For over 25 years in the history of the iconic franchise, the “Madden Curse” hardly disappeared. Garrison Hearst had ankles shortly after launch in 1998. Madden NFL 99Most players who appeared on the game cover were injured next season. Of 22 players selected carefully madden Sixteen games this season have dropped sharply since the last debut, with a troubling season.
EA Sports continued to ignore serious stories of curses on successful franchise and caused injury rashes and other negative, post-surface issues due to top performance and natural regression of players after the season. And probably right. Madden NFL 19 Gave me another chance to test the curse. Antonio Brown appears to have passed the test, but his tenure with the Steelers was significantly behind.
Kansas City Chieftain QB Patrick Mahomes is a newly named cover player. Madden NFL 20. Given the ridiculously good season of Mahomes last year, it's hard to imagine that the curse was hit this season. But we will see.
Madden NFL 20
Cover player:
Patrick Mar Holmes II (Kansas City Chieftain)
Road to cover
Patrick Mahomes backed up Alex Smith during the rookie season Kansas City Chiefs ranked 10th in the 2017 NFL Draft. In one game he threw almost 300 yards. Principals exchanged Smith for Redskins after the 2017 season, opening a mahome to become a starter in Kansas City.
Mahomes could not predict the monster season that will be in 2018. In the regular season, Mahomes started off defense with 12 interceptions, at 5,097 yards and 50 TDs. Thanks to Mahomes' keen accuracy and cannon, Chiefs had one of the most dynamic attacks in the NFL. He led the chief in the AFC Championship game and played well but eventually lost Tom Brady's Patriots.
Mahomes that take cover are no surprise to anyone. The 2018 season won NFL MVP, NFL Offensive Player of the Year and many other tributes. He is one of the rising stars in the NFL and is already one of the league's best quarterbacks. We will see if he can fill the stats sheet and avoid the cursed football season.
curse strike
Wow
The Kansas City Chieftain announced on October 17 that Mahomes had a knee injury.
Patrick Mahomes got a knee injury Embed Tweet
— Kansas city chiefs (@chiefs) 18 Oct 2019
It's not yet clear how this affects other Mahome seasons this season, but serious knee injuries are bad news enough to get star players out of the game. Chieftain fans must hold their breath.
Madden NFL 19
Cover player:
Antonio Brown (Pittsburgh Steelers)
Road to cover
Antonio Brown began his career when he originally teamed up with the Pittsburgh Steelers as a star star receiver. Initially, the focus was mainly on returning punts, and eventually found one of the best receivers in the team that could serve as a slot like Hines Ward or a deep threat like Mike Wallace.
This variety consistently made Brown one of the most popular goals for quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, and finished the 2017 regular season with more yards than anyone else in the NFL. He caused nine touchdowns with the ability to catch an unmatched almost impossible pass in the league. He is the flagship receiver of the Steelers, but has become a dangerous return threat.
In addition to field dominance, Brown is famous for his dance moves. Although relatively minor disciplinary actions do not seem to have a lasting effect on the willingness to make money in the end zone, he was punished for excessive celebration after several touchdowns.
curse Do not strike?
From a statistical point of view, Madden Curse did not attack Brown. He made 1,297 yards and 15 touchdowns with 104 passes. The impressive season helped Brown continue the season of receiving 1,000 yards.
Brown was a good season, but off Brown had a stunned off-season. He did not play in the final match of the 2018 regular season, allegedly engaging in a tense debate with Roethlisberger. Brown finished training at Parking 17 and ended his tenure with Steelers. Brown requested a deal offseason and was eventually sent to Oakland Radar for a draft pick with minimal reward for the Steelers.
His tenure with Raiders is the most ridiculous start. After treatment with systemic cryotherapy, Brown was very embarrassed by having terrible frostbite on his feet. It's ironic given that Madden uses EA's Frostbite engine.
Worse, the NFL banned Brown's favorite helmet this offseason. Obviously he really likes helmets. Because the NFL threatened to retire if not worn.
Madden Curse is generally defined as performance and injury, so Brown's 2018 season doesn't meet the criteria. But he was at the end of last year, which could off-season him. It is not due to serious injuries, but rather to a helmet rather than a deterioration of frostbite. If AB liked the helmet so much, why not wear it? Madden 19?
