This week, EA Sports announced who would be the cover star of this year’s edition of the Madden video game series, Madden NFL 16. It came down to two men, New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski and New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Junior. It was the Giants man, he of the ridiculous catch who won out.
Madden NFL 02, Daunte Culpepper, Minnesota Vikings.
Culpepper earned the cover after a terrific season in 2000, where his rocket arm combined with prolific wide receiver Randy Moss to get the Vikings to the NFC Championship game. Things soon deteriorated after gracing the Madden cover. Culpepper played only 11 games, the following year throwing only 14 TDs and 13 Interception. He also tied the record for most fumbles in a single season. He would later rebound with some success, but the Vikings were on the way down, and Culpepper continued with his Jekyll and Hyde routine for the rest of his career
Madden NFL 04, Michael Vick, Quarterback
While never truly a top tier QB, Vick was one of the most terrifying players in the NFL in the early 2000s. Vick was given the cover after wowing the NFL for several seasons, a win away to Green Bay in the playoffs while setting the record for most rushing yards in a single game by a QB were among his more noteworthy achievements. He was a true highlight reel player.
Vick would miss most of the 2003 season (his cover year) due to a broken fibula suffered in a preseason game, putting up pedestrian passing numbers during the final five games of the season. Vick endured a series of legal problems in the seasons after serving a two year jail sentence for his involvement in an underground dog-fighting ring. Somewhat controversially Vick remains in the NFL and is currently a free agent, looking to capture some of that old sparkle which has alluded him in all but one post Madden cover season.
Peyton Hillis, Madden NFL 12, Running Back.
Hillis was the ultimate one season wonder. Hillis had a superb 2010 season, barging his way to 1,177 yards. Hillis showed decent vision at times, but ultimately relied far too much on blocking, needing to get past the defensive line to truly cause damage in the opponent's secondary. In the four seasons since his monster year, Hillis has been negated to a backup role, notching a measly 1,258 yards. He is currently a free agent, and will quite likely stay that way. Hillis’ career has been beset by injury and poor form, with the man himself attributing his decline to the “Curse”.
Recent years have been far more kind to Madden’s cover athletes. Richard Sherman last year’s covermodel, continued his stellar form and the Seahawks returned to the Super Bowl, although an arm injury hampered the star cornerback in their Super Bowl. Calvin Johnson set an NFL single season record for most receiving yards his cover despite breaking his fingers during the season, it is possible to succeed to a degree!
Odell Beckham Jr. is already a star, we all remember his phenomenal catch against the Cowboys, and he was electrifying in the twelve games he played in. He holds nine NFL records (setting three, matching five more, with one record still ongoing) set 18 NFL rookie records, equalling a further 7. He is the real deal, watch what he does to Richard Sherman here, superb footwork on the double move, to break free and make another great catch.
