Think the Madden Curse is just an urban legend? Evidence suggests the contrary. Prior to 2000 John Madden appeared on the box without any players. Perhaps the curse has also affected Madden himself, as since the game has come out the 70-year-old broadcaster has not played in a single NFL game:

2000 — Barry Sanders and Dorsey Levens — Sanders was enjoying one of the greatest careers an NFL running back has ever had when he became the first player ever featured on a Madden box. A week before training camp, Sanders abruptly retired after just 10 seasons in the league. Levens was featured on less prominent boxes, and after being the star running back on Green Bay’s Super Bowl teams, saw his career deteriorate to the point that Green Bay cut him in 2001, and he was last seen as a third string running back for the Giants before retiring in 2004.

2001 — Eddie George — After appearing on the box, George, once one of the NFL’s premier backs, saw his career spiral to the point that he was replaced by virtual unknown Chris Brown. The Titans were perennial AFC favorites and have now become conference cellar dwellers.

2002 — Daunte Culpepper — He threw for less than 1,300 yards, missed four games with an injury and the Vikings, who had been in the NFC championship game the year before, fell to 5-11, their worst record in 15 years.

2003 — Marshall Faulk — Once one of the most dominating backs in the NFL, Faulk wallowed through an injury-plagued season and never cracked 1,000 yards again during his career.

2004 — Mike Vick — He missed the first 11 games of the season with a broken leg. The Falcons went 5-11.

2005 — Ray Lewis — Lewis, the most feared defender in the NFL, failed to register an interception for the first time in his career. Ray Ray also was injured in the last game of the season, and had his following season cut short when he was injured in week six.

2006 — Donovan McNabb — Season-ending hernia surgery, not Terrell Owens Syndrome as originally reported, ended McNabb’s 2005 campaign. The Eagles, who had played in the Super Bowl the season before, fell to 6-10 and missed the playoffs for the first time since 1999.

2007 — Shaun Alexander — The curse continues. ESPN reports that Alexander is out indefinitely with a broken foot.