Brees on cover of 'Madden NFL 11'

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NEW YORK -- Drew Brees has another prize to put next to his Super Bowl MVP trophy: He's the cover model for this year's edition of the "Madden NFL" video game.

Madden curse?

Is there a "Madden curse" for the player on the cover? You decide based on the facts if Drew Brees is in danger:

Year	Cover	Impact
2010	Troy Polamalu/Larry Fitzgerald	Polamalu missed all but 5 games (knee); Fitzgerald was Pro Bowler
2009	Brett Favre	Feuded with Packers, traded to Jets, lost 4 of last 5
2008	Vince Young	Missed one game (quad)
2007	Shaun Alexander	Missed 6 games (fractured foot); fewer yards and TDs in '06 and '07 than in '04 or '05
2006	Donovan McNabb	Sports hernia in first game; missed 7 games
2005	Ray Lewis	Broken wrist, missed game; missed 10 games in '06 (thigh)
2004	Michael Vick	Fractured fibula 1 day after game was released, missed 11 games; off-field issues since
2003	Marshall Faulk	Ankle injury, missed 2 games; never rushed for 1,000 yards again
2002	Daunte Culpepper	4-7 record before season-ending injury
2001	Eddie George	Fumbled in playoffs as top-seeded Titans lost first game
2000	Barry Sanders	Retired one week before training camp

EA Sports announced Thursday that the New Orleans Saints quarterback would be featured on the front of "Madden NFL 11," the latest installment of the best-selling football franchise.

Brees, who led his team to a 31-17 victory over the Indianapolis Colts in this year's Super Bowl, said landing the cover of "Madden" was "a great way to cap off an amazing year."

The "Madden" gig is one of the most coveted honors in sports -- even though it has been connected to a much-discussed curse. Such superstars as Donovan McNabb, Michael Vick and Shaun Alexander suffered serious injuries during the season each appeared on the cover.

Brees said he isn't worried.

"I believe in fate, and if it's meant to be, it's meant to be," he said. "But destiny is stronger than any curse, and this team is destined for great things."

Brees joined the Saints in 2006, less than a year after New Orleans was devastated by Hurricane Katrina.

He has become a highly visible spokesman for the city's reconstruction, while the resurgent Saints gave its beleaguered residents something to rally around.

Brees said he hopes the presence of the Saints' fleur-de-lis logo on the "Madden" cover "keeps people focused on what happened to New Orleans, and what the people of this city have overcome."

The Saints quarterback was chosen by fans who voted online to determine the game's cover athlete. The other choices were Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Reggie Wayne and Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jared Allen.

Brees told the (New Orleans) Times-Picayune that he was honored to be the first player voted to appear on the cover.

"Obviously the fans are the most important part of our game. We're representing them," Brees told the newspaper. "And that takes on additional meaning with the city of New Orleans."

While he is New York for the unveiling of a large billboard of the "Madden NFL 11" cover in Times Square, Brees will also tape appearances on "Live with Regis and Kelly" and the "Late Show" with David Letterman.

"Madden NFL 11" will be released by EA Sports on Aug. 10.

Brees told the newspaper that representatives of EA Sports will travel to New Orleans for the launch party, which will take place on Bourbon Street and be called "Madden Gras."

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

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