Madden Football is one of the highest selling sport video games. Each year a player is chosen to grace the cover. Since 2001, each player has had a TERRIBLE season usually do to injury after appearing on the cover. This is known as the Madden Curse. Some people think its all a myth and some fans truly believe in it. Decide for yourself….
In 2001 Eddie George graced the cover of Madden. His team lost the playoffs that year, due to him not catching a pass and it being intercepted and returned for a touchdown. The next season Eddie George suffered different injuries, and did not see an increase in stats.
Dante Culpepper threw 23 interceptions and had a knee injury after appearing on the 2002 cover. Culpepper broke the record for most fumbles in a season
2003 Marshall Faulk’s total yardage dropped, his team did not make it to the playoffs and he suffered an injury requiring reconstructive surgery.
Michael Vick broke his leg one day after Madden 2004 was released. He did not play the first 12 games. (Season is 16 games)
Baltimore Ravens Ray Lewis was on the cover of Madden 2005. He had the ONLY season in his NFL career without an interception after being on the cover! He also suffered a wrist injury one week before the end of the regular season.
Donovan McNabb was on the cover of Madden 2006. He suffered a sports hernia in the first game of the season. He also tore his ACL and meniscus in his right knee. Surgery was needed and he missed the rest of the season.
Madden 2007 is said to be the highest selling Madden to date. Shaun Alexander was featured on the cover. He broke his left foot, missing 6 games. Some believe Alexander’s run game has not been the same since.
Vince Young, who was on the cover of Madden 08, is the luckiest of them all. He only suffered a minor injury, missing one game. This was the first time since high school that Young missed a game due to injury.
The cover of Madden 2009 was graced my none other than Brett Favre. Due Favre not being about to make his mind up about retirement, EA had to change the cover when he was traded to the NY Jets. He threw 22 interceptions and continued to play even though he had a shoulder injury.
Larry Fitzgerald and Troy Polamalu were on the cover of Madden 2010. Fitzgerald had a really good season- 97 receptions and 13 touchdowns, but injured his ribs and could not play in the pro bowl. Polamalu sprained his MCL and tore his PCL.
Drew Brees is on the cover of Madden 2011. The 2010 season yielded 33 touchdowns, 22 interceptions and 9 fumbles.
* More stats on each player can be found on the NFL website*
Many people are firm believers that ANYONE who is on the cover of Madden NFL
Football will be cursed with injury and/or a terrible season. Some players turn down offers because they are believers in the curse. When looking at the facts, it seems the curse is real. Then again, if you don’t believe in something is it still real? If it isn’t real, it’s a pretty big coincidence that the players that have been on the cover suffer. If it’s such a big deal, why do athletes still agree to be on the cover? Most think they are invincible and nothing can happen to them.
Personally, I haven’t decided if the curse is real. I hope for the sake of the players its all a terrible coincidence and its safe to be on the cover of the greatest NFL video game. I guess the college athletes on NCAA football should be lucky they don’t have terrible seasons after being on the cover.
EA sports is thinking of making a movie about the Madden Curse. I think it will be interesting to see and will let others know of the curse.
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