Rob Gronkowski a Madden NFL 16 cover and curse candidate

At this time the past two years, most NFL observers were wondering if Rob Gronkowski would ever again be able to make it through a full NFL season without an injury. Those fears subsided a tad in 2014, as Gronkowski played in 15 regular season games (only being held out for the season finale against Buffalo as a precaution) and three postseason games as the Pats went on to win the Super Bowl.

But the Gronk injury fears are sure to come up again if No. 87 is designated the cover boy for Madden NFL 16 the video game.

ESPN.comreportedMonday that Gronkowski is one of four candidates to be on the cover of the popular football game. While that may have some Patriots fans excited, many others know of a supposed “Madden curse,” in which Madden cover boys are hit by injury and/or other issues in real life soon after being the marquee Madden man.

Players like Marshall Faulk, Michael Vick, Donovan McNabb, Shaun Alexander and Troy Polamalu were injured significantly shortly after appearing on the cover and players like Vince Young and Peyton Hillis saw their respective careers tank after landing on the Madden cover.

Seattle cornerback Richard Sherman appeared on the 2014 cover and played in all 16 regular season games for the Seahawks before injuring his arm in the NFC Championship game.

Giants receiver Odell Beckham Jr, Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson and Steelers receiver Antonio Brown are the three other candidates being considered for the cover this year.