Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley has been named the cover athlete for Madden NFL 26, and Eagles legend Donovan McNabb couldn’t be more thrilled. The iconic quarterback, who graced the cover of Madden NFL 06, praised Barkley’s selection as “absolutely well-deserved” and dismissed the long-standing “Madden curse” superstition as “a bunch of nonsense.”
Barkley’s selection highlights his stellar debut season with the Eagles, punctuated by his jaw-dropping reverse hurdle against Jacksonville, which will be immortalized on the game’s cover. McNabb, speaking to TMZ Sports, emphasized the significance of this honor for both Barkley and the 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. He noted that either Barkley or quarterback Jalen Hurts, fresh off a Super Bowl victory, would have been a fitting choice for the cover.
The so-called Madden curse, a superstition suggesting that cover athletes face injuries or subpar seasons, has haunted fans’ minds for years. McNabb himself is often cited as an example, having suffered a season-ending sports hernia in 2005, the year he appeared on the Madden cover, amidst a public feud with teammate Terrell Owens. Yet, McNabb remains skeptical of the curse’s validity. “For Saquon, I think this is one thing he doesn’t have to focus on,” he said, urging Barkley to “continue to grind and get ready for a new season and hopefully the same outcome.”
Recent history supports McNabb’s stance. Cover athletes like Tom Brady, Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, and Lamar Jackson have defied the curse, delivering standout performances and even Super Bowl wins. Barkley, the second Eagles player to appear on a Madden cover after McNabb, also shrugs off the superstition. “I’m a believer in God,” Barkley said, noting that his past injuries had no connection to any curse. His focus remains on preparation and performance, echoing McNabb’s advice.
McNabb also highlighted the broader impact of Barkley’s achievement. He believes Barkley’s dominance will shine a spotlight on the running back position, underscoring its critical role in supporting the passing game. Being the Madden cover athlete elevates a player’s popularity but also brings heightened expectations, McNabb noted, and Barkley is ready to meet them.
With McNabb’s endorsement and Barkley’s fearless attitude, Eagles fans can rest easy. The Madden curse is nothing more than a myth, and Barkley is poised to prove it with another electrifying season.