【Japan】

Tom Brady's 2017/2018 season is Japandoomed, and New England Patriots have EA Sports to thank for that.

The infuriatingly talented quarterback -- full disclosure: I am a Giants fan, and therefore hate the Pats -- has been chosen as the featured athlete on the cover of Madden NFL 2018. Remarkably, this is Brady's first Maddencover, despite the fact that he's the proud owner of fiveSuper Bowl rings.

Some see the distinction as a dubious honor, thanks to the so-called "Madden Curse." Every game in the series since Madden NFL 1999has featured one of the league's stars on its cover and, more often than not, those featured players go on to struggle in the subsequent season, which usually starts right after Madden's annual release.

For example, Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski was the Madden NFL 17cover star. While he won a Super Bowl ring just like the rest of his team at the end of the season, he only participated in eight games during the regular season -- and missed the entire post-season -- due to injuries.

The Curse has lost some of its mystique in recent years as various cover stars did what you'd expect a superior talent to do: excel. The 2013, 2015, and 2016 editions of the game featured Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson, Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman, and Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham, Jr., respectively; all three delivered career performances.

Brady expressed confidence that the Curse will pass him over as well in a statement released in conjunction with the announcement.

"I'm not one to believe in curses, so I'm ready to take the challenge head on like always! It doesn't stand a chance!!!"

Whatever, Tom. We'll see.

If you're looking for details regarding what's new in this year's edition of Madden, you'll have to wait just a little bit longer. EA Sports plans to reveal more at its E3-adjacent EA Play event, in June.