The Curse of Madden

The Inauguration

Barry Sanders and Dorsey Levens, Madden NFL 2000

Detroit Lions, Running Back (Sanders)
Green Bay Packers, Running Back (Levins)

The Curse:
For Madden 2000, the man himself might have been featured, but in the background was a prophetically shadowy vision of Barry Sanders. But the should-be Hall of Famer wasn't the ideal choice to rep the game, as he shocked the Lions by announcing his retirement before entering training camp in the heat of the 1999 summer. Reportedly, the Lions' losing character prompted his resignation. The fallout for his team and personal life were massive. EA was able to replace Sanders on the cover of pressings in other territories, hooking up Packers back Dorsey Levens as the go-to guy. Perhaps signaling doom for future cover athletes, Levins was cut from the Packers in 2001.

The Comeback:
There was no comeback, at least in football, for Sanders. Fans weren't the only ones disappointed and angry with his retreat; he lost a civil suit with the Lions, who claimed his abrupt departure from the field left him owing the franchise a balance of $7.3M on his contract. Levins played backup for the Eagles and Giants, rejoining the Packers before an offseason retirement in 2006.

The Injuries

The curse's worst effects are physical. Appearing on the cover is slightly less dangerous than skydiving with no chute, but far more treacherous than re-enacting stunts from Jackass while drinking.

Marshall Faulk, Madden NFL 2003

St. Louis Rams, Running Back

The Curse:
Marshall Faulk was one of the game's brightest. He's been the NFL MVP and the Player of the Year. Like Garrison Heart, Faulk suffered an ankle injury, but he got off easy, missing only five games. But his performance trailed off afterward and he never duplicated the amazing play that thrilled Rams fans from '99-'01.

The Comeback:
Faulk's role on the Rams diminished steadily in the wake of the '02 season and he hasn't achieved 1000 rushing yards since. He has, however, steadily climbed the lists of record holders for receptions, rushing touchdowns and all time leading rushers.

Michael Vick, Madden NFL 2004

Atlanta Falcons, Quarterback

The Curse:
When signed, Vick instantly became perhaps the fastest man to fill a quarterback's shoes. But in a pre-season game against the Baltimore Ravens, Vick fractured his right fibula and sat out all but the last five games of the 2004 season.

The Comeback:
Three of the Falcons' five 2004 wins may have been recorded in Vick's five games, but despite his post-injury numbers, the Falcons have performed erratically. Vick has also been in the spotlight for more than one controversial incident, as when he flipped the bird to hometown fans last November.

Donovan McNabb, Madden NFL '06

Philadelphia Eagles, Quarterback

The Curse:
McNabb has been hailed as one of the toughest guys in the game, which might explain why he tried to play through a sports hernia he suffered after making Madden's cover in 2005. A harsh tackle while playing against the Cowboys put him out for the season. It didn't end there -- in 2006 a torn ligament ended his season early as well, the third time in five years.

The Comeback:
Too early to tell. With his knee repaired, McNabb might make the second half of the 2007 season, where he could potentially lead the Eagles back to the Superbowl.

Shaun Alexander, Madden NFL '07

Seattle Seahawks, Running Back

The Curse:
Future cover athletes should learn from McNabb and Alexander: never try to play through an injury after working with EA. In the first season game of 2006, Alexander fractured a bone in his left foot, which worsened over the next two games, putting him out for almost half of 2006. Consequently, his numbers for '06 were shot -- 1880 rushing yards in '05 dropped to 896 in '06.

The Comeback:
Though the numbers look bad at first glance, Alexander looks fit for a return to prominence in 2007. He'll have to, with a record-setting 8-year, $62M contract to fulfill.