5 NFL players hit by the Madden curse
Millions of NFL fans worldwide buzz about the new Madden game being released by EA every August, just before the season begins. As much as we all look forward to the latest release, we anticipate who will grace the cover of EA's flagship video game.
This is because of the Madden curse, which is known across the NFL world as something affecting a player who goes on to have a bad year or career after becoming the cover athlete for Madden.
There are, of course, some players who have "broken the curse," such as Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes, but the Madden curse has hit many others in NFL history.
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NFL players struck by the Madden curse
#1 - Donovan McNabb (Madden 06)
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb was an established NFL star when he graced the cover of Madden 06, but he would almost immediately become a victim of the Madden curse.
He limped off in the Eagles' season opener with a sports hernia and dealt with several injuries as he missed seven games throughout the season. In what was a season to forget for the quarterback, McNabb would also have a public feud with teammate Terrell Owens.
McNabb would suffer an ACL tear a year later and was never the same quarterback after gracing the Madden cover.
#2 - Daunte Culpepper (Madden 2002)
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Daunte Culpepper graced the cover of Madden 2002, as he and teammate Randy Moss lit up the NFL, leading the Vikings to the 2000 NFC Championship game.
However, after being announced as the Madden cover star, Culpepper fell foul of the Madden curse. He suffered a season-ending knee injury against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Even before the injury, Culpepper didn't seem himself as the Vikings were sitting at 4-7 before he went down. An apparent victim of the Madden curse.