Tom Brady plans to play for six or seven more years, according to New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, but another hurdle was put in the quarterback’s path Friday morning with the announcement that he will be on the cover of EA’s Madden 18.
Tom Brady has to fight off the Madden curse, in addition to Father Time
Rob Gronkowski struggled through injuries in 2016 after appearing on Madden 17. Now it’s Tom Brady’s time to face the curse.
Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images
“I’m not one to believe in curses, so I’m ready to take the challenge head on like always!” Tom Brady said in a release. “It doesn’t stand a chance!!!”
Tom Brady doesn’t believe in curses
Facebook — Tom Brady
The curse that Brady is referring to is the legendary Madden curse — a streak of misfortune that struck players who were on the cover of the video game franchise. At one point, seven athletes in nine years had poor seasons after appearing on the Madden cover.
But it went dormant for a while. Former Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson set the record for receiving yards after appearing on Madden 13, and Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman was a first-team All-Pro after earning a spot on Madden 15.
Patriots fans may be a little sensitive to the curse, though. Rob Gronkowski was on the cover a year ago and he struggled through injuries in 2016, eventually landing on injured reserve due to a back injury that required surgery to repair. New England went on to win Super Bowl 51, but the tight end watched from the sideline.
Losing Brady would be a much bigger deal.
The quarterback turns 40 in August. That puts him on the fast track for a career decline. Most passers’ time in the NFL ended before that age, and only Brett Favre, Warren Moon, and Vinny Testaverde started at least eight games after reaching their 40s.
Brady insists his time in the NFL isn’t coming to an end too soon, and he’ll now have to traverse the Madden curse to keep that promise.
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