Bad news for Lions fans. Calvin Johnson beat out Cam Newton to appear on the Madden ’13 cover. The announcement was made yesterday on ESPN’s Sports Nation
The Madden Curse is real, I’ve said this several times. Don’t believe me…look at the past winners below.
2001, Eddie George: Career season, but fumbled in playoffs as top-seeded Titans lost first game to Ravens.
2002, Daunte Culpepper: 4-7 record before season-ending knee injury.
2003, Marshall Faulk: Ankle injury, missed two games, never rushed for 1,000 yards again.
2004, Michael Vick: Fractured fibula one day after video game was released, missed 11 games; Pro Bowl next 2 seasons; obvious issues since then.
2005, Ray Lewis: Broke wrist, missed one game; first season without interception; missed 10 games next year with thigh injury.
2006, Donovan McNabb: Sports hernia in first game, missed seven games; feuded with Terrell Owens all year; had been to five straight Pro Bowls, hasn’t been since.
2007, Shaun Alexander: Fractured foot, missed six games; fewer yards and TDs in ’06 AND ’07 than in ’04 OR ’05.
2009, Brett Favre: Came out of retirement for the first time, led league in picks with 22 and suffered a torn bicep.
2010, Troy Polamalu: Got hurt week 1, and missed 11 games that season.
2011, Peyton Hillis: Missed 6 games after being the first white running back to rush for over 1,000 yards since 1985. Also went through a contract dispute with management.