Top 10 NFL Players Who Got the Worst Out of the Madden Cover Curse

It's one of the weirdest traditions in sports: the Madden Curse. For over two decades, fans have watched elite NFL players go from gridiron gods to injury reports and stat sheet ghosts right after landing the game's cover.

Coincidence? Maybe. But try telling that to the running back who suddenly can't cut without limping or the quarterback who forgot how to throw touchdowns.

This list is for the unlucky legends who got absolutely wrecked after their Madden moment. Some had their careers derailed, others just tanked hard for a season or two. You get to decide who had it worst. Vote for the ones you think got hit hardest, the ones whose post-cover nosedives are burned into football infamy.

The Top Ten

  1. Vince Young

    After appearing on the Madden 08 cover, Vince Young suffered a quadriceps injury and was later benched during the season. His performance declined, and he eventually lost his starting job to Kerry Collins the following year. However, he did manage to return to the Pro Bowl following the 2009 season.

    It was too soon for him to be on the cover. This is probably the definition of a sophomore slump for Madden.

  2. Peyton Hillis

    Following his Madden 12 cover appearance, Peyton Hillis battled hamstring injuries and contract disputes. His production dropped significantly after his breakout 2010 season. Hillis never regained his prior level of success.

    I remember thinking in 2012, Why? I had a feeling this guy would have bad luck.

  3. Marshall Faulk

    After being featured on the Madden 2003 cover, Marshall Faulk's rushing yards declined for three consecutive seasons. He dealt with injuries that limited his effectiveness. Faulk eventually transitioned into a backup role before retiring.

    After being on the cover, he was not the same. His yards decreased as he got injured that year.

  4. Donovan McNabb

    McNabb was on the Madden 06 cover and suffered a sports hernia early that season. He attempted to play through the injury but ultimately required surgery. His season ended prematurely after nine games.

    Where did he end up going? You guessed it: the Redskins. That was not a good way to end your career.

  5. Shaun Alexander

    Following his 2005 MVP season, Alexander graced the Madden 07 cover and then fractured his foot. His rushing production dropped by more than 1,000 yards the following season. He never returned to his MVP form.

    Shaun Alexander went from being a record-setting machine to average in one season.

    In my opinion, he was the greatest Seattle running back in history, but that season he suffered a career-ending injury, which is unfortunate.

  6. Troy Polamalu

    Troy Polamalu shared the Madden 10 cover with Larry Fitzgerald but played in only five games that season. He suffered multiple knee injuries early in the year. These injuries significantly impacted his season.

    After the Super Bowl against the Cardinals, he was not the same. He kept getting injured, and that marked the end for Polamalu.

  7. Michael Vick

    Michael Vick appeared on the Madden 04 cover and broke his leg in the preseason. He missed 11 games and returned late in the year. The injury halted what was expected to be a breakout season.

    Despite that one year with the Eagles, when he was with the Falcons he had a decent rookie season. Then the curse appeared. He got hurt, killed dogs, and somehow plays in the NFL again?

  8. Adrian Peterson

    Peterson appeared on the Madden 25 cover after a 2,097-yard season. He played only 14 games in 2013 due to injuries and missed nearly the entire 2014 season due to legal issues. His career rebounded in later years.

    You're saying, What? But Barry was on the cover too. Yes, but Peterson was on the cover of the PS4/XB1 game of Madden 25, and what did he do? He abused his child, played one game, and got suspended.

  9. Dorsey Levens

    Dorsey Levens was featured on the international version of Madden 2000. While he rushed for over 1,000 yards that season, the Packers finished with a disappointing 8-8 record and missed the playoffs. Levens was released two seasons later after his production eventually declined.

    Originally, Sanders was going to be on the cover, but he retired the following year. It ended up being this guy, and he severely injured his knees.

  10. Garrison Hearst

    Hearst was on the Madden 99 cover and suffered a devastating ankle injury in the playoffs. The injury led to avascular necrosis, causing him to miss two full seasons. He eventually defied the odds to rush for over 1,200 yards and win Comeback Player of the Year in 2001.

    The first victim of the Madden curse, enough said.

    11. The Newcomers
  11. ?

    Patrick Mahomes

    Mahomes was on the Madden 20 cover and suffered a dislocated kneecap midseason. He missed two games but returned to lead the Chiefs to a Super Bowl win. His long-term performance remained elite.

    Legitimately the first player ever to defeat the Madden curse.

  12. ?

    Lamar Jackson

    Jackson graced the Madden 21 cover after his MVP season. He missed several games in subsequent years due to injuries. His performance remained competitive but less consistent.

