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.

The gaming industry’s most prolific superstition didn’t take long to reach center stage in the 2009 NFL season.

Athletes who have graced the cover of Electronic Arts’ best selling Madden NFL 10 football simulation have traditionally fallen on some hard times.

Pittsburgh cornerback Troy Polamalu, famous for his big plays and long flowing hair, is one of the Madden NFL 10 cover athletes. He sprained his MCL (Medial Collateral ligament) in the league’s season opening game, putting the Madden Curse on display for a nationwide audience. The injury could keep Polamalu out of the lineup for as long as six weeks.