Madden 1999 - Garrison Hearst

Had a good season but broke his ankle in the playoffs and missed two years.

Madden 2000 - Barry Sanders/Dorsey Levens

All of a sudden came to the conclusion to retire before the season even started.
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Battled ankle injury, Packers missed the playoffs, released 2 years later.

Madden 2001 - Eddie George

Had a great season. Then in the playoffs caused a pass to be intercepted to lose the game. He never broke a 1,000 yards rushing ever again.

Madden 2002 - Daunte Culpepper

Vikings struggled and then Culpepper missed the last 5 games after he injured his knee.

Madden 2003 - Marshall Faulk

Battled an injury all year and failed to reach 1,000 yards rushing in 5 seasons. Never hit 1,000 yards rushing ever again.

Madden 2004 - Michael Vick

Broke his leg one day after Madden 2004 released. Missed almost the entire season only playing the last 5 games.

Madden 2005 - Ray Lewis

Failed to get an interception for the first time in his career and sat out the last game because of injury. The next year he only played 6 games after suffering another injury.

Madden 2006 - Donovan McNabb

Suffered a sports hernia in the very first game. Tried to play through it but struggled. He finally ended up having surgery 1/2 way through the season and the Eagles finished last in the division.

Madden 2007 - Shaun Alexander

He broke his foot just a few games into the season and missed 6 games. Never was the same after that. He's currently a free agent.

Madden 2008 - Vince Young

Injured his leg early in the season and caused him to miss the 1st football game of his LIFE. He had a mediocre season that year. An even worse season the next year. And lost his starting job to Kerry Collins the year after that.

Madden 2009 - Brett Favre

EA thought they'd break the string of curses by putting a retired player on the cover. But Favre unretired, caused a huge fiasco and had an ugly divorce with the team. Then went to the Jets where he played MVP-caliber football until the last 4 games of the season where he tried to battle through an injury and stunk it up. And went from MVP to being nudged out of town after losing to the Dolphins in the final game to miss the playoffs.

Madden 2010 - Larry Fitzgerald/Troy Polamalu

EA put two guys on the cover this year to double their chances of avoiding the curse. But last night, Polamalu strained his MCL in the first game of the season and will miss 3-6 weeks.

Larry Fitzgerald...(still pending)


Guys, the curse has effected every player. Now George is the only person that didn't struggle the year he was on the cover from an injury. The curse got him but not in the traditional sense. This is why I leave Madden cover athletes off my rankings.

Sure Fitzgerald could have a monster year and falter in the playoffs, but Madden history says that's a 10% chance. 90% chance says the curse injures him. 0% chance he avoids the curse. You could gamble and say he has a "Eddie George season" but I'd get value for him now.

I'm totally on board with your Vots, I play in IDP league and specifically stayed away from Troy because of this. You don't have to buy into it folks, but the facts don't lie.

One more thing on Fitzgerald... I say if the injury bug doesn't get him, I think it'll get Warner to adversely affect Fitzgerald. This curse works in crazy ways.

When are players going to start refusing to be on the cover? I know I would.

The Madden Curse has hit again...Troy is down..now fitz next? I hope not..hes my Fantasy WR

And of course it happens a week before they're scheduled to play the Bears.

The Madden curse will never die...

Question?

If Fitz has a monster year (like some other Cover Guys before him) - doesnt get injured, cause a critical interception or run anybody over...is the curse over?

With two guys on the cover...if they both dont suffer some supernatural decline or adverse affect...does that mean the curse has been broken? and all future CoverGuys can breathe easy?

Btw..I dont accept the "Warner will be affected and thereby affect Fitz" connection as "the curse in action."
I'd simply call that bad luck.

I believe in the curse. These cannot possibly all be coincidences cant they?

... but eventually one of the players featured on the cover very well might.

The Packer brass should make sure Rodgers never gets his turn.

Yeah, I would call that curse over then.

But, it's just not going to happen.

Fitzgerald's career will be effected somehow, I'd get value for him now. I wouldn't take any chances.

Polamalu injures his knee in the first game of the season after making a sick one handed INT early on.

Expected to be out 3-6 weeks with a sprained MCL. We'll see if it affects his game or the team.

Look out Fitz. . . the curse is coming for you.

It's like the NFL's version of Final Destination.

Everybody please pray!! Fitz is my main stud!! I have Andre Johnson so the blow won't be too fierce!!

I bet he'll be fine. In fact, I recommend you convince his current owner to trade him to you...for your 3rd WR...so you reap the benefit of what will be a monster year.

This "curse" ends now!

As I said on a different thread.....
Trade for Fitz (or hold on to him..) as he's going to have a monster year.

The "curse" is over....spread the word!

Madden Curse is BS, trade me fitz.