Odell Beckham Jr. Prepares To Challenge The Madden Curse

Oct 19, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (13) celebrates his second quarter touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Oh, he’s not going to talk about that again, is he? Better believe he is because face it folks, the evidence is overwhelming. Odell Beckham Jr., fresh off his electrifying rookie season that began the process of turning the New York Giants into an offensive powerhouse, is set to grace the coveted Madden video game sports cover. Understandable when one makes plays like this.

However, he must be prepared to stare down one of the greatest forces known to professional football: the dreaded Madden curse.

It’s something that has garner real world acclaim over the years. A seeming jinx that befalls each player who has appeared on it, either by injury or misfortune on the field. It’s hard to imagine something like that happening to such a young player, but here is the list of victims so all known what he’s up against.

Garrison Hearst – Madden 1999

Broke his ankle in the 1998 divisional round and missed two years.

Dorsey Levens – Madden 2000

Packers missed the playoffs for second-straight year and he was released a year later.

Eddie George – Madden 2001

Bobbled key pass that was intercepted for a touchdown in crushing divisional round playoff loss. Averaged 3.4 yards per carry rest of his career.

Daunte Culpepper – Madden 2002

Threw 23 interceptions and broke the NFL record for most fumbles in a season.

Marshall Faulk – Madden 2003

Suffered a series of knee injuries and eventually lost his job to Steven Jackson. Never topped 1,000 yards again.

Michael Vick – Madden 2004

Broke his leg in the pre-season and was later arrested for leading a dog fighting ring.

Ray Lewis – Madden 2005

Suffered season-ending wrist injury, failed to record an interception and team finished 6-10.

Donovan McNabb – Madden 2006

Tore his ACL and meniscus in the right knee during the season.

Shaun Alexander – Madden 2007

Foot injury caused him to miss six games and was out of the league by 2008.

Vince Young – Madden 2008

Threw 17 interceptions to just nine touchdowns and played poorly enough to get himself benched a year later.

Brett Favre – Madden 2009

Shoulder injury and sexual harassment scandal plagued him as his New York Jets went from 8-3 to 9-7 and missed the playoffs.

Troy Polamalu and Larry Fitzgerald – Madden 10

Polamalu sprained him MCL and later his PCL too, missing several games. Fitzgerald saw his hopes for another Super Bowl chance end 45-14 in New Orleans.

Drew Brees – Madden 11

Threw 22 interceptions and lost wild card playoff to 7-9 Seattle Seahawks.

Peyton Hillis – Madden 12

Missed six games with hamstring problems and strep throat. Hasn’t started for a team since.

Calvin Johnson – Madden 13

Broke the single-season receiving record (and also multiple fingers on his hands) but his Detroit Lions also went from 10-6 to 4-12 that season.

Adrian Peterson – Madden 25th anniversary

Foot injury knocked him out of two games. The Vikings went from 10-6 to 5-10-1. Peterson was later suspended for a child abuse scandal.

Richard Sherman – Madden 15

Injured his elbow at the end of the NFC championship. Watched his defense give up the winning touchdown in the Super Bowl.

The list is long and many of its believers see it only growing with each player who unknowingly allows themselves to appear on it. Put simply? Be afraid, Odell Beckham Jr. Be very afraid.

Next: NFL Power Rankings: Top 5 Wide Receiving Corps

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