Madden NFL 2018
Cover player:
Tom Brady (New England Patriots)
Road to cover
Tom Brady's legendary career began with a humble beginning. The former University of Michigan quarterback was not selected by the patriots until the sixth round of the NFL Draft. At the start of the rookie season, Brady was a fourth quarterback on the Patriots depth chart, but as a starting pitcher in the middle of next season, he led the Patriots to their first Super Bowl win.
The victory was the start of the reign, which included three Super Bowl victories over four years. Focusing on Brady, the patriots were perennial super bowl competitors. In 2014, Brady collected the fourth Super Bowl ring and last season became the second player to win the fifth Super Bowls and the first quarterback. Brady has collected 13 Pro Bowl awards, 3 league MVP awards and 3 Super Bowl MVPs.
But his historical career was incontrovertible. Patriots has participated in numerous surveys throughout his career, including the 2015 “deflategate” scandal, which Brady was accused of deliberately shrinking football at the 2015 AFC Championship. Some see Brady's legacy as pure numbers and tribute, but he's the most decorated player on the cover of Madden and is arguably one of the best footballers of all time.
curse Do not strike
Before the start of the season we said that if any player could ignore Madden's curse, it would be Tom Brady. And what do you guess? Tom Brady did more than just avoid injuries or statistically sputter, and as an 18-year-old veteran laughed at the curse, one of the best seasons in the league (40). Brady exploded more than 4,500 yards and 32 pass touchdowns, leading Pat to AFC's best 13-3 record. His outstanding play won the third regular season MVP award.
At the AFC Championship, he continued his great campaign with the biggest playoffs ever, including a great comeback with Jacksonville Jaguars. In Super Bowl LII, Brady threw 505 yards and three touchdowns. Despite Brady's wonderful night, the Philadelphia Eagles topped the thriller. Brady's season was disappointing, but I can't deny Madden's curse.
Madden NFL 2017
Cover player:
Rob Gronovsky (New England Patriots)
Road to cover
The injury to Rob Gronkowski's career, with a large amount of New England Patriots tight, was a recurring problem. Madden NFL 17However, he still became one of the league's most productive and dominant players, taking his place for several years until the 2016-2017 season. Runner up last year Madden NFL Through the cover selection process, Gronkowski finished 10 seasons of touchdowns and 1,018 yards from 2015 to 2016, leading Patriots to playoffs. He was fourth on the Pro Bowl and AP All-Pro teams, ending another great season.
Curse
Gronkowski lost two games with his first hamster injury in 2016. He rarely appeared in the third and fourth weeks, but did not start until five weeks, when he built 109 camps in a game against Cleveland Browns. He was productive in the next five games of the Patriots, but was bruised with blockage after a massive blow by Seahawks DB Earl Thomas in a 11-season confrontation with Seattle.
Gronk was excluded from the Patriot 11 parking competition with San Francisco. He returned to the starting lineup against the New York jet next week, but left the game early before taking a single pass with a back injury. Gronk had surgery to repair the lumbar disc, placed on the injured sanctuary on December 3, 2016 and remained for the rest of the season. His season ended with three touchdowns at 540 reception yards and 25 catches. Superstar TE was forced to watch his patriots win the Super Bowl on the sideline.
Madden NFL 2016
Cover player:
Odel Beckham Jr. (New York Giants)
Road to cover
Odell Beckham Jr., the New York Giants receiver, ranked 12th in the 2014 NFL Draft, announced his presence with a memorable one-hand touchdown reception at a late Sunday night game against Dallas Cowboys in late 2014. Largest catch in NFL history.
Beckham became one of the best newcomer receivers in league history, setting countless records for both the first year's players and veterans who scored the season with 91 receptions and 12 touchdowns of 1,305 yards in 12 years. He eventually beat Rob Gronkowski of the New England Patriots and decorated the cover of the next edition. Madden NFLBecame the youngest player in the history of the series and has been on the cover.
curse Do not strike
"After making the cover, Beckham's season" was undermined by the field's fury issue, causing the Giants' receiver to stop the game, but the incident had no noticeable impact on his performance throughout the season. Finishing the season with 1,450 accommodation yards and 13 touchdowns, Beckham actually scored a higher number than the previous year, making it his second consecutive Pro Bowl.
