As any Maddenite knows, the privilege of gracing the cover of EA Sports Madden video game comes with a price.
Eddie George was the first official Madden cover-athlete in 2001(Garrison Hearst and Dorsey Levens made the cover on alternate versions before Eddie George). He went on to have arguably his best season, rushing for 1,509 yards and 14 touchdowns, but a bobbled pass in the playoff game against Baltimore was returned for a touchdown, and sealed Tennessee’s fate. Eddie George’s career was never the same, always hobbled by injuries. Eddie’s yards-per-carry for his next four seasons were a measly 3.0, 3.4 and 3.3 in his final two seasons as a pro. Many claim this to be the birth of the madden curse, but was it?
On the official Madden 2000 cover, John Madden is prominently featured, but there is a visible player in the background.
