Philadelphia Eagles legend Donovan McNabb has nothing but praise for Saquon Barkley’s selection as the Madden NFL 26 cover athlete — and he’s telling fans not to worry about any supposed “curse” that might come with it.
Following the announcement that Barkley will grace the cover of this year’s Madden game, featuring his iconic reverse hurdle against Jacksonville, McNabb weighed in on both the honor and the superstition that has long surrounded it. McNabb, who was the cover athlete for Madden NFL 06, called Barkley’s selection “absolutely well-deserved” and believes EA Sports made the right choice in recognizing the running back’s incredible debut season in Philadelphia.
“I think for the Philadelphia Eagles organization, it’s always a good thing when you have a representation of your organization and the success that you’ve had, especially leading into the next season,” McNabb said, emphasizing how significant it is for the franchise to have another player reach this level of recognition. The former Eagles quarterback noted that EA Sports would have made the right call with either Barkley or quarterback Jalen Hurts, especially after what they accomplished in winning a Super Bowl this past season.
While many fans worry about the so-called “Madden curse” — the superstition that players who appear on the game’s cover suffer injuries or poor performance the following season — McNabb isn’t buying into it. Despite undergoing season-ending surgery to repair a sports hernia during his own cover year, McNabb told TMZ Sports he doesn’t believe in the curse and thinks there’s proof it’s “a bunch of nonsense.”
“For Saquon, I think this is one [thing] he doesn’t have to focus on,” McNabb said. “I believe with that, and just continue to grind and get ready for a new season and hopefully the same outcome.”
Barkley becomes only the second Eagles player to appear on a Madden cover, joining McNabb in this exclusive club. When McNabb appeared on Madden NFL 06, he missed half of the season due to injuries and had a public feud with star receiver Terrell Owens — one of the more notable examples often cited when discussing the curse. However, recent history suggests the curse may be losing its power. Players like Tom Brady, Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, and Lamar Jackson have had strong seasons after appearing on Madden covers, with some even winning Super Bowls.
McNabb highlighted how Barkley’s recognition extends beyond just the Eagles organization. He pointed out that Barkley’s dominance will have an impact on all running backs, serving as a reminder of how important success at the position is to the passing game. The former quarterback also acknowledged that being the “Madden” guy puts players on another level of popularity, which also comes with more expectations.
For his part, Barkley has said he doesn’t believe in the Madden curse, stating “I’m a believer in God” and noting that he’s had injuries before without any curse being involved. His approach mirrors McNabb’s view that success comes from preparation and execution, not superstition.