Madden NFL 2015
Cover player:
Richard Sherman (Seattle Seahawks)
Road to cover
Richard Sherman, one of the most dominant defenders in the league, was able to stop the attack and then postpone the show. Madden NFL 2015 Cover player. Sherman started his season against the Madden Curse because even the best wide receiver could be transformed into an ordinary performer, telling ESPN, “I don't believe in curses. I believe in God. "
curse Do not strike
Sherman had another all-star performance in the 2014 season, fueled by the trend of cursed cover players, leading the Seahawks' defense and helping Seattle return to the Super Bowl for the second year in a row. It's not due to Sherman's lack of effort or performance that the team has hit three times to defend the league's lead Seattle despite the team's defeat with the New England Patriots.
But after the season, Seahawks announced that Sherman might need Tommy John surgery to repair the torn ligament of his left elbow during the offseason. But Sherman decided not to undergo surgery later, but to heal naturally. After all, he treated himself on time to return to the starting lineup for the first game of the 2015 season.
Madden NFL 25
Cover player:
Adrian Peterson (Minnesota Vikings)
Road to cover
Vikings Regain Adrian Peterson Madden NFL Honor is guaranteed when he returns to football after 8 months of rehab for the ACL and MCL bursts during the 2011 season. Before the injury, he was already the team's flagship, but with his victory at the Washington Redskins in December 2011, his expectations for a successful return seemed dim.
Peterson returned to the team in 2012 and rushed to 2,097 yards throughout the season, proving that all the doubters were wrong. It's a second record behind in league history. His performance helped the team finish the 3-13 record with 10-6 and won the NFL's Most Valuable Player Award.
Editor's note: Barry Sanders also Madden NFL 25Only PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 are released. He retired at the time and he had already offered his Madden curse sentence after appearing on Madden NFL 2000 cover.
Curse
Peterson's start of the 2013 season looked good with a 78-yard rushing touchdown in the first carry of the match, but was hurt by nagging during the first half. He played only 14 games and the team's record dropped to 5-10-1 after being declared a season in December due to a foot injury.
Madden NFL 2013
Cover player:
Calvin Johnson (Detroit Lions)
Road to cover
Calvin “Megatron” Johnson already had almost all the records he could have in the NFL before he was appointed as a cover player. Madden NFL 2013Former, the Georgia Institute of Technology responded to the hype surrounding his first round start in the 2007 NFL draft. Johnson recorded brilliant numbers during Detroit's notorious 0-16 season in 2008, during which he led the league to receive touchdowns and finished in the 5-yard yard.
curse Do not strike
Perhaps the best case for Madden Curse, Johnson's 2012 season was one of his best overall records, leaving numerous records with 1,964 yards throughout the season. Jerry Rice's record.
Johnson also set or tied an NFL record for 100 yard games and reception during 2012. Madden NFL 2013 You can stop him from becoming one of the best receivers to play the game.
Madden NFL 2012
Cover player:
Peyton Hillis (Cleveland Brown)
Road to cover
When the past fullback is back, Peyton Hillis goes from the Cleveland Browns' bench in 2010 to a 1,177 yard rush and 477 yards, receiving an eye on an unprecedented armed Braser for the amazing season.
At the end of the season, Hillis, who rushed to 397 yards over two seasons in the NFL, was in elite territory with the same threat as Marshall Faulk, and the rush rush with the other two threats was his catching and running ability. In competitions Madden NFL 2012 Cover player Hillis was selected by Ray Rice, Matt Ryan, Michael Vick and Super Bowl MVP Aaron Rodgers.
Curse
Hillis's problems began before 2011, which led to poor contract disputes at the Cleveland Club House, along with a team of physical problems, including a bout in the strep throat and a loss of matches throughout the season, usually hamstring injuries that were not synchronized.
He played only 10 games that season and was greatly disappointed in his 2010 game full of his highlights, which was only 587 yards. Browns refused to resign after the season and left the team as a free agent.
Madden NFL 2011
Cover player:
Drew Brice (New Orleans Saints)
Road to cover
Pass-happy New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees Madden NFL Since his record 2009 season, he led the Saints to the Super Bowl XLIV and beat the Indianapolis Colt in a wild shootout. Brees set a new NFL record for completion rates throughout the season, giving the Saints the first championship in franchise history. He was nominated for the Super Bowl MVP and received many other tributes including honors during the season. Sports illustrationSportsman of the year.
