Is it Myth or Fact?

By Alyssa Norton
Staff Writer

Video games are played widely by many people. Madden NFL began using actual football players for the cover of thier games in 1999 and so came forth the superstition of the “Madden Curse.” Prior to the use of current football players on the covers of EA Games, the company used the picture of John Madden, a former NFL coach and television announcer for whom the game franchise was named.

1999 marked the year that the said “curse” came into play. Garrison Hearst, a famed player for the 49ers was considered to be at the peak of his game that year. He was given the honor of being the first player featured on the cover of the Madden NFL game. Hearst would lead his team to a divisional game – a game in which he severely broke his ankle. Hearst missed two seasons of football and although he resumed playing, he never reached the peak that he once had. This was said to have been the starting point of the “Madden Curse.”

Since 1999 13 players who have graced the cover of Madden NFL either received injuries or other mysterious circumstances that led to a poor record in their football careers. The newest member to join the 13 other players is footballer Peyton Hillis for the Madden 2012 Cover. Will the curse continue or will Hillis be the player who finally breaks the cycle?