Is The Madden Cover Jinx Real Or Fake?

Everyone has already heard of "The Madden Cover Jinx", where who ever appears on the popular NFL video game's cover will somehow be cursed that season.  But does it actually work? Or is it just a fake? Let's look at the covers and see...

Madden '99: Garrison Hearst was the first player to be on the cover of Madden, the video game.  He had one of his best seasons ever for the 49ers, rushing for 1,570 yards.  He was injury free the whole year until he broke his ankle on the first play in the divisional playoffs against the falcons, they went on to lose the game.  

1999 Madden Curse: Legit

Madden '00: Dorsey Levens was on the cover of Madden 2000.  Nothing really bad happened to Levens that year. But some may think his career was going downwards. The next year he got cut by the Packers and would eventually leave football in 2004.  

2000 Madden Curse: Not Legit

Madden '01: Eddie George was on the cover of Madden '01. He suffered a toe injury that bothered him the whole year and limited him of his superb play.  He also had a game costing fumble that is very unusual of him in the 2001 AFC Divisional Playoffs.  

2001 Madden Curse: Legit

Madden '02: After having a great season in 2001 and landing on the cover of Madden 2002, Daunte Culpepper had an off year throwing 13 interceptions and only 14 touchdowns in 11 games.  He then injured his back and did not play the rest of the year.  

2002 Madden Curse: Legit

Madden '03: Marshall Faulk appeared on the cover for the 2003 season after coming off two Super Bowl appearances. In '03, Faulk injured his ankle and had his first below 1000 yards rushing season in four years.  The Rams also missed the playoffs with a lousy 7-9 record.  

2003 Madden Curse: Legit

Madden '04: The year of Madden that really inspired a lot of people to start believing the curse.  Michael Vick was the player for Madden 2004 to be on the cover.  And just five days later after being on it, he fractured his leg in a preseason game.  He was out almost the entire season except for five games and the Falcons went 5-11.  

2004 Madden Curse: Legit

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?