Curse
The 2010 season isn't a terrible disappointment overall, but Brees has had one of the worst seasons so far. In general, the correct passer-by intercepted twice as many times as in the previous years, and the overall sluggishness of the team caused the playoff defeat in the first week of the post season. The loss was particularly disappointing, given that New Orleans lost to Seattle, who went into the playoffs with a record of losing their first team in NFL history.
Madden NFL 2010
Cover player:
Larry Fitzgerald (Arizona Cardinals) and Troy Paula Maru (Pittsburgh Steelers)
Road to cover
Cover of Madden NFL 2010 In the same year, two players had their first year on the same cover, and as in the previous edition, the chosen player seems to be a relatively safe choice. Arizona Wide Receiver Larry Fitzgerald was praised as one of the best pass catchers in the NFL. Madden NFL When EA Sports approached him, he already made his Super Bowl appearances and debuted with season and franchise records.
Similarly, Troy Polamalu was already selected as several professional bowls before his Pittsburgh Steelers debuted. Madden NFL Last year he helped the Steelers win several Super Bowls, including the latest Super Bowl against Fitzgerald and the Cardinals.
Curse
Fitzgerald is one of the first obvious examples of Madden Curse. Wide receivers set several personal records during the 2009 season. He was a bit disappointed in 2010 (due to Kurt Warner's long quarterback), but still recorded impressive figures for both seasons. If there was a curse effect, a rib injury prevented Fitzgerald from playing in the 2010 Pro Bowl.
Polamalu, on the other hand, seems to have completely shattered the Madden curse. The defensive All-Stars had their inner collateral (MCL) in the first half of the 2009 first week and missed the next four games. He played three more games later that season, hurting his back cruciate ligament in November. The Steelers missed the playoff that year and ended up with 9-7.
Madden NFL 2009
Cover player:
Brett Fabre (Green Bay Packer)
Road to cover
EA Sports hoped to honor one of the league's largest quarterbacks by following Green Bay Packers veteran Brett Favre: Madden NFL 2009 After a famous passerby announced retirement from the league. This honor escaped one of the quarter's most successful seasons in the league, breaking several career milestones and solidifying his legacy in the phenomenal NFL record book of 2007. EA Sports Announces Upcoming Cover Plans Madden NFL After a torn retirement speech in March 2008 in Fabre.
Curse
Faster Madden NFL He made his debut with Fabre in the Green Bay jersey rather than a quarterback suddenly decided not to end the league. Favre eventually signed a contract with New York Jets and had a relatively decent season, damaged by off-field issues more than anything else in the field. It led to his retirement in 2011.
Madden NFL 2008
Cover player:
Vince Young (Tennessee Titans) & Luis Castillo (San Diego Chargers)
Road to cover
Vince Young, who won the BCS National Championship with a fabulous fashion at the University of Texas, broke a record of nearly every year's quarterback break with a fantastic rookie season that led college freshmen to the NFL. The fleet signal sender led Titans to several victories, eventually being named attacking rookie of the year and later named Pro Bowl that season.
Spanish version Madden NFL 2008After two seasons, Charger defender Luis Castillo was selected as the cover player of the game and became one of the NFL's fastest rising stars in terms of ball defense.
Curse
Before Young or Castillo was named cover Madden NFLBacking LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego is on the cover of the game. After launching a campaign to stop him because of fear of Madden curses sent by vocal charger fans, Tomlinson declined to offer EA Sports and noted that contract negotiations for his contract failed. The developer approached Young and Castillo.
After criticizing on Madden Curse when he made a presentation on late-night television, Young started slowly in the 2007 season and hurt 6 quads tofu. He missed the game next week. Missed the game due to injury. He returned later in the season to injure himself in the final game of the season, opening the door for Kerry Collins to back up.
When Knee was injured in the first game of the 2008 season, Young's transition to the backup role began the following season and Collins was named as the starting quarterback for the rest of the season.
Castillo proved that even the alternative version of the game was affected by Madden Curse, so that much of the 2007 season Madden NFL Cover player. Folded by a knee injury, he played only 10 games that season.
Madden NFL 2007
Cover player:
Sean Alexander (Seattle Seahawks)
Road to cover
Shaun Alexander, one of the already competent rushers and major cogs in the Seattle Seahawks' crime, hit the game again for the first time in NFL history, recording 15 consecutive touchdowns five times in a row, breaking the franchise record and starting the game to the next level. hurry. He recorded 19 TDs rushing or receiving in 10 games for the first time in NFL history.
