The Madden Curse—which causes whatever NFL star is featured on the popular game's cover to suffer a horrible injury or a disappointing season the next year—is something that many NFL fans believe in fully. But if it happens this time around, that would be kind of weird.

That's because retired Detroit Lions running back Barry Sanders, rather than an active player, will grace the cover of the 25th anniversary edition of the game. Sanders beat out Adrian Peterson of the Minnesota Vikings for the cover in a fan vote held by the game's maker, EA Sports. Chances that Sanders will have a down year next season are unlikely, though we suppose it is possible he could tear an Achilles or something shoveling snow.

Past covers have included Cleveland Browns running back Peyton Hillis, former Titans quarterback Vince Young, former Seahawks running back Shawn Alexander and former Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb.

Perhaps fans were just trying to save Adrian Peterson from certain doom.

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