How the mighty have fallen. Forget Vick's numerous run-ins with the law or his infamous dogfighting scandal in the years after his "Madden 2004" cover. The curse struck Vick before he could even suit up for a regular-season game in 2003. Just days after the release of "Madden 2004," Vick broke his right fibula in a preseason game and missed the next 12 weeks.
Atlanta, a trendy pick for the playoffs when Vick was healthy, suffered through a 5-11 season, and Vick managed only 585 yards passing and four touchdown passes when he returned in the final weeks of the year. Despite his inconsistent play, Vick still was considered the most electric player in football for his highlight-reel runs -- he topped 1,000 rushing yards in 2006, his last season in the league.
After Vick's horrific season, it is finally confirmed: The Madden Cover Curse is real.