As that wasn't enough, he was named NFL's most valuable player of the season and starred Sea Hawks in the Super Bowl XL. Oh, and he was also honored to be the first Seahawks player to appear on the cover. Sports illustration.
Curse
As can be seen that the effect of Madden Curse can be directly proportional to the achievement, Alexander's 2006 season lost ankle at 3 parking. Madden NFL Cover player. The season will be the first season without rushing 1,000 yards since becoming a Seahawks starter.
In the short 2006 season of Alexander, the injured fracture followed the 2007 season, resulting in wrist fractures, knee and high ankles. The result was a worse season, and in 2008 Alexander was cut off the team roster. Alexander told Madden Curse in an interview in 2007 with his appearance-injured appearance: Did you hurt or hurt it? ”
Madden NFL 2006
Cover player:
Donovan McNep (Philadelphia Eagles)
Road to cover
The former Syracuse quarterback led the Philadelphia Eagles to the NFL for several conference championships in the first five years and didn't support wide receivers for many seasons, but it was a success. (2003 Eagles became the only NFL team in modern times, no doubt that the wide receiver had two months without taking a touchdown pass). Bowl of franchise history in 2004, nodding him for the coming future. Madden NFL Cover the honor.
Curse
McNav dropped out of the season in 2005 with a groin injury and was listed on the preliminary list of injured players for the rest of the season. He did not fully recover the next season, and in 11 parking, the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and meniscus cartilage were torn and hit again once for the rest of the season. The remaining time in the NFL is marked by mismatched performances and chaos on and off the pitch, leading to the peak of the 2011 soccer career.
Madden NFL 2005
Cover player:
Ray Lewis (Baltimore Raven)
Road to cover
One of the league's most feared defenders, Ray Lewis anchored the team that repeatedly won the defense, especially the team that led the defense. The team already won the Super Bowl in 2000, and Lewis was one of the main reasons for Ravens' success, with more than 100 solo tackles in seven seasons, with several sacks, interceptions and record defensive performance.
Curse
Lewis's season since debut Madden NFL 2005 The cover player wasn't exactly terrible, and in general, a trusted linebacker failed to record the first single block that occurred in his long career in the 2004 season. The crows also failed to play for the first time in a few years, and in the next six seasons parking, Lewis ripped the right hamstring and ended the season abruptly.
Madden NFL 2004
Cover player:
Michael Big (Atlanta Falcon)
Road to cover
One of the league's most electrical players, Michael Vick, redefined the quarterback position during the early season, setting a rushing yard into the quarterback and setting high standards for completion rates and passing yards. Before Vick joined the league, another quarterback led the football game successfully, but the former Virginia Tech star raised the standard for mobile quarterbacks by nearly 3,000 yards and 777 yards soaring during the 2002 season. He also led the Atlanta Falcon to an unexpected playoff victory that year.
Curse
Shortly after Vick was announced to be a cover player Madden NFL 2004Vic fractured his right bone in a pre-season game. The injury missed the first 11 games of the season.
Madden NFL 2003
Cover player:
Marshall Fork (St. Louis Rams)
Road to cover
Marshall Faulk, who was already a Super Bowl champion and won several NFL Offensive Player of the Year awards, was at the center of a crime called “The Greatest Show in Turf”. Madden NFL 2003. He led the Rams to the second Super Bowl at the start of the season, now he's got a rush record and is abundant, and in 2002 he decided to run another championship.
Curse
The season after the fork appeared Madden NFL The cover proved to be the start of a decline for one of the NFL's most runbacks. The 2002 season became the first season he could not rush over 1,000 yards, and his season continued to decline. He missed the entire 2006 season with knee surgery and did not return to the league.
Madden NFL 2002
Cover player:
Daunte Culpepper (미네소타 바이킹)
덮개로가는 길
전 플로리다 중부 대학 스타 인 Daunte Culpepper는 2000 시즌을 앞두고 바이킹의 쿼터백으로 선정 된 후 NFL에서 빠른 성공을 거두었습니다. 그는 즉시 팀을 11-5 기록으로 이끌었고 거의 4,000 야드를 통과하고 거의 500 야드를 서두르는 힘에 관한 컨퍼런스 챔피언십 게임으로 이끌었습니다. 그는 프로 볼에 선발되었고 2001 년 리그에서 가장 유명한 젊은 쿼터백 중 하나로 시작하여 매든 NFL 2002 시즌 중반에 선수를 보호하십시오.
