Football fans have known for a while that Arizona wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald has near superhuman athletic ability. But this season he may have proved himself stronger than one of sports’ most infamous curses. Fitzgerald shares the Madden NFL 10 cover with Pittsburgh cornerback Troy Polamalu, who got injured in the first game of the season. Polamalu has battled injury all season and the Pittsburgh defense has gotten so bad they lost to the lowly Cleveland Browns

Fitzgerald suffered an injury in a national TV loss to the 49ers that saw his leg bend in a very awkward fashion. But it turns out he suffered only a sprained ligament and a bone contusion. Fitz played against the Detroit Lions Sunday (December 20, 2009) and appeared to suffer no ill effects. He has 1,027 yards and 11 touchdowns, so it has been a very good 2009 season so far.

This is the first time Electronic Arts’ popular Madden series of football games has had two athletes share the cover. Does that mean both Larry Fitzgerald and Troy Polamalu are doomed ? The Pittsburgh Steelers defensive standout has already gotten shelved.

Will Fitz get spared since the Madden cover has already claimed one athlete? Or will it take two NFL superstars to satiate the curse’s eternal hunger?