the console has been switched off.
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