Bills’ Josh Allen lands ‘Madden NFL 24’ cover: ‘So surreal’
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen has been named the cover athlete for “Madden NFL 24,” the latest in a long line of video game covers that represents a true honor among football players. Allen, who grew up playing the game, called the announcement “surreal” and “humbling.”
“It’s so surreal. Madden has such a special place in my heart,” he told ESPN.
Allen’s impressive statistics on the field last season earned him the recognition. He threw for 4,283 yards and 35 touchdowns, leading the Bills to a 13-3 record. Despite their success, the Bills were unable to reach the Super Bowl, falling to the Bengals in the AFC Divisional Round.
For Allen, being featured on “Madden” represents the latest milestone in his football career. “To think about where I was not too long ago and coming out of high school with zero offers, going to junior college and have one offer, University of Wyoming of all places, and then fast-forward to now,” he said.
Allen joins a long list of quarterbacks who have graced the cover of the popular football video game franchise, including Tom Brady, Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, and Drew Brees.
Allen’s ultimate goal is to join the elite “99 Club,” composed of players with a rating of 99 out of 100. Mahomes achieved that feat in 2022. Last season, Allen finished with an overall rating of 96 and was rated 93 at the end of the year.
While some fans may be concerned about the infamous “Madden curse,” which has plagued some past cover athletes, recent years have seen little impact from the curse. Brady won league MVP and led the Patriots to a Super Bowl as the 2018 cover boy, while Mahomes missed just two games with a minor injury while leading the Chiefs to a title in 2020.
FAQs:
What is the “Madden” franchise?
“Madden” is a popular video game franchise that simulates football games and seasons. It allows players to control their favorite teams and players, and compete against others online.
What is the “Madden curse”?
The “Madden curse” is a superstition that suggests that players who appear on the cover of the video game franchise will suffer from injuries or other setbacks during the following season. While there have been some notable examples in the past, recent years have seen little impact from the curse.
Who else has been featured on the “Madden” cover?
Many football legends, including Tom Brady, Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, and Drew Brees, have been featured on the cover of “Madden” over the years.
Josh Allen of the Bills is the cover athlete for ‘Madden NFL 24’: ‘It feels surreal’
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen has been named the cover athlete for “Madden NFL 24,” according to an announcement by EA on Wednesday. Considered a special honor by NFL players, Allen said it was “surreal,” and that the game held a special place in his heart as he grew up playing it. Known for his video game-like moves on the field, Allen had another successful season last year, throwing for 4,283 yards, 35 touchdowns, and leading the Bills to a 13-3 record, though they ultimately lost in the AFC Divisional Round. Now joining elite athletes like Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes, who each previously made the cover, Allen hopes to join the “99 Club” of players with a 99/100 rating. While some may worry about the “Madden” curse, which has seen past cover athletes underperform or become injured, recent years have seen little impact from the trend – a relief for Bills fans.