Saquon Barkley reference a higher power when asked if he believes in the 'Madden Curse'
Saquon Barkley reference a higher power when asked if he believes in the 'Madden Curse' During an appearance on NFL Network, Saquon Barkley told Brian Baldinger and Tom Pelissero that he's not worried about the 'Madden Curse' because he's a believer in GOD
Saquon Barkley has had a busy Monday, revealing the news of his 'Madden NFL 26' cover and making cheesesteaks for Eagles fans at the legendary Geno's.
The honor comes after Barkley rushed for a franchise-record 2,005 yards in the regular season, becoming just the ninth player in NFL history to surpass 2,000 yards in a single season.
Barkley took time out of his hectic day to join Brian Baldinger and Tom Pelissero on the NFL Network, where he discussed his video game cover and the vaunted Madden Curse. When asked if he believes in the jinx, Barkley said he's a "believer in God" and he's not worried about any curse.
Barkley may not believe in the curse, but the struggles that follow a Madden cover are real and concerning. 49ers star running back Christian McCaffrey, who was on the cover of Madden 25, missed the remainder of the 2024 season after suffering a PCL injury in their Week 13 loss to the Buffalo Bills. McCaffrey appeared in four games before that due to an Achilles injury. After rushing for over 2,000 yards and winning NFL MVP in 2012, Adrian Peterson declined in 2013, running for just 1,266 yards over 14 games that season. After winning a fan vote to be featured on the cover of the game, Browns running back Payton Hillis only appeared in 10 games in 2011 due to injury and only averaged 3.6 yards per carry when he was on the field. In 2007, after rushing for over 1,000 yards in five straight seasons, the 2005 NFL MVP Shaun Alexander rushed for 896 yards over 10 games in 2006 due to a broken foot and was out of the NFL two years later.
In 2003, after recording five straight 1,000-yard seasons, the star Rams running back Marshall Faulk only started 10 games in 2002 and never reached the 1,000-yard mark again for the rest of his career.
The game will be available in stores on August 14, and EA Sports is offering a bundle package that includes Madden 26 and College Football 26. Bills star and NFL MVP Josh Allen landed the cover in 2024, while the great John Madden reclaimed his cover in 2023 following his passing.
In 2022, Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes shared the cover.
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