    13. The Contenders

  13. Antonio Brown

    Antonio Brown was on the Madden 19 cover before a series of off-field issues and team conflicts. He was traded, released, and suspended during the following seasons. These events overshadowed his on-field performance.

    Despite having a good season, he also was involved in a lot of drama with the Steelers in that 2018 season, which led to missing the playoffs. The following season, he was signed to both the Raiders and the Patriots, got cut twice, and only played one game with no guaranteed pay. The curse wins in this case. Good luck getting back in the league now.

  14. Daunte Culpepper

    Culpepper graced the Madden 02 cover and suffered a knee injury mid-season. He missed the remainder of the 2001 season. His performance was inconsistent in the following years.

    The fact that a 6'4", 270 lb Pro Bowl quarterback who could pass and run, and broke Dan Marino's single-season yards record, is being compared to Teddy Bridgewater is evidence enough that Culpepper needs to be higher on this list. The curse destroyed his season and his legacy.

    He was the Bridgewater of his day before Bridgewater ever came to Minnesota. He had a promising start. Then he had a very disappointing season while on the cover that year.

  15. Odell Beckham Jr.

    Beckham was on the Madden 16 cover and played through injuries during the 2015 season. He still produced strong stats but faced increased media scrutiny and fines. His injuries worsened in later seasons.

    I know it's too soon. I just don't like the vibe I'm getting with this guy. Yes, he made that amazing catch. But if this guy gets injured, I won't say I told you so.

    Update: His actions cursed him, so there you go. His actions cost his team the playoffs.

  16. Brett Favre

    Favre was announced as the Madden 09 cover athlete while retiring and unretiring that offseason. He was traded to the Jets and played with a torn biceps tendon. His late-season performance dropped as the injury worsened.

    It's hard to say, but that year with the Jets, he had offseason issues.

  17. Eddie George

    George appeared on the Madden 01 cover and fumbled during a crucial playoff game that season. While he played all 16 games in 2001, his rushing average declined. He never returned to his peak form afterward.

    Injuries caught up to him. He had never had an injury before, but then he was on the cover and that was it.

  18. Richard Sherman

    Sherman was on the Madden 15 cover and dealt with minor injuries during the 2014 season. He still played all games and reached the Super Bowl. His performance did not show significant decline that year.

    I'll give him credit: he endured the pain. But did he help his team? No, he lost in the end to the Patriots, therefore he was technically cursed.

  19. Larry Fitzgerald

    Fitzgerald shared the Madden 10 cover with Troy Polamalu and had a strong season. He recorded over 1,000 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns. There was no significant negative impact from the cover.

    He has slowly gotten worse over the last five years. He had a good season during his Madden run. Yet ever since Warner left, he has looked more like a number two wide receiver over there.

  20. Ray Lewis

    Lewis was featured on the Madden 05 cover and missed the final game of the 2004 season due to injury. He returned the next year but missed 10 games in 2005 with a thigh injury. These injuries marked a dip in his durability.

    This one is kind of an oddball: yes, he got hurt that year. It's questionable how he performed towards the end of his career.

  21. Drew Brees

    Brees was on the Madden 11 cover and played all games in the 2010 season. He threw a career-high 22 interceptions. The Saints were eliminated in the Wild Card round.

    Now, I'll give him credit: he is still very consistent, reaching 5,000 yards. However, when he lost to a weak Seahawks team at the time, it was clear the curse had struck again.

  22. Tom Brady

    Brady appeared on the Madden 18 cover and started all games that season. He led the Patriots to the Super Bowl but lost to the Eagles. His stats remained strong throughout the year.

  23. Calvin Johnson

    Johnson was on the Madden 13 cover and had a record-breaking season with 1,964 receiving yards. He played all 16 games and did not suffer a decline that year. Injuries became more frequent in later seasons.

    Probably the only player to survive the curse, but not his team, unfortunately. Update: Two years later, he retired out of the league, like Barry Sanders. History repeats with the Lions.

  24. Rob Gronkowski

    Gronkowski appeared on the Madden 17 cover and suffered a back injury requiring surgery. He played only eight games in the 2016 season. He returned to full form the next year.

    Our newest addition is soon to have either a down year, or his team won't do so well.

  25. Terrell Owens

    Owens was on the Madden 19 Hall of Fame Edition cover and was already retired. No impact from the cover was observed as he did not return to play.

    For the Hall of Fame edition, sure, but who's going to be the next victim is the question?

BAdd New Item