저주가 치다
지명 된 후 불과 몇 개월 매든 NFL Culpepper는 피츠버그 스틸러스와의 경기에서 무릎 부상을 입었고 2001 시즌의 나머지 부분을 놓쳐 야했습니다. 그는 다음 시즌에 23 번의 터치를 18 번의 터치 다운으로 던지면서 성능이 떨어졌다.
이것은 "매드 커스 (Madden Curse)"라는 개념이 게임 표지에 등장한 후 예상치 못한 성능 저하를 논의 할 때 널리 언급 된 첫 해 중 하나입니다.
매든 NFL 2001
커버 선수 :
에디 조지 (테네시 타이탄)
덮개로가는 길
The Heisman Trophy winner from Ohio State University earned a reputation as one of the most reliable workhorses in the NFL during his nine-season career, and he entered the 2000 season saddled with high expectations after his team was defeated by the slimmest of margins in the previous year’s Super Bowl. George had rushed for over 1,200 yards in each of his four seasons thus far, and averaged over 3.7 yards per carry to carry the team.
The Curse Strikes
The ever-reliable George seemed like a safe bet to break the curse when he was named the Madden NFL 2001 cover athlete, and the jinx seemed destined to end when the Titans entered the playoffs as one of the most dominant teams in the NFL with George in the midst of a record-breaking season.
Nevertheless, a rare bobbled pass by George late in the fourth quarter of a playoff game against the Baltimore Ravens led to an interception and a touchdown that ended the Titans’ otherwise stellar season. While George would remain in the NFL for four more seasons, he never ran for more than 1,200 yards in a season again and averaged less than 3.4 yards per carry for the remainder of his career.
Madden NFL 2000
Cover Athletes:
Barry Sanders (Detroit Lions) & Dorsey Levens (Green Bay Packers)
The Road to the Cover
Widely regarded as one of the greatest running backs of all time, Barry Sanders was voted to the Pro Bowl every season he was in the league, and in 1997 he became one of only three players to rush for over 2,000 yards in a single season. He also became the first player to rush for over 1,500 yards in four consecutive seasons and finished the 1998 season with the third-highest career rushing yards in NFL history.
In contrast, Green Bay running back Dorsey Levens was a relative newcomer to the NFL spotlight prior to appearing on the Madden NFL cover. With only two seasons rushing for over 1,000 yards, Levens was a surprising choice for the game’s cover, but his appearance in the 1997 Pro Bowl after a 1,400-yard season had earned him recognition as one of the league’s fastest rising stars.
The Curse Strikes
Not too long after he was named the cover athlete for Madden NFL 2000, Sanders announced his retirement from the NFL in a surprise move that left fans — and the league, by most accounts — reeling. While it’s not the most obvious evidence of a “curse,” Sanders’ unexpected exit from the league left a huge void in the Detroit roster, and there still remains quite a bit of controversy (and mystery) surrounding the scenario that ended the career of one of the league’s greatest players.
With Sanders’ abrupt exit, EA Sports quickly put together another cover featuring up-and-coming star Levens, who had helped lead the Green Bay Packers to several playoff runs in recent years. The season after appearing on the cover would end up being on his last on the starting roster, however, as a nagging injury limited him in 1999 and Green Bay posted their worst record since Brett Favre became the team’s quarterback in 1992. Levens would be released by the Packers in 2001.
Madden NFL 99
Cover Athlete:
Garrison Hearst (San Francisco 49ers)
The Road to the Cover
After joining the 49ers in 1997, the former University of Georgia running back set franchise records in 1998 for yards in a season and combined rushing / receiving yards. He also famously achieved one of the longest runs in NFL history when he ran for a game-winning touchdown in overtime against the New York Jets during the team’s first game of the 1998 season.
The Curse Strikes
After being named the first-ever cover athlete for the upcoming edition of Madden NFL, Hearst led the 49ers to the playoffs, only to suffer a horrifying broken ankle in the team’s second-round game against the Atlanta Falcons. Complications from surgery caused a bone in his foot to die, and early prognosis indicated that he might never play football again. Hearst missed the next two seasons rehabilitating from the injury.
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