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Is There A Madden Curse?

Posted by simoniker on from the don't-step-on-cracks-in-sidewalk dept.

Linda writes "GamerDad looks at the 'Madden Curse' for those featured on the front cover of the videogame, year by year, and talks about how it might have come a bit early this year: 'Sports fans know about the Sports Illustrated cover curse (athletes that grace the cover tend to get hurt, really bad, a lot) but a lesser known curse is the one caused by EA Sports' powerhouse Madden franchise. It began just a few years ago when EA took the big lug himself off the cover.'" There's another good synopsis of previous cover stars' woes at the AJC.com site, after Mike Vick of the Atlanta Falcons, this year's star, broke his leg at the weekend.

4 of 39 comments (clear)

  1. Troy Brown by pudge · · Score: 4, Funny

    Troy Brown was the top offensive player on the Patriots, who won the Super Bowl in 2002. He should have been on the cover instead of Marshall Faulk. He set records for receiving, and had some plays on punt return that propelled them into the Super Bowl. He allowed Brady to open up his passing game.

    And then, in 2002-2003 season, he got injured, and missed a bunch of games, all without being on the cover of Madden! The curse extends even to players who SHOULD have been on the cover! IT IS THAT POWERFUL.

  2. Speaking as a Skeptic... by avalys · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Short answer: No.

    Long answer: No, you superstitious fool!

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    This space intentionally left blank.
  3. Regression to the Mean by Ieshan · · Score: 4, Informative

    No. It appears as though this is a classic example of regression.

    Players who make the Madden cover have amazing, exceptional years. The next year, we look at their play to see that (most of the time) it isn't as good as the previous year. Why?

    Well, these players have an average performance. The year before they made the cover, they were way above their average performance. The next year, it should follow that their performance isn't as good as this amazing season (two of these incredible seasons in a row is unlikely). Whether we claim it's because of injury, bad luck, or the Madden cover, either way, it's usually just a decent example of Regression.

    We could point out that players who perform extremely poorly and therefore have terrible stats in Madden games go on to improve wildly in their next year. This is the same statistical phenomenon. :)

  4. Bo Jackson - 1991 by Satan's_Tool · · Score: 4, Funny

    Super Tecmo Bowl - 1991

    Bo Jackson hip injury - 1991

    'nuff said

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    Yes, I'm an agent of Satan, but my duties are largely ceremonial.