Lions' Calvin Johnson Will Succeed Peyton Hillis On 'Madden' Cover
Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson has received either a high honor or a terrible curse, depending on how you look at it: Johnson will appear on the cover of Madden NFL 2013, according to NFL.com.
On one hand, it's a tremendous honor, as Johnson received the support of America's fans. In winning the popularity contest, he narrowly edged Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton, winning the election with 52 percent of the vote to Newton's 48.
On the other hand? He's opening himself up to the infamous "Madden curse" -- Garrison Hearst, Marshall Faulk, Donovan McNabb and Shaun Alexander are among the athletes who have suffered debilitating injuries shortly after appearing on the cover. Johnson will try to avoid that fate.
This is the second consecutive year that the cover-featured player has been chosen by fan vote -- last year, Peyton Hillis won the privelege of headlining Madden 2012.
