Madden Curse strikes again? Shaun Alexander It is hard to ignore the trend known as the "Madden Curse." Since NFL players began to grace the covers of the Madden NFL games in 2000, misfortune has befallen each cover-boy -- including Shaun Alexander.
Shaun Alexander, Seahawks Non-displaced fracture in foot 2007 Donovan McNabb, Eagles Sports hernia in first game of season; team divided by feud with T.O. 2006 Ray Lewis, Ravens First season without INT, missed last game of season with broken wrist 2005 Michael Vick, Falcons Fractured right fibula day after game hit shelves 2004 Marshall Faulk, Rams Ankle injury, never again broke 1,000 yards for season 2003 Daunte Culpepper, Vikings Struggled to 4-7 before season-ending knee injury 2002 Eddie George, Titans Career year, but key turnover led to playoff loss 2001 Barry Sanders, Lions (shared cover with Madden) Abruptly retired week before training camp 2000 John Madden N/A 1989-2000