All NFL Players Who Were In Cover Of Madden

The cover on sports games is actually a pretty big deal, no matter if we talk about NBA, NFL, or FIFA. Why? Well, the person featured on the cover of the game is often the most successful athlete during the last season, which got people excited and his name was often the most Googled from the rest of the athletes.

So, if you want to find out which athlete did well during a season, just check the cover of the games. It often features an athlete with an incredible record which gained a lot of popularity among fans.

No matter if the athlete is not in the team you support, gamers always show appreciation for their hard work and they cannot deny their success from the previous season. With that said, every time game developers pick a player to be showcased on the cover, it usually follows a long and heated debate from fans who have different opinions.

But after some time, the dust settles and we all go back to enjoying the game.

In terms of the cover of the game, it is not only the picture on the CD box. Often sports games have in-game specials that also feature the athlete from the cover. So, it is quite a big deal.

This brings us to the question about Madden NFL. Which athletes have been featured on the cover of this incredible game that sold millions of copies?

Let’s find out.

The Early Days: 2001-2005

Madden 2001: Eddie George: Eddie George, the Tennessee Titans' workhorse running back, was the first player to grace the Madden cover in 2001. Coming off a Super Bowl appearance and a stellar season, George embodied the power and determination that defined early 2000s football.
Madden 2002: Daunte Culpepper: Daunte Culpepper was fresh off an 11-5 season with the Vikings, throwing for 3,937 yards and leading the league with 33 touchdowns. Unfortunately, his cover year saw a significant dip in performance due to injuries, marking one of the first instances of the Madden Curse.
Madden 2003: Marshall Faulk: As a key player in "The Greatest Show on Turf," Faulk’s versatility made him a perfect cover athlete. Known for his dual-threat capabilities as a rusher and receiver, Faulk’s performance dipped post-cover, highlighting the curse narrative.
Madden 2004: Michael Vick: Vick’s cover was iconic, thanks to his electrifying playstyle and unparalleled athleticism. However, a broken leg in the preseason sidelined him for much of the year, reinforcing the Madden Curse myth.
Madden 2005: Ray Lewis: The first defensive player on the cover, Ray Lewis was synonymous with hard-hitting defense. This edition introduced the "hit stick," a nod to Lewis's ferocity on the field. Despite the curse, Lewis remained a dominant force.

Mid-2000s to Early 2010s: Expanding the Legacy

Madden 2006: Donovan McNabb: McNabb had led the Eagles to the Super Bowl the previous season. While his cover year saw mixed results, the introduction of the controversial QB Vision cone divided fans.
Madden 2007: Shaun Alexander: Coming off an MVP season, Alexander’s subsequent injuries added fuel to the Madden Curse fire. Despite this, his legacy as a top rusher remains intact.
Madden 2008: Vince Young: Young was seen as a future star after a remarkable rookie season. However, his career trajectory changed post-cover, with injuries and inconsistent play becoming prevalent.
Madden 2009: Brett Favre: The cover choice was unusual as Favre retired and then unretired, joining the Jets after the cover was already released with him in a Packers uniform.
Madden 2010: Troy Polamalu and Larry Fitzgerald: This was the first cover to feature two athletes. Polamalu suffered injuries that season, while Fitzgerald continued to perform at a high level, providing a mixed outcome for the curse theory.

Modern Era: 2011-Present

Madden 2011: Drew Brees: Brees is one of the best Saints players of all time and during that season he won the Super Bowl and continued to play at an elite level, partially breaking the curse narrative.
Madden 2012: Peyton Hillis: Perhaps the most surprising cover athlete, Hillis had a breakout year but quickly faded into obscurity post-cover.
Madden 2013: Calvin Johnson: "Megatron" broke the single-season receiving yards record post-cover, showing that the curse might be weakening.
Madden 2014: Adrian Peterson: Peterson was one of the most dominant running backs of his era, and his cover year was marked by strong performances despite off-field issues.
Madden 2015: Richard Sherman: As a leader of the "Legion of Boom," Sherman’s cover represented a shift towards dominant defenses.
Madden 2016: Odell Beckham Jr.: Known for his incredible catches, Beckham’s presence on the cover solidified his status as a rising star.
Madden 2017: Rob Gronkowski: Despite injury concerns, Gronk remained one of the best tight ends in the league during his cover year.
Madden 2018: Tom Brady: The GOAT himself, Brady’s cover came after a historic Super Bowl win. No curse here—just continued greatness.
Madden 2019: Antonio Brown: Brown’s off-field controversies overshadowed his on-field prowess during his cover year.
Madden 2020: Patrick Mahomes: Mahomes broke the curse narrative by winning a Super Bowl the same season he graced the cover.
Madden 2021: Lamar Jackson: Jackson’s dynamic play style was highlighted in his cover year, though injuries slightly marred his season.
Madden 2022: Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes: Two of the greatest quarterbacks of all time shared the cover, representing the past and future of the league.
Madden 2023: John Madden: The iconic coach and broadcaster himself was honored on the cover, celebrating his legacy in football.
Madden 2024: Josh Allen: As the first Buffalo Bills player to grace the cover, Allen’s inclusion marks his rise to elite quarterback status.
Madden 2025: Christian McCaffrey: McCaffrey's versatility and explosive play earned him the latest cover spot, highlighting his impact on the field and in the game.

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