Saquon Barkley Selected As Madden 26 Cover Star
(Redwood City, CA) -- Former Penn State football star Saquon Barkley will grace the cover of Madden NFL 26. The Eagles running back is shown doing one of his famous hurdles over an opponent on the cover of the latest edition of the popular video game series. He won his first Super Bowl with the Eagles this past season and came within 101 yards of breaking Eric Dickerson's single-season rushing record. Madden NFL 26 will hit shelves August 14th.
The "Madden Curse" is a term that has circulated among NFL fans for years, suggesting that athletes featured on the cover of the popular video game "Madden NFL" experience a decline in performance or suffer injuries in the following season. Despite the lack of concrete evidence, the curse has become a part of football folklore.
The legend began in the late 1990s when players like Garrison Hearst, who appeared on the cover of "Madden NFL 99," suffered a broken ankle shortly after. Since then, many other players, including Daunte Culpepper, Michael Vick, and Shaun Alexander, have experienced significant setbacks after gracing the cover.
Skeptics argue that the curse is merely a coincidence, pointing out that football is an inherently risky sport where injuries are common. However, the pattern of misfortune has persisted, leading some to believe in its validity.
Most recently, Saquon Barkley has been the subject of concern as he prepares for the 2025 season. Fans are wary of the curse's potential impact on his performance. While some dismiss the curse as mere superstition, others remain cautious, hoping that Barkley will break the cycle.
As the new season approaches, the debate over the Madden Curse continues. Whether it is a genuine phenomenon or simply a series of coincidences, it remains a captivating topic for football enthusiasts.
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