The Madden Curse - We’ve all heard about it. But does it hold any weight or is it all just sheer coincidence?
The Madden Curse basically goes like this, whoever is on the cover of Madden, that athlete will not have a good year on the football field. Some people really believe that the Madden Curse is real. Although most athletes acknowledge that being on the cover of Madden is an honor, none of them will speak on the legitimacy of the Curse.
Let’s take a look at those who have graced the cover of Madden.
Madden 2000 - BARRY SANDERS
Technically, Barry Sanders is NOT the main image on the cover, John Madden is the main image. Barry Sanders is only featured slightly in the background.
However, this hasn’t stopped the believers of the Madden Curse. They claim that because soon after being on the cover of Madden 2000, Barry Sanders abruptly announced his retirement from the game of football, therefore, he was cursed. In fact, he didn’t even play a single game during the 1999-2000 season.
Did Barry Sanders have another season left in him?
Barry Sanders - Stats During ‘Cursed’ Seasons:
| 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | |
| Games: | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | N/A |
| Rushing Yards: | 1,500 | 1,553 | 2,053 | 1,491 | N/A |
| Rushing Avg: | 4.8 | 5.1 | 6.1 | 4.3 | N/A |
| Receiving Yards: | 398 | 147 | 305 | 289 | N/A |
| Touchdowns: | 12 | 11 | 14 | 4 | N/A |
Madden 2001 - EDDIE GEORGE
The season before Eddie George appeared on the cover of Madden, he put up career numbers with the Tennessee Titans.
In the year 2001, the same year Eddie George was on the cover of Madden, he had a recurring toe injury that plagued him throughout the entire season. He set career-lows for rushing that same season. It’s easy to say that this was not his best season.
Eddie George - Stats During ‘Cursed’ Seasons:
| 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | |
| Games: | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 |
| Rushing Yards: | 1,399 | 1,294 | 1,304 | 1,509 | 939 | 1,165 | 1,031 |
| Rushing Avg: | 3.9 | 3.7 | 4.1 | 3.7 | 3.0 | 3.4 | 3.3 |
| Receiving Yards: | 44 | 310 | 458 | 453 | 279 | 255 | 163 |
| Total Touchdowns: | 7 | 6 | 13 | 16 | 5 | 14 | 5 |
Madden 2002 - DAUNTE CULPEPPER
A recurring back injury kept Dante Culpepper out for part of the season he was on the Madden Cover.
Dante Culpepper’s overall stats were down, mostly due to the four games he was out because of the back injury. He threw 19 less TD’’s & approximately 1,300 yards less than the season before. Some critics would even say that Culpepper never quite rebounded from that back injury, as he never put up big numbers again. despite the fact that statistically, his best year was in 2004.
Daunte Culpepper - Stats From Cursed Seasons:
| 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | |
| Games: | 16 | 11 | 16 | 14 | 16 | 7 | 4 |
| Passing Yards: | 3,937 | 2,612 | 3,853 | 3,479 | 4,717 | 1,564 | 929 |
| Interceptions: | 16 | 13 | 23 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 3 |
| Total Touchdowns: | 40 | 19 | 28 | 29 | 41 | 7 | 3 |
| QB Rating: | 98.0 | 83.3 | 75.3 | 96.4 | 110.9 | 72.0 | 77.0 |
Madden 2003 - MARSHALL FAULK
The year that Marshall Faulk was on the cover of Madden, the St. Louis Ram’s were riddled with injuries, including his quarterback Kurt Warner.
While Faulk did not suffer any injuries, his overall stats were down, accounting for his worst NFL season since 1996. It’s easy to see that if his team was at 100% Faulk would’ve had a much better year!
