The Madden Curse, also known as the Madden Cover Jinx, is a myth involving the video game series Madden NFL, stating that during or after the season, if a player appears on the cover solo, that player will be cursed with either an injury or poor performance. Computer and video games redirects here. ... Madden NFL is an American football video game series developed by Electronic Arts Tiburon for EA Sports. ...

Prior to 1999, the cover consisted of a prominent image of John Madden, occasionally appearing with some player graphics as a background accent to the cover design. Since 1999, notable NFL players have endorsed the game each year with their image displayed prominently on the front cover of at least one version of the game, and John Madden's association is now largely based in the game series' title. For other persons of the same name, see John Madden. ...

Many players who have appeared on the cover since 1999 have generally failed to reproduce their success of the previous years, for a variety of reasons. Marshall Faulk, Daunte Culpepper, Michael Vick, Ray Lewis, Donovan McNabb, and Shaun Alexander all have suffered significant playing injuries in the season that they appeared on the cover. These performances and injuries resulted in speculation of a curse. The "Madden Curse" has evolved into a much-reported phenomenon, with several news and sports media outlets referring to it as a phenomenon on par with the fabled Sports Illustrated cover jinx. This article does not cite any references or sources. ... Daunte Culpepper (born January 28, 1977 in Ocala, Florida) is an American football quarterback who plays for the Oakland Raiders of the National Football League. ... Michael Dwayne Vick (born June 26, 1980 in Newport News, Virginia) is an American football quarterback for the National Football Leagues Atlanta Falcons franchise. ... For others of the same name, see Ray Lewis (disambiguation). ... Donovan Jamal McNabb (born November 25, 1976 in Chicago, Illinois) is an American football quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League. ... Shaun Edward Alexander (born August 30, 1977 in Florence, Kentucky) is an American football player in the National Football League. ... For other uses, see Phenomena (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see News (disambiguation). ... A sport consists of a physical activity or skill carried out with a recreational purpose: for competition, for self-enjoyment, to attain excellence, for the development of a skill, or some combination of these. ... The Sports Illustrated Jinx is a myth that states that individuals or teams who appear on the cover of the Sports Illustrated magazine will experience bad luck at varying lengths into the future. ...

In total, the eleven cover players since 1999 had a total of forty Pro Bowl appearances prior to their Madden cover appearances, compared with just four Pro Bowl appearances afterward. In professional American football, the Pro Bowl is the all-star game of the National Football League (NFL). ...

Cover athletes

Garrison Hearst (1999)

Garrison Hearst was the first player to ever be featured solo on a Madden cover, appearing on Madden NFL 99. Hearst's 1998 season was the best of his career, rushing for 1,570 yards and seven touchdowns. He led the San Francisco 49ers to the playoffs and a wild card win over the Green Bay Packers, but on the first play of the divisional game versus the Atlanta Falcons, he suffered a bad ankle break and his team would go on to lose the game. He did not play again until 2001. Gerald Garrison Hearst (born January 4, 1971) is a former NFL running back who last played for the NFLs Denver Broncos in 2004. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... City San Francisco, California Other nicknames Niners, The Red And Gold, Bay Bombers Team colors Cardinal red, metallic gold and black Head Coach Mike Nolan Owner Denise DeBartolo York and John York General manager Lal Heneghan Mascot Sourdough Sam League/Conference affiliations All-America Football Conference (1946-1949) Western Division... Packers redirects here. ... League/Conference affiliations National Football League (1966–present) Eastern Conference (1966) Western Conference (1967-69) Coastal Division (1967-1969) National Football Conference (1970-present) NFC West (1970-2001) NFC South (2002-present) Current uniform Team colors Black, Red, Silver and White Mascot Freddie Falcon Personnel Owner Arthur Blank General Manager...

(It is worth noting that there are two versions of the Madden NFL '99 cover, one with an image of Hearst--primarily on European market PAL versions--and the more common one in North America with John Madden's image.) For other uses, see Europe (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see PAL (disambiguation). ...

