Is the Madden Curse real?

Atlanta Falcons

Football lore is carved with myths, and the "Madden Curse" is among the most followed in recent sports. The myth goes that past successes are erased by declining performances and general bad luck.

Football lore is carved with myths, and the "Madden Curse" is among the most followed in recent sports. It is believed to have started in 2001, when Titans running back Eddie George first appeared on the cover. Since then, the myth goes, past successes are erased by declining performances and general bad luck. In George's case, his team lost in the 2001 playoffs, and he never averaged more than 3.3 yards per carry for the rest of his career.

In 2000, quarterback Daunte Culpepper was named the Vikings starter and led the team to the NFC Championship game. He was put on the cover of the 2002 edition and struggled, throwing 14 touchdowns to 13 interceptions. He then had one of the worst seasons of his career, throwing 23 interceptions and breaking the record for most fumbles in a single season. Still worse, he blew out both knees in 2005 and 2006, never regaining the form he had at the beginning of his career.

In 1999, running back Marshall Faulk was traded to the Rams and became part of the "Greatest Show on Turf." In his first three seasons in St. Louis, he rushed for more than 1,000 yards. Madden selected him for the 2003 edition. Faulk's production dropped below 1,000 yards in 2002 and never rebounded. He underwent reconstructive knee surgery in 2005 and retired that same year.

Quarterback Michael Vick led the Falcons to the 2003 NFC divisional game. As a result, he was Madden's pick for the 2004 edition. He got off to a bad start in the preseason, breaking his right leg against the Ravens. He missed the first 12 games, and Atlanta finished 5-11. Four years later, he went to prison after pleading guilty to federal dog fighting charges.

Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis graced the 2005 edition. He had a good 2004, finishing with 146 total tackles, a sack, two fumble recoveries, a fumble forced and six pass deflections. But then 2005 came. His season was cut short by a wrist injury, and he finished the year without an interception for the first time in his career.

Running back Shaun Alexander was named the NFL MVP in 2005 and led the Seahawks to Super Bowl XL. When he was selected for the 2007 edition, Alexander became the first player to be featured on both Madden NFL and NCAA Football. He broke his foot three weeks into the 2006 season and missed six starts.

Tennessee Titans quarterback Vince Young fared pretty well after being chosen for the 2008 cover. He hurt his quadriceps in Week 6 and missed the following game. The 2008 season is when he was struck by the curse. In his first game against the Jaguars, he injured his knee. His replacement, Kerry Collins, assumed the starting job, even when Young was healthy enough to return.

Having announced his retirement, Brett Favre appeared on the 2009 edition in a Packers uniform. Shortly there after, he came out of retirement and signed with the Jets. Favre led the league in interceptions in 2008 with 22. An MRI in late December showed the veteran had a torn biceps tendon.

The 2010 edition featured two players: Steelers safety Troy Polamalu and Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald. Polamalu got the worst of the curse. He sprained his MCL in the first half of the season opener, missing four games, and later injured his posterior cruciate ligament. Fitzgerald, who was a strong believer in the curse, had 13 touchdowns and helped Arizona reach the NFC Divisional playoffs.

Quarterback Drew Brees led the Saints to Super Bowl XLIV victory, and like others before him, became the cover boy. He had one of the best seasons of his career, throwing for 4,620 yards and 33 touchdowns, but failed to lead New Orleans deep into the playoffs.

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Football lore is carved with myths, and the "Madden Curse" is among the most followed in recent sports. It is believed to have started in 2001, when Titans running back Eddie George first appeared on the cover. Since then, the myth goes, past successes are erased by declining performances and general bad luck. In George's case, his team lost in the 2001 playoffs, and he never averaged more than 3.3 yards per carry for the rest of his career.

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