Marshall Faulk - Stats During ‘Cursed’ Seasons:
| 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | |
| Games: | 16 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 11 | 14 | 16 |
| Rushing Yards: | 1,381 | 1,359 | 1,382 | 953 | 818 | 774 | 292 |
| Rushing Avg: | 5.5 | 5.4 | 5.3 | 4.5 | 3.9 | 4.0 | 4.5 |
| Receiving Yards: | 1,048 | 830 | 765 | 537 | 290 | 310 | 291 |
| Total Touchdowns: | 12 | 26 | 21 | 10 | 11 | 4 | 1 |
Madden 2004 - MICHAEL VICK
The supposed Madden Curse struck Michael Vick the worst. The season prior to being on the Madden cover, Michael Vick put up the best stats of his career.
One week after Madden 2004 debuted with him on the cover, he broke his leg during a preseason game. Vick was never able to reach the platform he once had. As we all know now, his football career went on a downward spiral ever since. He is currently spending his time in prison for “criminal conspiracy resulting from felonious dog fighting”.
Michael Vick - Stats During ‘Cursed’ Seasons:
| 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | |
| Games: | 8 | 15 | 5 | 15 | 15 | 16 | - |
| Passing Yards: | 785 | 2,936 | 585 | 2,313 | 2,412 | 2,474 | J |
| Interceptions: | 3 | 8 | 3 | 12 | 13 | 13 | A |
| Total Touchdowns: | 3 | 16 | 4 | 15 | 19 | 15 | I |
| QB Rating: | 62.7 | 81.6 | 69.0 | 78.1 | 73.1 | 75.7 | L |
Madden 2005 - RAY LEWIS
The Madden Curse did not seem to affect Ray Lewis too much.
Ray Lewis managed to put up career numbers the season he was on the cover of Madden, although his stats were down from the prior season. Due to an injury, he only missed one game during the season he was supposed to be afflicted by the Madden Curse. This was also the season Ray Lewis was found not guilty of drug charges.
Ray Lewis - Stats During ‘Cursed’ Seasons:
| 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | |
| Games: | 16 | 5 | 16 | 15 | 4 | 14 | 14 |
| Total Tackles: | 162 | 58 | 163 | 147 | 46 | 103 | 121 |
| Sacks: | 3.5 | 0.0 | 1.5 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 5.0 | 2.0 |
| Interceptions: | 3 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Def. Touchdowns: | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Madden 2006 - DONOVAN McNABB
A year after taking the Eagles to the Superbowl, Donovan McNabb was awarded the cover of Madden 2006.
However, that same year, he was hurt through-out most of the season because of a hernia. His overall stats were down and he threw for more interceptions. McNabb couldn’t regain his ‘Superbowl’ fame, the Eagles finished in last place, and missed the NFL playoffs.
Donovan McNabb - Stats From Cursed Seasons:
| 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | |
| Games: | 16 | 10 | 16 | 15 | 9 | 10 | 14 |
| Passing Yards: | 3,233 | 2,289 | 3,216 | 3,875 | 2,507 | 2,647 | 3,324 |
| Interceptions: | 12 | 6 | 11 | 8 | 9 | 6 | 7 |
| Total Touchdowns: | 27 | 23 | 19 | 34 | 17 | 21 | 19 |
| QB Rating: | 84.3 | 86.0 | 79.6 | 104.7 | 85 | 95.5 | 89.9 |
Madden 2007 - SHAUN ALEXANDER
One year after having a GREAT rushing year, breaking the TD record and receiving the MVP award, Shaun Alexander was awarded the cover of Madden 2007.
However, that same season he broke his foot and missed almost half of the season, six games to be exact. Shaun Alexander only put up 896 yards & 3.6 yards per carry, a significatnly lower rushing stats, making it his worst season since his rookie year. and has never been the same runningback since being on the cover of Madden.
Shaun Alexander - Stats From Cursed Seasons:
| 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | |
| Games: | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 10 | 13 |
| Rushing Yards: | 1,318 | 1,175 | 1,435 | 1,696 | 1,880 | 896 | 716 |
| Avg Per Carry: | 4.3 | 4.0 | 4.4 | 4.8 | 5.1 | 3.6 | 3.5 |
| Total Touchdowns: | 16 | 18 | 16 | 20 | 28 | 7 | 5 |
Madden 2008 - VINCE YOUNG
In his second season in the NFL, Vince Young was featured on the cover of Madden in 2008.