Dorsey Levens (2000)

Dorsey Levens emerged as one of the premier running backs in football in 1997, rushing for over 1,400 yards and getting voted to the Pro Bowl. However, he injured his knee during the 1998 season and was never quite the same. He gained over 1,000 yards for the Green Bay Packers in the 1999 season, but was mostly used in a reserve role for the next two years. Levens was released by the team in 2001, used sparingly in a back-up role with the Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants after that, and was essentially out of football by the end of 2004. Dorsey Levens is a former American NFL running back. ... Packers redirects here. ... City Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Team colors Midnight Green, Black, White, and Silver Head Coach Andy Reid Owner Jeffrey Lurie General manager Tom Heckert Fight song Fly, Eagles Fly Mascot Swoop League/Conference affiliations National Football League (1933–present) Eastern Division (1933-1949) American Conference (1950-1952) Eastern Conference (1953-1969) Capitol... This article is about the current National Football League team. ...

(Levens was the cover athlete for the European PAL versions of Madden NFL 2000.) Screenshot of Madden NFL 2001 (Nintendo 64) Screenshot of John Madden Football 93 (Sega Genesis) Madden NFL is an American football video game developed by Electronic Arts Tiburon (EA) for EA Sports. ...

Eddie George (2001)

Eddie George, then of the Tennessee Titans, who graced the Madden NFL 2001 box, is often said to be the first 'cursed' player, if only covers of North American releases with solo shots of a player "count". Running counter to a curse, for the year that he was on the cover, he had career highs in yardage and touchdowns. Curse advocates point to the 2001 season following his appearance on the cover, during which he averaged only 3 yards per carry and rushed for career lows of 939 yards and 5 touchdowns due to a nagging toe injury that bothered him the entire season. For the rest of his career, he never averaged more than 3.4 yards per carry. Edward Nathan George, Jr. ... City Nashville, Tennessee Team colors Navy, Titan Blue, White, and Red Head Coach Jeff Fisher Owner Bud Adams General manager Mike Reinfeldt Mascot T-Rac League/Conference affiliations American Football League (1960–1969) Eastern Division (1960–1969) National Football League (1970–present) American Football Conference (1970–present) AFC Central (1970... Screenshot of Madden NFL 2001 (Nintendo 64) Screenshot of John Madden Football 93 (Sega Genesis) Madden NFL is an American football video game developed by Electronic Arts Tiburon (EA) for EA Sports. ...

George's curse can be argued to have started the year he was on the cover because in the 2001 AFC Divisional Playoff game George had a costly fumble that lost the game for Tennessee. He also fumbled 8 times during the 2000 regular season, losing a career high 4 fumbles. In a playoff game against the Ravens, Eddie George bobbled a pass that was intercepted by Ray Lewis who ran it back for a touchdown for the eventual winning score.

Daunte Culpepper (2002)

Former Minnesota Vikings star quarterback Daunte Culpepper appeared on the Madden NFL 2002 cover after throwing for nearly 4,000 yards and 33 touchdowns while rushing for 470 yards and 7 more scores in the 2000 season. However, Culpepper struggled with turnovers in the first 11 games of the 2001 season, throwing 13 interceptions and only 14 touchdown passes. A back injury ended his season in the 11th game. League/Conference affiliations National Football League (1961–present) Western Conference (1961-1969) Central Division (1967-1969) National Football Conference (1970-present) NFC Central (1970-2001) NFC North (2002-present) Current uniform Team colors Purple, Gold, White Fight song Skol, Vikings Mascot Viktor the Viking, Ragnar Personnel Owner Zygi Wilf General... Navy quarterback Aaron Polanco sets up to throw. ... Daunte Culpepper (born January 28, 1977 in Ocala, Florida) is an American football quarterback who plays for the Oakland Raiders of the National Football League. ... Screenshot Madden NFL 2001 (Nintendo 64) Madden NFL is an American football video game developed by Electronic Arts Tiburon (EA) for EA Sports. ...

Marshall Faulk (2003)

The cover of Madden NFL featured St. Louis Rams running back Marshall Faulk whose rushing and receiveing help lift the Rams to the Super Bowl twice in the past two years. But, plagued with an injured ankle in the 2002 season, his rushing total dropped under 1000 yards after four straight seasons of 1300+ yards each. The Rams missed the playoffs with a 7-9 record. League/Conference affiliations American Football League (1936) National Football League (1937–present) Western Division (1937-1949) National Conference (1950-1952) Western Conference (1953-1969) Coastal Division (1967-1969) National Football Conference (1970-present) NFC West (1970-present) Current uniform Team colors Millennium Blue and New Century Gold Personnel Owner Chip... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... The winning Super Bowl team receives the Vince Lombardi Trophy. ...

