Remember that gnawing feeling in your gut after a dropped third-down pass? Or the superstitious tap on your Eagles helmet replica before kickoff? Philly fans know drama.
They live it, breathe it, dissect it over roast pork sandwiches at Reading Terminal. Right now, a fresh wave of that familiar tension is swirling. It involves a superstar running back and a decades-old video game ghost story. The whispers are getting louder.
Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley electrified Lincoln Financial Field last season. His hurdles became instant classics, etched into highlight reels. Now, that same explosive energy lands him a massive honor.
Yet, alongside the cheers, a low murmur persists. It’s an old NFL campfire tale, one that makes even tough Philly fans glance over their shoulders. Enter a familiar face, a man who’s worn the jersey and faced the music.
Former Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb isn't having any of the worry. The Eagles legend, who graced the Madden NFL 06 cover himself, delivered a powerful message to TMZ Sports this week. McNabb declared Saquon Barkley landing the Madden NFL 26 cover "absolutely well-deserved." He shut down the infamous "curse" talk cold.
He sees only upside for Philly, calling it "always a good thing" for the organization to have such recognition, especially after their Super Bowl win. McNabb even suggested Jalen Hurts would have been a worthy choice, too. Clearly, Barkley earned this spotlight. Meanwhile, McNabb knows the pressure firsthand.
He called the Madden cover an honor that puts players on a pedestal. Naturally, that brings heightened expectations, his own 2006 season was cut short by a sports hernia, fueling speculation about a curse. Yet, McNabb dismisses it as "a bunch of nonsense."
He points to recent history. Think Tom Brady, Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, and Lamar Jackson—all had stellar seasons after their covers, some winning rings. And the curse narrative is fading faster than a cheap screen pass. Besides, McNabb offered direct advice for Barkley: tune out the noise.
"For Saquon, I think this is one [thing] he doesn't have to focus on. I believe with that, and just continue to grind and get ready for a new season and hopefully the same outcome."
This future Hall of Famer’s message is pure Philly grit: work hard, ignore superstition. McNabb, who recently stirred debate comparing painful franchise decisions, knows tough calls linger longer than curses. Focus on the grind, not ghosts. And Barkley seems wired exactly that way.
Barkley’s Belief Beyond the Curse Chatter
The star running back echoed McNabb’s sentiment on NFL Network. Asked about the curse, Barkley was unequivocal.
"Nah, I'm a believer in God."
He referenced past injuries, like his torn ACL or ankle sprains.
"There was no curse then."
His mindset is practical and powerful.
"That's just how life works. You're gonna have your ups and downs... work, do what I need to do, and the rest is in God's hands."
Barkley brings faith and focus, not fear. Meanwhile, McNabb sees bigger implications.
He emphasized that Barkley’s recognition underscores the critical, yet often underrated, value of elite running backs. Barkley's presence forces defenses to respect the ground attack, opening lanes for Hurts and the receivers. Barkley isn't just a weapon; he's an offensive catalyst.
Read more:C.J. Gardner-Johnson's latest Eagles tirade target won't fly with fans
So, breathe easy, Eagles Nation. McNabb, a man who’s felt the weight of the Madden cover and the Philly spotlight, stands firmly behind your star runner. He dismisses the curse as a myth.
Barkley himself meets it with faith and hard work. The focus now shifts to the field, to the grind McNabb preached.
As the great Jimmy Dugan once barked in A League of Their Own, "There's no crying in baseball!" And in Philadelphia? There’s no room for curses when a Lombardi Trophy is the goal. Barkley is ready to run.