http://www.usatoday.com/SPORTS/usaedition/...st_U.htm?csp=34
Fans of the Madden NFL video games can now decide how much they believe in its cover athlete curse.
Today through March 15, fans can vote for one of three cover athletes for Madden NFL 11 (out in August): New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Reggie Wayne or Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jared Allen.
Madden cover athletes such as Marshall Faulk, Brett Favre, Daunte Culpepper and Vince Young have had subpar seasons after their selection. Most notably, then-Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick broke his leg in a 2003 preseason game.
Last year's game featured two cover athletes, Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald and Pittsburgh Steelers strong safety Troy Polamalu. Polamalu suffered a knee injury in the first game of the 2009 season and played in five games. Fitzgerald set a career high for touchdowns (13, plus two in the playoffs).
Players publicly pooh-pooh the curse, but football fans may take it more seriously. "It will be very interesting to see if people want their team on the cover or if they vote for other people to not have their team on the cover," says Chris Erb, senior director of partnership marketing for EA Sports. "I think the voting could go both ways."
Previously, EA Sports named its cover athlete right before the Super Bowl. "We're making a decision later than we ever have for people to have a voice in the process," Erb says.
Fans of the Madden NFL video games can now decide how much they believe in its cover athlete curse.
Today through March 15, fans can vote for one of three cover athletes for Madden NFL 11 (out in August): New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Reggie Wayne or Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jared Allen.
Madden cover athletes such as Marshall Faulk, Brett Favre, Daunte Culpepper and Vince Young have had subpar seasons after their selection. Most notably, then-Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick broke his leg in a 2003 preseason game.
Last year's game featured two cover athletes, Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald and Pittsburgh Steelers strong safety Troy Polamalu. Polamalu suffered a knee injury in the first game of the 2009 season and played in five games. Fitzgerald set a career high for touchdowns (13, plus two in the playoffs).
Players publicly pooh-pooh the curse, but football fans may take it more seriously. "It will be very interesting to see if people want their team on the cover or if they vote for other people to not have their team on the cover," says Chris Erb, senior director of partnership marketing for EA Sports. "I think the voting could go both ways."
Previously, EA Sports named its cover athlete right before the Super Bowl. "We're making a decision later than we ever have for people to have a voice in the process," Erb says.
As a packer fan, I have grown to not like Favre and his antics, how anyone could be loyal to this guy is beside me!And for putting Favre where he belongs (on his butt), I have to pull for the Saints!For people who call it bitterness - Our new QB here in GB has the same amount of talent, and throws less picks, So I couldnt be happier.ALSO - Its bad to hope for an injury, bad karma guys.
