The Fall of Troy: With Polamalu's Injury, Do You Believe in Madden Curse Now?

Correspondent Written on September 11, 2009

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LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 16: Atmosphere at the EA SPORTS Rookie Madden Bowl at the Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel as part of the NFL PLAYERS Rookie Premiere on May 16, 2008 in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for NFL PLAYERS)

Jesse Grant/Getty Images

Every year, video gamers of all ages eagerly await the launch of the latest John Madden football game. The game has amazingly evolved over the years, always taking advantage of cutting-edge technology.

When first developed, the game was known as John Madden Football, with the big guy himself gracing the cover of the packaging. In 2001, the box art began featuring an action shot of a current NFL player.

The Madden Curse refers to the injury or poor performance that usually happens to said player.

Do you think I am crazy?

Let's take a look...

Madden 2001: Eddie George

JACKSONVILLE, FL - OCTOBER 26: Running back Eddie George #27 of the Tennessee Titans walks the field during the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on October 26, 2003 at ALLTEL Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida. The Titans defeated the Jaguars 30-17.

The curse was delayed a bit for Eddie George. After enjoying a great season in 2000, the following year saw him hampered by injuries and his rushing numbers hit an all-time low.

Madden 2002: Daunte Culpepper

CHARLOTTE, NC - OCTOBER 30: Daunte Culpepper #11 of the Minnesota Vikings throws the ball before injuring his knee against the Carolina Panthers on October 30, 2005 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Craig Jones/Getty Ima

After leading his team to the NFC Championship game the year before, Daunte Culpepper and the Minnesota Vikings struggled to a 4-7 start in 2001.

Culpepper then suffered a knee injury and missed the rest of the season.

Madden 2003: Marshall Faulk

SAN FRANCISCO - OCTOBER 3: Running back Marshall Faulk #28 of the St. Louis Rams carries the ball against the San Francisco 49ers during the game at Monster Park on October 3, 2004 in San Francisco, California. The Rams defeated the 49ers 24-12. (Photo b

After four consecutive seasons of rushing for more than 1,300 yards, Marshall Faulk was bothered by an ankle injury in 2002 and saw his numbers dip below the 1,000-yard mark.

The Rams also missed the playoffs.

Madden 2004: Michael Vick

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick during a game between the Atlanta Falcons and Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on December 10, 2006 in Tampa, Florida. The Falcons won 17 - 6. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

Michael Vick suffered a broken leg during a preseason game in 2003, one day after the Madden game hit store shelves.

Madden 2005: Ray Lewis

CHARLOTTE, NC - AUGUST 29: Linebacker Ray Lewis #52 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates after a tackle during their game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on August 29, 2009 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Gett

In 2004, Lewis failed to record an interception for the first (and only) time in his career. He missed 10 games in 2005 with a torn hamstring.

Madden 2006: Donovan McNabb

PHILADELPHIA - AUGUST 27: Donovan McNabb #5 of the Philadelphia Eagles scrambles against the Jacksonville Jaguars on August 27, 2009 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Donovan McNabb suffered a sports hernia in the first game of the 2005 season. After attempting to play despite the injury, he had surgery and missed the final seven games of the year.

Madden 2007: Shaun Alexander

CHICAGO - JANUARY 14: Shaun Alexander #37 of the Seattle Seahawks runs against the Chicago Bears during their NFC Divisional Playoff game on January 14, 2007 at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

After leading his team to the Super Bowl, Shaun Alexander suffered a broken foot three weeks into the 2006 season. He missed the next six weeks.

Madden 2008: Vince Young

NASHVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 3: Vince Young #10 of the Tennessee Titans looks on against the Green Bay Packers during a preseason NFL game at LP Field on September 3, 2009 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Titans beat the Packers 27-13. (Photo by Joe Murphy/Getty

Vince Young was only bothered by a minor leg injury, but he did throw just nine touchdowns with 17 interceptions.

Madden 2009: Brett Favre

SEATTLE - DECEMBER 21: Quarterback Brett Favre #4 of the New York Jets looks to hand off the ball during the game against the Seattle Seahawks on December 21, 2008 at Qwest Field in Seattle, Washington. The Seahawks defeated the Jets 13-3. (Photo by Otto

After starting the season well, Brett Favre suffered an injury to his throwing arm. Continuing to play, Favre and the Jets saw their season fall apart.

Madden 2010: Larry Fitzgerald/Troy Polamalu

TAMPA, FL - FEBRUARY 01: Safety Troy Polamalu #43 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on against the Arizona Cardinals during Super Bowl XLIII on February 1, 2009 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

In the first game of the season, Troy Polamalu sprained a ligament in his left knee. He is expected to miss three to six weeks.

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