Will Madden curse strike again? Bet on it
San Jose, Costa Rica, Sept. 16, 2009 – Larry Fitzgerald made it through Sunday’s game without being injured. That’s quite noteworthy for the Arizona Cardinals star receiver in light of what happened to his Madden 2010 NFL video game cover partner, Pittsburgh Steelers Pro Bowl safety Troy Polamalu.
Polamalu fell victim to the “Madden curse” in the Steelers’ 13-10 season-opening win last Thursday against Tennessee. He suffered a sprained medial collateral ligament after Tennessee’s Alge Crumpler fell on his knee in the first half. Polamalu didn’t return and will miss anywhere from 3-6 weeks. It’s a big blow for the reigning Super Bowl champs.
Thus Fitzgerald had to be somewhat nervous when he took the field on Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers. That’s because the Madden curse has become more reality than myth. The game, which is one of the best-selling titles each year and one of the most popular in history, tends to have a negative effect on its cover subjects. It all started in 2000, when Lions running back Barry Sanders was on the cover but abruptly retired right before training camp.
At least Sanders walked away on his own.
In 2002, Vikings QB Daunte Culpepper was on the cover and missed five games because of injury as the Vikings finished 5-11 the year after reaching the NFC title game. In ’04, Falcons QB and Madden cover subject Michael Vick broke his leg in an exhibition game just a day after the game was released. The next year, Ray Lewis graced the cover and didn’t play after Week 7 because of a hamstring injury. In 2006, Eagles QB Donovan McNabb got the Madden honor but missed the final six games because of a torn knee ligament. In ’07, Seahawks running back Shawn Alexander, the reigning NFL MVP, broke his foot and missed several games. He was never the same again. And last year, Titans quarterback Vince Young was injured in the opener and lost his starting job to Kerry Collins.
Fitzgerald was able to avoid the curse in the Cards’ opener, as he caught six passes for 71 yards and a touchdown, although Arizona was upset by San Francisco. But can arguably the NFL’s best receiver avoid the Madden curse all season? Bet on it at WagerWeb.com:
When will Larry Fitzgerald get injured?
1- Week 2 – Arizona Cardinals at Jacksonville Jaguar 9/ 1 +900
2- Week 3 – Arizona Cardinals vs Indianapolis Colts 9/ 1 +900
3- Week 5 – Arizona Cardinals vs Houston Texans 9/ 1 +900
4- Week 6 – Arizona Cardinals at Seattle Seahawks 9/ 1 +900
5- Week 7 – Arizona Cardinals at New York Giants 9/ 1 +900
6- Week 8 – Arizona Cardinals vs Carolina Panthers 9/ 1 +900
7- Week 9 – Arizona Cardinals at Chicago Bears 9/ 1 +900
8- Week 10 – Arizona Cardinals vs Seattle Seahawks 9/ 1 +900
9- Week 11 – Arizona Cardinals at St. Louis Rams 9/ 1 +900
10Week 12 – Arizona Cardinals at Tennessee Titans 9/ 1 +900
11- Week 13 – Arizona Cardinals vs Minnesota Vikings 9/ 1 +900
12- Week 14 – Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49er 9/ 1 +900
13- Week 15 – Arizona Cardinals at Detroit Lions 9/ 1 +900
14- Week 16 – Arizona Cardinals vs St. Louis Rams 9/ 1 +900
15- Week 17 – Arizona Cardinals vs Green Bay Packers 9/ 1 +900
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