While Vince Young didn’t have a BAD season, he certainly didn’t have a great one. The amount of touchdowns an completed passes dropped, while the amount of interceptions went up. His rushing stats also dropped the same year he was on the cover of Madden.
It must be noted that the Tennessee Titans still managed to make the playoffs while they were supposedly ‘cursed’.
Vince Young - Stats During ‘Cursed’ Seasons:
| 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | |
| Games: | College | at UT | 15 | 15 | TBD |
| Passing Yards: | - | - | 2,546 | 2,199 | TBD |
| Interceptions: | - | - | 17 | 13 | TBD |
| Total Touchdowns: | - | - | 19 | 12 | TBD |
| QB Rating: | - | - | 66.7 | 71.1 | TBD |
Madden 2009 - Brett Favre
This year, EA Sports decided to go with a RETIRED player on the cover, but Brett Favre ruined that when he announced that he was planning on coming back for one more season.
After some brief drama with the Packers, Favre was reinstated to the NFL. However, the 2009 NFL season isn’t starting off too well for Brett Favre. Since the Packers not want him back, he is starting off the season with a new team, the New York Jets.
Does this signify the beginning of another chapter in the Madden Curse? I guess only time (and Brett Favre) will tell…
Brett Favre - Stats During ‘Cursed’ Seasons:
| 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | |
| Games: | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 16 | TBD |
| Passing Yards: | 3,658 | 3,361 | 4,088 | 3,881 | 3,885 | 4,155 | TBD |
| Interceptions: | 16 | 21 | 17 | 29 | 18 | 15 | TBD |
| Total Touchdowns: | 27 | 32 | 30 | 20 | 19 | 28 | TBD |
| QB Rating: | 85.6 | 90.4 | 92.4 | 70.9 | 72.7 | 95.7 | TBD |
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By Madden Curse on Aug 13, 2008 | Reply
Good breakdown of the stats!
By Skidmore on Aug 13, 2008 | Reply
I’ve always thought that ‘THE MADDEN CURSE’ was more like ‘THE MADDEN COINCIDENCE’
I still do, even though I think we ALL know that Brett Favre is gonna have a horrible season with the Jets.
By Corb on Aug 13, 2008 | Reply
To be honest, I think this “Madden curse” thing is a load of shit. Just made up as a scapegoat for a player’s crappy season. Sure it is ironic that they had awful seasons while they were featured on the cover of that year’s Madden game, but still, it’s just a bunch of superstitious nonsense.
By Logic on Aug 13, 2008 | Reply
Here’s the real deal.
There used to be the “Sports Illustrated Curse” too, and the explanation is the same.
After having a stellar season and earning a cover, the bar is high. You only get cover deals at your peak. It’s hard to beat your best season.
not to mention, the 4 stats for every year are not consistent. Sure it’s easy to pick 4 stats for each year that are worse than the rest.
I’m sure if you extended those stats in both directions, you’d see a steady increase, a climax and then a decrease. The story of every athlete’s career.
By Perkoff (1 comments.) on Aug 13, 2008 | Reply
Is it a player curse or a team curse? Hopefully the Packers do shitty this season without Favre. I’m from Wisconsin and don’t understand how a team can move forward with a QB who will never be in the same league as Favre. I guess they couldn’t come up with any better bullshit.
By chrisbg99 on Aug 13, 2008 | Reply
Culpepper never put up big numbers again? In 2003 he rebounded (25 TDs and 11 ints) and in 2004 he lead the league in pass yards (4717) and had a career high 39 TDs and only 11 ints.
Of course he fell apart the very next season but for those two years if it wasn’t for him and that offense the Vikings would have never been in playoff contention, not with a defense that was almost completely worthless.
