EXCLUSIVE
What started as a simple joke may now become a motion picture.
Electronic Arts is developing "Madden Curse," a sports comedy that incorporates the infamous jinx, believed to strike NFL players who appear on the cover of EA's popular "Madden" video game with injury or poor performance.
The story 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.
Pat O'Brien, VP of EA Entertainment, is spearheading the project as one of its producers.
O'Brien wasn't immediately available for comment on Monday, but an individual at Electronic Arts confirmed that the company is developing a movie about the so-called curse.
In 2007, EA Sports' director of marketing Chris Erb told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "I don't know that we believe in the curse. The players don't believe in the curse."
Tell that to LaDainian Tomlinson, the former San Diego Chargers running back who turned down the opportunity to appear on the 2008 cover of Madden. Tomlinson cited contract negotiations as the chief reason why he turned down the cover, but perhaps Tomlinson is a bit more superstitious than he's willing to admit.
The Madden franchise has already spawned a reality TV show, "Madden Nation," which has aired on ESPN2 since 2005. The series follows top players from around the nation as they compete for the chance to win a $100,000 grand prize.
Regardless of whether the Madden Curse actually exists or not, it certainly has a spooky history (outlined in great detail below; thus ends news about the potential film).
NFL legend John Madden appeared on the cover of all the Madden games until 1999, when San Francisco 49ers running back Garrison Hearst had the unfortunate honor. Hearst played well throughout the regular season but broke his fibula in the NFC divisional playoffs. He missed two full seasons rehabbing his leg and never fully recovered from the injury.
In 2000, the Madden cover featured runnings backs Barry Sanders and Dorsey Levens. When Sanders retired before the season, EA Sports released new copies of the game with Levens on the cover. He injured his knee and never won his starting job back.
The Madden Curse struck 2001 cover subject Eddie George a year late, though his career was cut short nonetheless, while QB Dante Culpepper suffered a season-ending knee injury after appearing on the 2002 cover.
After rushing for more than 1,300 yards for four straight seasons, 2003 cover Marshall Faulk was bothered by a lingering ankle injury that limited him to under 1,000 rushing yards.
Michael Vick broke his leg one day after Madden 2004 was released with his photo on the cover. He only played in five games all year.
After earning the honor in 2005, perennial Pro Bowler Ray Lewis failed to record a single interception, and a torn hamtring forced him to watch the Ravens fail to make the playoffs for the first time in four seasons.
