“The Madden Curse” Heading for the Big Screen

It's a dopey idea, but if they do it right it, could be brilliant.

Since 1999, EA Sports has been featuring an elite football player on the box of its hit video game, Madden NFL, and in that time, nine players who have been so honored have fallen victim to what is now known as the "Madden Curse."

The comedy will “follow a former Madden video game champion who is forced out of retirement just as he finds himself on the corner of the game’s cover — and subject to the curse," reported The Wrap.

Lest you doubt the cloud of doom that follows a player after appearing on the game's cover, check out this list of woe, bearing in mind that the game actually comes out before the preceding season:

Dante Culpepper, 2002: In 2003 he threw 23 interceptions and set the NFL record for fumbles while leading the Vikings to a 5-11 record.

Marshall Faulk, 2003: Began missing games, production tanked, blew out a knee and was out of football by 2005.

Michael Vick, 2004: Broke his leg in the pre-season, missed Falcons first 12 games as the team went 5-11.

Ray Lewis, 2005: A Week 15 wrist injury ended his season, his first without an interception.

Donovan McNabb, 2006: Tore his ACL.

Shaun Alexander, 2007: Hurt his foot, missed six starts, never regained his MVP form.

Vince Young, 2008: In 2008 injured his knee in the first game of the season and didn't win back his starting job until October 2009.

Brett Favre: 2009: After leading the Jets to an 8-3 start, a torn bicep drove him to throw a league-leading 22 interceptions and finish the season 97-7 and out of the playoffs.

Larry Fitzgerald & Troy Polamalu, 2010: Two injuries caused Polamalu to miss 12 games, while Fitzgerald had another fine season, but had to bow out of the Pro Bowl with a rib injury.

Saints QB Drew Brees graces the cover of the current Madden cover and is doing OK thus far, leading his team to a 10-4 start and a likely playoff berth. Stay tuned.

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