By Painkiller10538 Xbox live on Aug 13, 2008 | Reply
its a curse believe it or not. regardless quarterbacks boast so much when theyre on the cover of madden even when they didnt care or didnt know of the madden curse. its actually “u reap what u sow”. straight up. the curse is based on if u boast like ur the shiznit then karma is gonna ransack ur butt because ur just a human being and ur not a superhero on some other plane. bring ur arse back down to earth and know ur role. play the game and shut up. nevertheless i wanna see tony romo date another hollywood actress again so cowboys can loss again.
By Noswald on Aug 13, 2008 | Reply
While I think it is superstition and there are coincidences, it’s the players that are affected most. Sports players have always been superstitious and once something like this gets into their heads, it’s going to stay there for as long as they are playing. While I think it would be an honor for the player, I can see why they would refuse the cover based on the superstitions created be fans and previous cover players.
By hotline4 on Aug 13, 2008 | Reply
this isn’t just a madden curse… take a look at the nba live series from EA
Gilbert Arenas was the cover boy for 08 and like so many cover-athletes was injured for the majority of the next season
By What! on Aug 13, 2008 | Reply
Come on, look at your stats better. You said Culpepper never put up big numbers again. He had 4700 yards and 39 touchdowns in 2004! That was better than everyone except Payton Manning.
Here’s my theory. Madden usually puts players on the cover after they have been established stars for years, and after career years. Of course their stats are going to come down after career years, and after they’ve passed the height of the typical productivity curve (i.e. they get better for a few years, reach the top, then start falling down, then out of the league). And how many of these guys were running backs? They always have a short shelf life. Eddie George was killing himself every year. Sean Alexander only had one good year, so expecting him to keep doing that is ridiculous. Donovan McNabb had been great for 5 years, so of course his numbers will come down to earth at some point.
There is no curse.
By bigwinner (1 comments.) on Aug 13, 2008 | Reply
Cool post; Snopes also did an analysis of the Madden Curse here:
http://www.snopes.com/sports/football/maddencurse.asp
By FreeThinker on Aug 13, 2008 | Reply
Alot of people have hit this issue on the head. This is nothing more then an example of regression towards the mean.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regression_toward_the_mean
By dc on Aug 13, 2008 | Reply
Technically, Barry Sanders was the first to appear on the cover. the problem was he retired the day before Lions training camp was to begin. at that point, EA decided to put Madden BACK on the cover with Barry watermarked on the upper right corner.
Later in the year another player, Dorsey Levins was placed on the cover.
By Andrew on Aug 13, 2008 | Reply
This isn’t a curse.
Everyone knows you pretty much make your year’s salary as a NFL player from endorsements from the Madden cover.
All these players just faked injuries so they wouldn’t have to play most of the season. The madden cover alone is enough to get by. They take a year off.
By 3cm on Aug 13, 2008 | Reply
It actually is a curse. Everyone knows that the discs are manufactured in Haiti (the world leader in Voodoo) and that John Madden actually DOES fly around the country, but on a broom instead of a plane. Also, my friend Yeti (a known mythical beast and reputable source) will **** anything that moves.
By SgtStedanko on Aug 13, 2008 | Reply
It goes like this u have your best season or one of your best u get on the cover then the follow season u have your worst because u can’t have back to back seasons with your best stats
By Ain't Yer Boy on Aug 14, 2008 | Reply
The science behind Madden ‘09 Player Ratings
http://www.maxim.com/How-Are-Madden-NFL-09s-Ratings-Decided/BFG/blogs/2479/39996.aspx
By Bo Kiora on Aug 20, 2008 | Reply
Nice how they picked a retired person this year .. just to end the madden curse and blamo he comes back and is playing on a team that was pretty bad last year. Watch him miss a start for the first time ever … and I consider the curse real again in ‘09
By Joba (1 comments.) on Aug 25, 2008 | Reply
First the Madden Curse, now I find the Phitens Plague?!
http://njfrogman.blogspot.com/2008/08/madden-curse-quietly-copied-by-phitens.html