EA Sports announced on Monday that the next installment of their popular NFL video game, Madden NFL 15, will hit stores on August 26. Leading up to the release of the game, EA Sports and ESPN will again hold a fan cover vote.
EA announced in a statement that a "special announcement" on the cover vote will be made on ESPN and NFL Network during the first round of NFL Draft on Thursday, May 8. Fans have voted for the cover athlete of the game for the past four versions (11, 12, 13, and 25).
Madden Files
Last year, voting included current stars and NFL legends, including Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller and former Broncos running back Terrell Davis. Both players were eliminated by the second round of voting.
Thanks to the alleged "Madden Curse," however, few Broncos fans were disheartened by the early exits of Miller and Davis.
Dating back to 1999, the cover athlete of the video game has often suffered an injury the following season, a forgettable season, or both. This has caused fans to be wary of their favorite players making the cover.
It is unclear if EA will include legends again in this year's voting, but that seems to be the best solution. Former Detriot Lions running back Barry Sanders won the cover vote last year (although Adrian Peterson did make the next gen—XBOX One and Play Station 4—covers). As a former player, Sanders was in no danger of being "jinxed."
Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman appears to be the early favorite to win this year's cover vote after an outspoken 2013 performance and Super Bowl victory.
Here's what we want to know: Will you vote for any Broncos (past or present) in this year's cover vote?
Is the curse real, or did Peterson (279 carries for 1,266 yards and 10 touchdowns) prove last season that the alleged curse is just a silly superstition? Give us your take in the comments below and be sure to vote in the poll!