Philadelphia Eagles stud Saquon Barkley sees it as an honor … not a curse.
So no way he was going to turn down the opportunity ro be the Madden NFL 26 cover star.
When he got the invite,the All-Pro running back thought of how many people would like to be in his cleats …
And apparently thought not at all about the so-called “Madden Curse,” and its connection to the video game cover stars who have sustained a serious injury in the same season they serve as the honoree.
“I know so many people, so many kids that ... would love to be in the position I’m in right now,” the Eagles running back told NFL Network on Monday.
Barkley went on to detail that he believes in God, not curses.
“I’ve had injuries before. I tore my knee, I stepped on a foot and rolled my ankle and was out 4-to-6 weeks, and there was no curse then,” he said. “That’s just how life works. You’re gonna have your ups and downs, but my mindset is coming in, work, do what I need to do, and the rest is in God’s hands**.”**
And so … no Barkley worries here? No belief in curses?
“Nah,” he said. “I’m a believer in God.”
He joins Donovan McNabb as the only Eagles stars to grace the cover of the game in its over 25 years of history. However, he is the first Eagles offensive player to be named to the Madden NFL '99 Club.'
Barkley rushed for 2,005 yards on 345 carries this season for a staggering 5.8 yards per carry. 13 of those touches ended in the end zone for the MVP candidate who finished just 101 yards shy of Eric Dickerson's regular season record.