The Madden Curse Strikes NFL's Polamalu

EA Star Falls Victim to Video Game Bad Luck

After Troy Polamalu sprained his medial collateral ligament in his left knee during the 1st game of the NFL's 2009-10 season, superstitious fans are blaming the "Madden Curse". Some believe that any NFL star who graces the cover or EA Sports' Madden NFL 10 is destined for an injury or poor season.

Before the 1998 football season John Madden was still posting his highly recognizable face on the cover of his popular football game John Madden Football.

The following year,Garrison Hearst became the first NFL player to grace the cover of Madden. He was having a career year before suffering a broken ankle during a divisonal playoff game. He missed the next 2 seasons.

For the 1999-2000 season, Madden decided to put Barry Sanders on the cover. Sanders shocked the football world by retiring in July, 2 months before the season started.

The Madden Curse Continues

Eddie George was Madden's star for the next season, and although he had a great year, George never again broke a 1,000 yards rushing and the Titans missed the playoffs. George would eventually fade into obscurity.

The 2002 iteration of Madden put Daunte Culpepper on the cover. An injury forced him to miss 4 games that season, and his stats that year were less than remarkable, throwing 19 less touchdowns and 1300 fewer yards than his career high 2000 season.

The 2002-2003 season had Marshall Faulk on the cover. Faulk had his worst year since 1996, and the "greatest show on turf" finished the season 7-9, missing the playoffs.

Michael Vick was the unlucky cover boy for Madden 2004. Fresh off of signing the richest contract in NFL history, the versatile Vick broke his leg in a preseason game missed 10 games.

Donovan McNabb (2006) and Shaun Alexander (2007) were the next 2 victims. Both endured serious injuries which forced them to miss time, and their production was down as well. McNabb set a new career high in interceptions and Alexander's touchdowns were the lowest total since his rookie season.

Madden 2008 had Vince Young on the cover; Young was coming off a very promising rookie season, but in his sophmore campaign he threw 17 interceptions and only 9 touchdowns. He also has since lost his starting job to quarterback journeyman Kerry Collins.

Brett Favre (2009) appeared on the 20th anniversary issue of John Madden Football. Though Favre's age could've played a factor, he tore a bicep in his arm, limiting his productivity. Favre threw 22 interceptions and the Jets missed the playoffs after a hot start to the season.

EA's NFL Curse

This year's Madden was unique in that it featured 2 star athletes: Larry Fitzgerald and Troy Polamalu. Polamalu is already losing a minimum of 4 games this season. Will Larry Fitzgerald be able to beat the curse? Time will tell.