It’s never too early to start thinking about the NFL player(s) who’ll appear on the cover of the next edition of the Madden video game franchise.
We’re still not sure anyone actually plunks down $59.99 plus tax because of the NFL player(s) pictured on the cover, and if they do there are several hundred Nigerian crown princes who surely would like to get their e-mail addresses.
Still, it has become part of the Madden culture, likely due to the perception that a “curse” attaches to the assignment. (If that’s the case, the curse was only 50-percent effective in 2009; Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald had another solid season and was not hit with a significant injury. Steelers safety Troy Polamalu, on the other hand, played in only a few games due to multiple knee injuries.)
This year, a trio of players are finalists for the cover, according to ESPN.com: Saints quarterback Drew Brees, Colts receiver Reggie Wayne, and Vikings defensive end Jared Allen.
Voting opens today right here, and it continues through March 15.
So if the Saints lose on Sunday, you can blame it on the Madden curse.
And if the Colts lose on Sunday, you can blame it on the Madden curse.
And since Allen likely agreed to be a finalist before the Vikings lost to the Saints in the NFC title game, you can blame it on the curse.
And since Brees likely agreed to be a finalist before the NFC title game, a loss by the Saints could have been blamed on the Madden curse.