The Madden video game series has been one of the greatest sports games in history. It has always pushed the envelope and given the fans what they wanted in ever new installment. One of the traditions in the Madden franchise is picking the athlete who will grace the cover of the newest Madden game. They have held tournaments, asked fans to vote, and have done many other things to choose the cover athlete. This year they kept it simple and made the decision to put Tom Brady on the cover of Madden 18. Brady goes along with the G.O.A.T Edition pre-order theme, as he is probably the greatest to ever play.

The obvious choice

EA and Madden didn't have to think too hard to make this decision, as Brady was the perfect choice for the cover athlete. Brady had a phenomenal year in 2016, throwing for 3,554 yards and 28 touchdowns in just 12 games last season. He was suspended the first four games because of the Deflategate scandal, but didn't let that affect him, showing that he is the greatest by coming in and helping his team clinch the one-seed in the AFC. He was even better in the playoffs, leading them to Super Bowl LI. He showed his G.O.A.T status once again, bringing the Pats back from a 25-point deficit to win the game in OT. This was Brady's fifth championship, solidifying his place as one of the best ever.

Brady will be the oldest Madden cover athlete in the game's history, as he is currently 39, but will be 40 when the game reaches store shelves. This is the second consecutive Patriots player to be on the Madden cover, as his tight end Rob Gronkowski was on the cover of Madden 17. Brady has had a lot of achievements throughout his career and now he can add being a Madden cover athlete to that list.

The Madden curse

Being the cover athlete for Madden is an honor many players would love to have. But with that comes the famous Madden curse. The curse is: the season after you are a cover athlete, you underperform due to injury, or just a string of bad luck. Rob Gronkowski seems like he caught the curse, only playing in eight games last season while battling a number of injuries.

Many other Madden athletes were hit by the curse as well. Former Browns running back Peyton Hillis fell off the face of the earth after being chosen as the Madden 12 cover athlete. Michael Vick is the most memorable, being arrested for dog fighting after gracing the cover of Madden 2004. The curse is real, as many other players fell victim to the Madden curse, but will Brady follow in their footsteps?

Brady has been relatively clean outside of a few scandals here and there so he shouldn't have anything to worry about. Injuries do happen and they aren't scripted, but Brady makes sure his body is ready to take the punishment even at age 39.

Madden is set to release on August 25, 2017. Players can pre-order the game now and take advantage of the bonus content they will receive when the game officially rolls out.

Tom Brady is ready to prove that the curse is only a myth, as he is set to make a run for his sixth Super Bowl ring.
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