In the world of video games, there are very few constants. The Madden NFL franchise has been rolling out annually for decades and is often considered one of these said constants alongside FIFA, NBA 2K, and Call of Duty. Unlike these other franchises, Madden NFL has a ✅storied history of cover athletes that range anywhere from first ballot Hall of Fame type guys to one-hit wonders that are often forgotten about. The franchise also has its own conℱspiracy theory attached to it by way of the fan labeled "Madden Curse." This curse claims that anyone who appears on the covers is often cursed for the following season.

We've seen it be pretty consistent over the years and has resulted in injuries, off years, disappointments, and general failures. Though the severity of the curse has a wide range and can sometimes be devastating while other times resulted in minor inconveniences, it's proven to have some hard evidence behind it. Today we'll be ranking all of these cursed cover athletes from worst to first. Now, the gam✤es feature marginal changes so comparing them based on the games isn't interesting. Instead, we'll be ranking them based on the cover athletes themselves. The list will probably feature one player higher or lower than you would like, but a good amount of thought was put into it.

As much bias as possible was thrown out the window as well, which is evident by the #1 player. Who honestly likes the Patriots outside of Boston? Let's now take a look at the last 20 Madden NFL cover athletes ranked from worst to first.

20 Peyton Hillis (🌊Madden NFL ♊12)

Peyton Hillis was a fullback with the Denver Broncos who flashed athleticism and true running back ability. After his two year stint, he signed a contract with the Cleveland Browns in 2010 that led to a breakout 1,000-yard season and the cover of Madden NFL 12 in 2011. His following year was hampered by injuries and a lot of input from his agent to sit out and take care of his body in hopes of signing a nice extension in the offseason.🐼 The Browns didn't end up resigning Hillis, who eventually landed with the Kansas City Chiefs. His burst was never the same and he retired from the NFL in 2015.

19 💮 V♏ince Young (Madden NFL 08)

Vince Young was arguably one of the greatest college quarterbacks of all-time and quickly rose to popularity as he was heading towards the NFL draft. The Tennessee Titans selected Young in hopes of him becoming the next Steve McNair for the franchise. After a promising and electric rookie stint coached by Jeff Fisher, Vince Young won the Offensive Rookie of the Year award as well as capturing the cover for Madden NFL 08. During the offseason Jeff Fisher and the Titans had numerous troubling events take place involving Vince Young and his mental health. He was never quite able to get over his inner demons and develop into a franchise quarterback.

18 💯 Od🗹ell Beckham Jr. (Madden NFL 16)

Odell Beckham Jr. is arguably the most popular player on this list and has truly reached superstar status in the NFL. Though he is still quite young, his numbers on the field are impressive despite multiple coaching staff changes as well as being partnered up with Eli Manning, whose arm strength and precision quickly deteriorated over the years. After a surprising offseason trade from the New York Giants to the Cleveland Browns, he'll now be suiting up in the orange and brown in 2019. With a young confident quarterback and a dynamic offense around him, OBJ may be primed for his best year yet.

17 🐭 Richard Sherman (Maꦺdden NFL 15)

If there are two things that define the Madden NFL 15 cover athlete Richard Sherman, they're probably his intelligence and his trash talk. He's known for being one of the biggest trash talkers in the NFL as well as one of the smartest players on the field and in the film room. Sherman's never been the fastest or most versatile corner, but he's made up for it with his♋ film study and instincts. He's often overlooked due to being surrounded by the rest of the Legion of Boom in Seattle, but his first year in San Francisco showcased his accolades weren't a byproduct of the talent around him. He's just that good, to begin with.

16 Daunte Culpepper (M🍷adden NFL 200⛎2)

When people talk about Minnesota Vikings offensive greatness the conversation usually circles around Randy Moss, Cris Carter, and Randall Cunningham. You rarely hear people talk about Daunte Culpepper and it's likely due to his inconsistency. Including his incredible sophomore year that led to the Madden NFL cover, Culpepper had 2 other incredible seasons for the Minnesota Vikings. The problem is that these were spaced between years and in his 7-year stint in Minnesota he only played a full 16 game season 3 times. Daunte Culpepper was never the perennial pro bowl quarterback, but he was a u𝕴nique talent that gave the Vikings some incredible seasons.

15 Shaun Alexanderꦍ (Madden NFL 07)

Shaun Alexander is a perfect role model for athletes who were never the fastest, strongest, or most agile. Alexander showcased that a consistent work ethic and a never-ending motor can take you places pure ability and talent can't. People forget that Alexander was one of the Seattꦬle Seahawks greats because he was quickly succeeded by Marshawn Lynch. Alexander had 5 consecutive 1,000 rushing yard seasons and ending his career with 100 rushing touchdowns. You don't have the type of career if you're not dedicated to being the best version of yourself day in and day out.

14 Donovan Mc🃏Nabb 🍌(Madden NFL 06)

Prior to the craze of Nick Foles helping the Philadelphia Eagles win their first Super Bowl in team history it was easy to name the best quarterbacks in franchise's history. Two of the names that quickly come to mind are Randall Cunningham and Donovan McNabb. Donovan McNabb was a very talented quarterback who had the fortune of being coached by Andy Reid, one of the most intelligent offensive minds the NFL has ever seen. Despite putting up tremendous numbers and making the NFL Hall of Fame, McNabb never won the big game. It's the biggest missing piece for his resu⛎me when discussing all-time greats.

13 ไ 🤪 Adrian Peterson (Madden NFL 25)

Adrian Peterson from a purely physical recovery standpoint is a modern miracle. The guy's body just doesn't quit despite what years of research and analysis have told us. Running backs have one of the shorter NFL shelf lives for a given position in the NFL. He's managed to find opportunities despite numerous setbacks and continues to make a case for the NFL Hall of Fame. His off-the-field issues have tarnished his overall appea𓂃rance, so it's tough to say ho꧃w things will shake out in the end. Will he be in the Hall of Fame? Surely. How long will it take? Who knows.

12 Antonio Brown (Madden NFL 18) 𝕴

Being the most recent athlete on the cover, Antonio Brown is obviously one of the most talented players in the NFL. The problem is really about how he fits into a team and how much of a problem can he be in your locker room. With his recent trade from the Pittsburgh Steelers to the Oakland Raiders, we're not quite sure how the Madden Curse might affect him. No one wishes for athletes to get hurt, but the consensus joke♈ is that being paired with the once hopeful franchise quarterback Derek Carr may be his curse. Others feel that it may be a clashing of philosophy with Gruden. Either way, we're going to have to wait and find out.

11 Michael Vick (Madden NFL 2004🐟) ෴

Michael Vick is one of the most interesting players to dawn the cover of the Madden NFL franchise. He made the cover solely because he was a quarterback that the NFL had really never seen before. Though there were the likes of Steve Young and Randall Cunningham, Vick was the first true dynamic dual-threat NFL quarterback in the modern era of the game. Every time he stepped on the field in Atlanta he was easily the fastest person on the field. Interestingly enough his best years as a passer came in Philadelphia under Andy Reid and company. Everyone had a friend who only used Michael Vick in Madden NFL 2004.