NFL Alumni Association and Microsoft held their annual Madden 19 back to school tournament at Microsoft in Somerset Mall on Sunday.
The organizers brought in extra security and required bag checks in response to the mass shooting at a Madden tournament in Jacksonville earlier that day.
“We did call him in and have him bring in some extra security just so the people can be safe or feel safe but I think there are no issues here," said organizer and former NFL player Tim Walton.
Approximately 30 preteens and teens showed up to play in the event.
There were no safety issues at the event, but the mass shooting of their gaming family was on their minds.
“I’m very saddened by what I heard and I just heard about it on our way here to our tournament. I’m really sad about that," Walton said.
“I think it was wrong for people to take it extremely crazily over what happened, over losing a game. It’s just a game. It’s not anything serious," said Madden player Elijah Smith.
Walton said they would assess whether to have increased security at other future events.
