This is really getting strange. Shaun Alexander was diagnosed with a broken foot today and solidifies his place in history as Madden takes down another premier athlete. Since 2000, EA stopped putting Madden on the cover of its video game and started putting athletes on the cover instead. For the most part, the cover athlete suffers a serious injury the following year or some other type of misfortune. Some of these ”curses” are a bit of a reach but there is a strong correlation here that can’t be ignored. Why fight it EA? Use your powers for good and put a Bronco on the cover next year.
| Year of Release | Madden Title | Cover Athlete | Alleged Curse |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 1999 | Garrison Hearst | Injured; while playing against the Falcons, twisted his ankle on very first play of scrimmage |
| 1999 | 2000(1) | Barry Sanders | Abruptly retired during training camp in 1999. |
| 1999 | 2000(2) | Dorsey Levens | Cut by the Packers in 2001 and finished his career as a journeyman player. |
| 2000 | 2001 | Eddie George | Key fumble vs. Ravens in playoffs; team lost in Divisional Playoff after losing Super Bowl XXXIV |
| 2001 | 2002 | Daunte Culpepper | Injured; missed 5 games in 2001; team missed playoffs after losing NFC Championship in 2000 |
| 2002 | 2003 | Marshall Faulk | Injured; least productive season as a Ram up to that point; team missed playoffs after losing Super Bowl XXXVI |
| 2003 | 2004 | Michael Vick | Injured; missed 11 games after breaking leg in 2003 preseason; team missed playoffs after losing Divisional Playoff in 2002 |
| 2004 | 2005 | Ray Lewis | Broke wrist and missed Pro Bowl; Critically seen as an off year; team missed playoffs after losing Wild Card Playoff in 2003 |
| 2005 | 2006 | Donovan McNabb | Injured; missed 7 games in 2005; team missed playoffs after losing Super Bowl XXXIX |
| 2006 | 2007 | Shaun Alexander | Injured Week 3; cracked a bone in his left foot during a 42-30 win over the New York Giants. Out 4-6 weeks. |
