I'll put a curse on your ass!!!

I always wondered why NFL players are so happy to be on the cover of the John Madden football games. Call me crazy but I really do believe there is a Madden Curse. It goes back to when players began to be on the cover in 2001.

 

Eddie George 2001

3.4 yds per Att.

After George appeared on the cover of Madden 2001, Tennessee was upset in the AFC playoffs at home by the Baltimore Ravens. Hampered by injuries and perhaps shaken by a concussive hit from Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis, George rushed for just 939 yards and averaged just three yards per carry.

 

Daunte Culpepper 2002

78.5 QB Rating

This time it was Minnesota quarterback Daunte Culpepper's turn to feel the hurt. After a Pro Bowl campaign in 2001 that saw Culpepper throw for 33 touchdowns and nearly 4,000 yards while leading the Vikings to the NFC title game, he was put on the cover of Madden 2002. The Vikings promptly dropped to 5-11, while Culpepper struggled his way to a season ending knee injury and a 78.5 QB rating. 

 

Marshal Faulk 2003

Ankle Injury

Marshall Faulk entered the season as the featured weapon on a Rams squad expected to atone for a Super Bowl upset loss to the New England Patriots. Instead, the Rams finished 7-9 and Faulk rushed for less than 1,000 yards in an injury-riddled season.

 

Michael Vick 2004

Broken Leg

The flashy QB started to grow in popularity after the Falcons upset the Packers at Lambeau Field in the playoffs the season before. But while playing against the Ravens in a preseason game he breaks his leg while being tackled. Vick misses most of the season and the Falcons fail to make it to the playoffs. Oh and just so you know, the coach at the time Dan Reeves was "fired" during the end of the season.

Ray Lewis 2005
Broken Wrist
I know some people that thought Lewis was going to break the curse. Well he didn't!! Yes he had 146 tackles (which is actually below is career average) but Lewis broke his wrist during the last game of the regular season and the Ravens failed to make it to the playoffs.

 

And now...

Donovan McNabb 2006

Sports Hernia

My favorite player, the second best QB in the league, and the only reason why I watch Eagles' games. Yes Donovan McNabb is on the cover of the new Madden football game. When I found out this was going to happen I knew the Eagles were going to be in trouble this season. McNabb has a tear in the abdominal area (sports hernia) and needs surgery (click here to read the McNabb Will Need Surgery, but Plans to Play story) to fix the problem. He can still play but it will be painful. He also has a bruised chest and a shin contusion. Chunky soup isn't gonna fix all these injuries. 

 

McNabb needs to be healthy for the Eagles to have a chance to win the Super Bowl. He's at his best when he scrabbles. With all the injuries McNabb has, I'm not even sure the Eagles can win the NFC this year. And the sad thing is, that their window of opportunity is coming to an end.