On February 7th, 2010 the New Orleans Saints became the Super Bowl champions for the first time in franchise history.

The meteoric rise of the once struggling team generated a media flurry of epic proportions. It should come as no surprise, then, that Electronic Arts found a way to cash in on all the excitement. For the first time in franchise history not only will All-Star Quarterback Drew Brees be highlighted on the cover, but the rest of the World Champion Saints as well.

That’s right. All of them.

Ever since Eddie George graced the cover of Madden 2001, the role of cover athlete has been both a coveted and controversial title. It has been thought by many of being accompanied by a curse, or “Bad Mojo” as the people of New Orleans are calling it. Whether this curse exists or not has long been debated by fans of the series, but after today’s events, it’s going to be difficult to deny.

Only minutes after the concept art for the twenty-second Madden was revealed did relative unknown fourth-string guard Tim Duckworth begin complaining about an inner ear infection. Free Safety Darren Sharper injured his left knee accidentally kneeling down too quickly looking for the remote under his couch, and Outside Linebacker, Jo-Lonn Dunbar swatted a fly forcefully against his cheek dislocating his jaw. By the end of the weekend, twenty-three members of the Saints team had incurred minor fractures or dislocations.

Similar stories would become the theme for weeks to come.

Marques Colston sustained a concussion while horsing around by a pool. Drew Brees was found to have three cavities. Bobby McCray was called a “pig” during a blind date. While sky diving, Jabari Greer choked on his gum for a moment. Malcom Jenkins got some sand in his eye which reportedly “stung really bad.” Even the Redskins’ Laron Landry, who was in talks of being traded to the Saints came down with H1N1.

After hearing reports of his teammates’ injuries, Reggie Bush pleaded with coach Sean Payton to release him into free agency.

“Please, Coach. You got to get me out of this before it comes for me.” He said as he looked around the room wide-eyed, as if a bat was fluttering around. “And don’t you tell me it doesn’t exist. It exists!”

Coach Payton relented and released Reggie. However, amidst signing the paperwork officially ending Bush’s contract, Payton’s chair came apart leading him to falling awkwardly and break both thumbs. No contract could be signed for at least three months. Unfortunately, by then, Bush could be dead.

Backup Quarterback and noted hypochondriac Mark Brunell had the team doctor place him in a preventative full-body cast, considering he just planned to lay on the beach all off-season. However, plans went awry as Brunell was being carted by his wife and caregiver Stacy, when an estranged mistress approached them. The altercation that ensued left Stacy with a broken heart and left Mark without anyone to wheel him home. He remained unattended in the parking lot for three days.

Even Brittany Brees, wife of Drew Brees, who could be partially seen in the background of the photos chosen for the cover had her pocketbook stolen on her way to the store. Clearly, the curse affects even non-athletes.

As of the timing of this writing, all but three players are currently in critical condition.

Written by Hardcasual’s newest correspondent, Zane Gould.