Believers in the “Madden Curse” had more evidence in 2011. Reversing course from numerous denials, Madden 12 cover athlete Peyton Hillis now thinks he’s been cursed.

Madden NFL cover athletes including Michael Vick and Shaun Alexander have gotten injured the year they appeared on the game. These injuries have given rise to the “Madden Curse,” a superstition that claims the cover athlete will suffer physical harm or career misfortune. A believer in the curse will cite the number of high profile athletes who have suffered an injury while on the cover. The skeptic will counter that football is a game full of injuries, and that these are coincidences.

NFL players may start a petition for Drew Brees to appear on the cover of Madden NFL every year. The Madden Curse superstition suggests that something horrible will happen to a player appearing on the game’s cover. Athletes including Brett Favre and Michael Vick have suffered serious injuries the year they appeared on Madden covers.

Perhaps EA has been inspired by the successful game-to-film translations of Resident Evil, Prince of Persia and – I think those are the only ones. The Wrap reports that EA is working on – no fooling – a Madden Curse-based movie.

Madden NFL 11 recently made headlines for not including long snappers. At the rate mishaps are befalling NFL superstars who appear on the Madden cover, EA Sports may be asking a long snapper to help promote the game next year.

It’s almost impossible to play any position in the NFL and not get banged up, especially quarterback. Drew Brees is on the cover of Madden NFL 11, so any injury he suffers is going to undergo even more scrutiny. ESPN’s Ed Werder reported that Brees has a minor MCL sprain in his right knee and will need to wear a brace for the rest of the season.

New Orleans Saints superstar and Madden 11 cover athlete Drew Brees has already made it longer than Troy Polamalu did. At 2-1, the New Orleans Saints have so far dodged any Madden Curse or Super Bowl hangover.

You will forgive New Orleans Saints fans if they are extremely concerned about today’s announcement that star quarterback Drew Brees will grace the cover of Madden NFL 2011.

True, it is an honor to be asked to represent the league in this fashion. However, the athlete on the cover of the world’s bestselling football game often falls victim to one of pro sports’ most consistent cover jinxes.

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?