That’s My Story

Tonight is the NFC rematch between the Vikings and Saints. Sportscasters have been talking about the match-up all week.
While a rematch makes headlines I am a bit more curious about Drew Brees.
The quarterback is featured on the newest Madden football game cover.  The myth is if you are on the cover of the game you will either get injured or have a bad season.
I’ll be honest, I made sure Drew Brees was at the bottom of the list for my fantasy picks.
Up until 1999 John Madden was featured on the cover. In 1999 RB Garrison Heart was on the cover, then broke his ankle missing two full seasons.
In 2000 Barry Sanders announced his retirement right before training camp, after being chosen for the cover. Then EA released a cover featuring Dorsey Levens who missed the playoffs after injuring his knee. He never started again.
It seemed the curse turned around in 2001 when Eddie George had a great season. But he bobbled an easy pass in a playoff game against the Ravens. Some say it cost the Titans a super bowl spot.
There was a time that Dante Culpepper was a MVP quarterback. He earned the cover spot in 2002 then led the Vikings to a 4 and 7 record before a season-ending injury.
Marshall Faulk helped the Rams win two super bowls in three years. (Depending on your opinion of New England-gate he  should have won three) While he was not out for the season he did have an ankle injury in 2003.
While I cannot mention the next player by name because of a deep-rooted hatred the 2004 quarterback picked to appear on the cover broke his leg in the pre-season and played five games that year. Oh and he also got arrested for dog fighting.
Ray Lewis did not catch a single interception after appearing on the cover in 2005. The Ravens failed to make the playoffs and Lewis’ season ended with a torn hamstring.
Donovan McNabb injured his groin in the first game of the 2006 season. After playing eight more games he further injured his groin, requiring surgery.
After facing my Steelers in the super bowl Shaun Alexander and his smile graced the 2007 cover. Then he broke his foot and missed six games.
QB Vince Young not only sustained two injuries after gracing the 2008 cover, but then he lost his starting job to Kerry Collins.
Since Brett Farve was supposed to retire the Madden curse should have been broken in 2009. But Farve came back and played for the Jets, tore a bicep, and finished the season with two touchdowns and nine interceptions. The Jets watched the playoffs from home.
My heart stopped when I saw Troy Polamalu would share the 2010 cover with Larry Fitzgerald. I was hoping Fitzgerald would suffer from the curse. But no. In the season opener Polamalu sprained his MCL, missed four games. Then he came back and was injured again. Fitzgerald had a good year until a rib injury forced him out of the playoffs.
So Drew Brees be careful because you never know when the Madden curse will strike.
And to the member of my fantasy league that picked Brees — GOOD LUCK.
(I welcome any comments, suggestions and criticism at michelleg@dailyamerican.com)