To hear some tell it, the Madden curse is real. But Tom Brady, who appears on the Madden 18 cover, ain’t trying to hear it.
His New England Patriots teammate Rob Gronkowski succumbed last year to its mystical downfall after appearing on the cover of the incredibly successful EA Sports video game with a back injury that limited him to eight games.
Marshall Faulk made the Madden cover in 2002 after rushing for at least 1,000 yards in seven of his first eight NFL seasons. He never crossed the 1,000 yard plateau again.
Michael Vick suffered a fractured fibula during a Falcons preseason game and missed the first 11 regular season games after appearing on the cover in 2003.
Daunte Culpepper threw a ridiculous 33 touchdown passes in 2000. After getting the Madden cover in 2001, he had 14 touchdowns and 13 interceptions before a knee injury forced him to miss the team’s last five regular season games.
Vince Young, Donovan McNabb, Garrison Hearst, Shaun Alexander and others were apparent victims as well.
But some players, like Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson, who appeared on the cover of Madden 13 and proceeded to set the NFL single-season receiving yards record, and Seahawks defensive back Richard Sherman, who graced the cover of Madden 15 and went on to be named an NFL First-Team All-Pro, avoided the so-called curse.
Brady believes that he’ll do the same, now as the cover for the GOAT edition of the game.
In an EA-issued statement, Brady said, The cover is a great honor for me. Especially since I have been playing the game since growing up next to EA headquarters in the Bay Area. Im not one to believe in curses, so Im ready to take the challenge head on like always! It doesnt stand a chance!!!