Michael Vick (2004)

Five days after Madden NFL 2004 was released, which featured Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick on the cover, he was injured during a preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens, suffering a fractured right fibula. Vick played in only the last 5 regular season games, finishing with just 585 yards passing and 4 touchdowns. The Atlanta Falcons missed the playoffs and were already out of contention by the time Vick returned from his injury. The Falcons finished the season with a record of 5-11, a drop from their 9-6-1 record the season prior. He's also now serving prison time. Madden NFL 2004 is the 14th installment of the Madden NFL series. ... League/Conference affiliations National Football League (1966–present) Eastern Conference (1966) Western Conference (1967-69) Coastal Division (1967-1969) National Football Conference (1970-present) NFC West (1970-2001) NFC South (2002-present) Current uniform Team colors Black, Red, Silver and White Mascot Freddie Falcon Personnel Owner Arthur Blank General Manager... Michael Dwayne Vick (born June 26, 1980 in Newport News, Virginia) is an American football quarterback for the National Football Leagues Atlanta Falcons franchise. ... City Baltimore, Maryland Team colors Purple, Black, and Gold Head Coach Brian Billick Owner Steve Bisciotti General manager Ozzie Newsome Mascot The Ravens: Edgar, Allan, & Poe League/Conference affiliations National Football League (1996–present) American Football Conference (1996-present) AFC Central (1996-2001) AFC North (2002-present) Team history Baltimore... For other uses see fibula (disambiguation) The fibula or calf bone is a bone placed on the lateral side of the tibia, with which it is connected above and below. ...

Ray Lewis (2005)

Madden NFL 2005 featured Ray Lewis of the Baltimore Ravens, the first defensive player ever to appear on the cover of a Madden game. It was Lewis' first season without a single interception, after posting a career-high 6 the previous year, although interceptions are a secondary statistic for linebackers. He recorded 147 tackles in 15 games played, breaking his arm in week 15 and missing week 17. The Baltimore Ravens also failed to make the playoffs that season after winning their division the year before. Madden NFL 2005 is a football video game. ... For others of the same name, see Ray Lewis (disambiguation). ... City Baltimore, Maryland Team colors Purple, Black, and Gold Head Coach Brian Billick Owner Steve Bisciotti General manager Ozzie Newsome Mascot The Ravens: Edgar, Allan, & Poe League/Conference affiliations National Football League (1996–present) American Football Conference (1996-present) AFC Central (1996-2001) AFC North (2002-present) Team history Baltimore...

Donovan McNabb (2006)

QB Donovan McNabb, who was featured on the cover of Madden NFL 06, led the Philadelphia Eagles to Super Bowl XXXIX with a 13-3 regular season record to face the New England Patriots. He ended 2004 throwing just shy of 4,000 yards and throwing for 31 passing touchdowns with only 8 interceptions. He also rushed for an additional 3 TDs. However, during the 2005-2006 season, in which he was on the Madden cover, McNabb suffered a sports hernia, but elected to play until after the November 14th game against the Dallas Cowboys. During this game, McNabb was knocked down after an interception return by Roy Williams, aggravating the injury. The same year after gracing the Madden cover he also lost his wide receivers Freddie Mitchell and Terrell Owens. He then elected to have a season-ending surgery that was required to repair the injury. Donovan Jamal McNabb (born November 25, 1976 in Chicago, Illinois) is an American football quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League. ... QB vision in Madden NFL 06. ... City Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Team colors Midnight Green, Black, White, and Silver Head Coach Andy Reid Owner Jeffrey Lurie General manager Tom Heckert Fight song Fly, Eagles Fly Mascot Swoop League/Conference affiliations National Football League (1933–present) Eastern Division (1933-1949) American Conference (1950-1952) Eastern Conference (1953-1969) Capitol... Date February 6, 2005 Stadium ALLTEL Stadium City Jacksonville, Florida MVP Deion Branch, Wide receiver Favorite Patriots by 7 National anthem Combined choirs of the U.S. Military Academy, the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Air Force Academy, and the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, and U.S... City Foxborough, Massachusetts Other nicknames The Pats Team colors Nautical Blue, New Century Silver, Red, and White Head Coach Bill Belichick Owner Robert Kraft General manager Bill Belichick (de facto) Mascot Pat Patriot League/Conference affiliations American Football League (1960–69) Eastern Division (1960–69) National Football League (1970–present... Athletic pubalgia, also called the sportmans hernia or sports hernia, Gilmores groin or groin disruption, is a medical condition of the groin affecting sportspeople[1]. Jerry Gilmore recognized the syndrome in 1980 and developed a surgical repair technique. ... City Irving, Texas Other nicknames Americas Team, The Boys, The Pokes Team colors White, Silver, Silver-Green, Royal Blue, Navy Blue Head Coach Wade Phillips Owner Jerry Jones General manager Jerry Jones League/Conference affiliations National Football League (1960–present) Western Conference (1960) Eastern Conference (1961-1969) Capitol Division... For others of the same name, see Roy Williams. ...

