Bodog.com Releases McNabb Odds

Bodog.com released odds today on whether Donovan McNabb will fall victim to the Madden cover curse during the 2005-06 NFL season, and miss consecutive games because of injury.

Each year, Electronic Arts selects a promising, well-known player to be featured on the cover of its football video game. It was announced earlier this year that Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb would be the official face of Madden NFL '06.

"To be chosen as the cover boy for this incredibly popular video game is an honor that the star quarterback is certain to embrace," said Calvin Ayre, Founder and CEO of Bodog.com. "Gracing the video game cover is said to bring three things: mass-media exposure, hefty endorsement checks and the Madden curse."

Some observers have blamed the Madden curse Ayre refers to for sidelining the seasons of past Madden video game cover men. Minnesota Vikings quarterback Daunte Culpepper succumbed to a knee injury during the 2001 season following the video game's release. Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick suffered a broken ankle during the 2003 preseason not long after appearing on the cover.

"Last year was the exception, as Baltimore Ravens star linebacker Ray Lewis appears to have escaped injury and avoided the curse. Let's hope for McNabb's sake, the curse is behind us," Ayre said.

Will the curse return? Bodog's bookmakers are suggesting even odds.