Every year we receive a new iteration of the massively popular Madden series, and every year it seems that the cover star is cursed. Ridiculous as it may sound, it is difficult to deny the extraodinary connection or coincidence (depending on one’s point of view) that continues to prevail. Madden ’07 was released last month with last year’s MVP, Seattle Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander, gracing the cover. And guess what? He’s hurt.
Since Madden 2000, each year’s cover athlete has been stricken with a season-crushing event, their team or their career. Starting in 2000, Barry Sanders decided to retire just before training camp. The PAL version of that year’s Madden featured Dorsey Levens, who gained roughly 800 yards less than his previous year, and finished his career as a journeyman. In Madden 2001, Eddie George had a phenomenal year, but bobbled a pass in the playoffs that cost the Titans the game. Next year in 2002, Daunte Culpepper’s Vikings achieved a record of 4-7, before being shelved with a season-ending injury. The 2003 box sported Marshall Faulk, who suffered an ankle injury and never again managed to rush for 1000 yards in a season. In 2004, the showstopper Michael Vick landed a spot on the cover, only to suffer a fractured fibula in the pre-season; he missed all but 5 games, and the Falcons missed the playoffs with four less wins than their previous season. Ray Lewis bravely graced the cover in 2005, only to break his wrist late in the season–the first of his career where he didn’t have an interception. The Ravens missed the playoffs, and the next year Lewis suffered a season-ending groin injury. After losing in the Super Bowl, Donovan McNabb was placed on the cover of Madden 06. During the season, he suffered a sports hernia that required season-ending surgery.
And now, with Madden 07, MVP Shaun Alexander has suffered a chipped bone in his ankle. While he initially played through the pain, this past week against the Giants he had to be pulled during the fourth quarter and will be out for several weeks.
So, do you believe in the Madden curse? Is it a mysterious voodoo curse brought on by John Madden for being replaced on the cover? Or is it a set of coincidences? Hop on over to the GamerNode forums and let us know what you think.