Shaun Alexander (2007)

Seahawks RB Shaun Alexander, who appeared on the cover of Madden NFL 07, had one of the best statistical seasons ever in the 2005-2006 season, as he rushed for 1,880 yards and scored what was a record 28 total touchdowns (27 rushing). Alexander, who had missed one start in his previous 64 contests, fractured the 4th metatarsal in his foot after he was on the cover. He missed six starts and failed to rush for 1,000 yards for the first time since 2000. Additionally, his touchdown record from the previous year was broken by LaDainian Tomlinson, who scored 31 touchdowns in 16 games. He has now been released from the Seahawks. City Seattle, Washington Team colors Pacific Blue, Navy Blue, Neon Green, White Head Coach Mike Holmgren Owner Paul Allen General manager Tim Ruskell Mascot Blitz, and Taima the hawk League/Conference affiliations National Football League (1976–present) American Football Conference (1977-2001) AFC West (1977-2001) National Football Conference (1976... Shaun Edward Alexander (born August 30, 1977 in Florence, Kentucky) is an American football player in the National Football League. ... Madden NFL 07 is the 2007 edition of the popular Madden NFL series of American football simulations. ... LaDainian Tomlinson (born June 23, 1979) is an American football player who currently plays running back for the San Diego Chargers of the National Football League. ...

Vince Young (2008)

Tennessee Titans QB Vince Young, who appeared on the cover of Madden 08, threw 2,456 yards with 9 passing touchdowns and 17 interceptions in the season of his cover appearance. Barring a drop in just two of his main statistical passing categories, Young improved on every other category from his rookie year, as well as being the spearhead in the achievement of the Titans' first playoff berth in four years. Despite making the playoffs for the first time since 2003, Young was injured just one game of the season at Houston due to a quadricep injury. Vincent Paul Young, Jr. ...

Luis Castillo (2008)

San Diego Chargers DE Luis Castillo appeared on the cover of the first-ever Spanish language version of Madden NFL 08. Castillo, during the 2007 NFL season, suffered an ankle injury that forced him to miss six games. Likewise, his stats from the season before, where he also only played in ten games, showed a statistical drop in virtually every defensive category. Luis Alberto Castillo (born August 4, 1983 in Garfield, New Jersey), is an American football defensive end for the San Diego Chargers of the NFL. // He was selected with the 28th overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft out of Northwestern University, one of the first Dominicans in the NFL... Madden NFL 08 is an American football video game that was published by EA Sports and developed by EA Tiburon. ...

Brett Favre (2009)

Former Green Bay Packers QB Brett Favre has been announced as the cover athlete for Madden NFL 09. He is the only retired player to be featured on the cover. ^[1] Packers redirects here. ... Brett Hillbilly Favre (pronounced Farv, born on October 10, 1969 in Gulfport, Mississippi [1]) is an American football player, currently starting quarterback for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL). ... Madden NFL 09 is the 2009 edition of the American football video game series published by EA Sports and developed by EA Tiburon. ...

References

2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 114th day of the year (115th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 115th day of the year (116th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 304th day of the year (305th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 3rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... ESPN, formerly an acronym for Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, is an American cable television network dedicated to broadcasting and producing sports-related programming 24 hours a day. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 268th day of the year (269th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 3rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... The Associated Press, or AP, is an American news agency, the worlds largest such organization. ... ESPN, formerly an acronym for Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, is an American cable television network dedicated to broadcasting and producing sports-related programming 24 hours a day. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 270th day of the year (271st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 3rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... ABC News logo ABC News Special Report ident, circa 2006 ABC News is a division of American television and radio network ABC, owned by The Walt Disney Company. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 226th day of the year (227th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 3rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... USA Today is a national American daily newspaper published by the Gannett Company. ... Year 2007 (MMVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ... is the 108th day of the year (109th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Anno Domini (or common era), in accordance to the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 3rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ...

See also

• Madden NFL

Madden NFL is an American football video game series developed by Electronic Arts Tiburon for EA Sports. ...

External links

• Official Madden NFL 2007 website