Does Presence on the Madden Game Cover Bring Shame to an NFL Player's Game?

Damali Binta – Apr 25, 2012

Years ago, there was supposedly an experiment in a green house with two different types of music played. The classical music which tends to be harmonious, caused plants to grow healthy. The hard rock, loud and harsh music supposedly caused plants to wither. Now, if the results of this experiment are valid, then it suggests that sound can cause something to happen.

Well, on ESPN there was talk (sound) about the Madden curse. John Madden was a former coach with the Oakland Raiders. His era of leadership has been hard to excel. Madden's curse is a phenomena that seems to hinder the NFL players who are featured on the cover of the Madden games.

Is there merit to the debate about a curse? If so, what is causing the problems that some players have had after receiving such a high profile and massive publicity once they are featured on the Madden cover?

There is so much talk (sound) about the curse, that one of my students said that there just may end up being a curse (a negative sound) on the Denver Broncos for their abrupt decision to break ties with Tim Tebow. I gave him a curious look. The student continued to talk about the different curses he has heard of in NFL football, and I did as I usually do---more research.

If there is a curse, who  or what could be causing it?

Here are some ideas to foster a discussion.

1. Once a player is featured on Madden's cover, his ego may blow up and get inflated with pride. Too much pride can cause a person to self-destruct.

2. The defense of all other NFL teams just may focus on taking the Madden poster boy out of the game. Folks, in the past, often talked about taking out the quarterback. Some may think it is necessary to take out the Madden poster boys since they are suppose to be so good.

3. Could Madden's curse be a deep and hidden agenda of the old warrior whose own team has been struggling for several years. One way to help cause the fall of a guy is to exalt him, and then watch him self-destruct because of ego and pride. There is more than one way to inspire the fall of a man. Too much publicity can possibly deform the ego of a man, and then he could lose focus of the discipline it takes to be careful and effective on the playing field.

In my own career, when I meet someone who compliments me too much, I often quietly wait to see exactly when they will try to jolt me with a negative "punch" to my ego or self-esteem.  Some of us know about the techniques of psychological warfare and we are ready to counterattack, after an aggressive attempt to subjugate or control. In some ways, the use of such a strategy causes a type of curse. Interesting, huh?

No one has the real answer to this controversy. Some folks are not happy that Calvin Johnson is featured on the Madden cover in 2012.

When was the last time an Oakland Raider was featured on the Madden Cover? When I finish writing this article, you can be sure that I am going to do research on that question. If you can answer this question, then post it in the comment strand.

One conjecture could be that you exalt the best guy in the NFL in a certain year, and then watch him get careless and fall short so you don't have to worry about him in the future.

Just remember this: There is more than one way to take a guy out and mess him up. If his ego is inflatable, then give him too much honor and glory, and he becomes the fall guy in future games.

Think about it!