Every year, a new Madden NFL game comes out with premier player from that season on it, and a popular urban legend states that the cover is known to cast a “curse” on that player. Star Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski is the chosen one for Madden NFL 17. Rob Gronkowski’s stats last season were outstanding, including, 11 touchdowns and 1,176 receiving yards. His stats were a major factor on why he was chosen for the Madden NFL 17 cover, along with him being a fan favorite.

Recently, Rob Gronkowski has been announced inactive due to a herniated disk in his back. He most likely is going to be out for the rest of the 2016 season, which is very unfortunate for the New England Patriots since he is a crucial part of their offense.

Being on the cover of the infamous Madden NFL video game comes with strings attached. There is seemingly no escape from the “Madden Curse,” as seen with Rob Gronkowski and others. What started as a joke is now quite the superstition. Fans desperately attempt to keep their teams’ best player off the cover.

When the curse began in 1998, Garrison Hearst graced the cover of Madden NFL 99. Soon into the season Hearst broke his ankle. Out of the 19 players who have appeared on the cover of Madden NFL, 17 of them had shortened or tough seasons due to injuries.

A player who was possibly affected the most was St. Louis Rams running back Marshall Faulk. He appeared on the 2003 cover after the season before which was transcending for him. The preseason before the debut of the cover he had a total of 21 touchdowns and ran for over 2,000 yards. That upcoming season was a huge downfall in production for Faulk. After appearing on the cover of Madden NFL he never surpassed 1,000 rushing yards again.

Brett Farve is included in the list of 17 players cursed by being on the cover of Madden NFL. His terrific 2007 season was why he was selected to be on the cover. That season, Brett Farve threw for 4,155 yards with 28 touchdowns as the Green Bay Packers quarterback. Soon after the video game debuted, the quarterback was traded to the New York Jets, where he suffered much turmoil on and off the field which included a hidden bicep injury.

An exception to the “Madden Curse” is New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. As the first rookie to be on the cover, Beckham’s stats actually improved post debut. He improved in receiving yards, touchdowns, and average yards per reception.

Whether the “Madden Curse” is a joke that went too far or just a superstition by fans, players have been affected. There are many players whose post-video game debut performance level has dropped, like Michael Vick, Troy Polamalu, Vince Young, and more. There are the exceptions to the curse, like Odell Beckham Jr. and Larry Fitzgerald.

Being on the cover of Madden NFL is a great honor for any player, although being on the cover comes with the risk of being “cursed.”