As one of the longest running and most successful sports video game franchises,Madden NFLalso has a lengthy list of cover athletes. Named after thelegendary NFL coach and broadcaster, John Madden, Madden himself was the cover star for every version prior to 2000. After that,Madden NFLwent the way of other sports franchises and adopted new cover stars on each edition.
WhileMaddenhas plenty of issues with both gameplay and new game modes, its yearly sales record is undeniable. Fans undoubtedly would like to see improvements, but the star power and fame of the game and its cover stars have propelled the franchise forward regardless. From lesser-known players who won fan votes to NFL legends,Maddenhas had a fair number of cover stars throughout the years.
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Cover Stars of the 2000s
Eddie George became the first non-John Madden individual to be featured on the cover withMadden NFL 2001. This was also the first version to really start to offer customization options to play football in different ways. The following year featured Minnesota Vikings quarterback Daunte Culpepper, who was coming off a couple of electric seasons. The game was also alaunch title for the original Xbox and Nintendo’s Gamecube.
Madden NFL 2003featured Marshall Faulk, the star running back for a St. Louis Rams squad that was dubbed “The Greatest Show on Turf,” making him the perfect cover athlete.Maddenfollowed Faulk with themost unstoppable player in sports gaming history: 2004 Michael Vick. His game-changing speed made Vick impossible to tackle and placed this version of Vick in the memories of sports gamers forever. With the overpowered offense ofMadden 2004, the next version made a conscious shift to focus on the defensive side of the ball. Selecting powerful linebacker Ray Lewis was perfect for that edition that also introduced the fan-favorite Hit Stick to levy huge hits and force fumbles.
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb was chosen for the cover ofMadden NFL 06, with the game launching alongside the newly minted Xbox 360. This version also introduced Superstar mode, the single-player mode that let gamers create and control their own NFL player throughout their NFL career. Seattle Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander was the chosen player the following year, ushering in the first editions for the PS3 and Wii.
While his NFL career wasn’t as successful as he hoped, former Heisman Trophy winner and Titans quarterback Vince Young was always a fan favorite.Maddentook advantage of his best NFL season by giving him theMadden 08cover spot.Madden 09changed courses by giving the cover to all-time great quarterback Brett Favre who was actually retired at the time of the announcement. However, Between the game’s announcement and launch, Favre un-retired and was traded to the New York Jets.
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Cover Stars of the 2010s
Maddenstarted the decade with a new concept: two athletes featured on the cover. Following their epic Super Bowl clash, safety Troy Polamalu of the Pittsburgh Steelers and receive Larry Fitzgerald of the Arizona Cardinals were featured on the cover ofMadden 10together. The franchise went back to the basics the following year with MVP and Super Bowl winner Drew Brees on the cover.
For the cover ofMadden NFL 12, the franchise hosted a fan vote to select who would be on the cover, leading to a surprise result.Cleveland Browns running back Peyton Hillisdid not have a particularly notable career, but won the fan vote that year as the result of a solid previous season and the Browns rabid fan base.Maddenhad another fan vote the next year which was won by Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson, a much more deserving selection as one of the best receivers in NFL history.
In honor of the franchise’s 25th edition,2014’s version was aptly titledMadden NFL 25, bucking the usual trend of including the year name in the title. Adrian Peterson was on the PS4 version, while Hall-of-Famer Barry Sanders was on the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions.Madden 15followed up with Seattle Seahawks All-Pro Richard Sherman. In another fan vote the following year, phenom Odell Beckham Jr. earned the cover ofMadden 16.
The franchise then went with back-to-back players from the New England Patriots for the next two editions.Madden 17featured tight end Rob Gronkowski, known for his touchdown scoring acumen and celebrations. 2018’s edition featured Tom Brady for the first time in his career after leading the Patriots on the biggest Super Bowl comeback victory in NFL history. The decade was rounded out by Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown; a player who was very productive on the field, and very controversial off of it.
Cover Stars of the 2020s
Madden NFL 20featured Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, already one of the most accomplished players in the league very early into his career. A fitting way to start the new decade. After being the youngest player in NFL history to win league MVP, Lamar Jackson earned the cover on next year’s edition,Madden 21.
For the first time in over a decade,Madden 22featuredtwo players on the cover: Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes. This marked the second time both had appeared on the cover, albeit at different points in their careers. Brady had just won the Super Bowl with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and was winding down his career, while Mahomes was just coming into his prime and shattering records.
Finally, in honor of the franchise’s late titular coach and broadcaster, John Madden was brought back for the cover of the latest edition,Madden NFL 23. The cover also features a handwritten “Thanks, Coach” which honors Madden’s life and legacy.
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