Detroit Lion Calvin Johnson is Feeling the Pinch of the Madden Curse

Athletes are a superstitious lot. Many have little routines or things that are a must on game day, but have nothing to do with playing. At the same time they will all tell you they don't believe in good or bad luck or silly little things like curses.

If that is so, how do they explain the Madden Curse?

For years the cover boy of the latest edition of the popular Madden football game has been one of the most exciting players of the previous year; someone that is expected to do just as well in the next. However, that has often not been the case.

So far it looks like this year's cover boy, Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson—otherwise known as Megatron-- is falling victim to the Curse.

This past Sunday's performance against the Seattle Seahawks is a perfect example of how his season has gone. He didn't have a single reception till the second half, and even then he only finished the game with three for 46 yards. Once again he was kept out of the end zone.

In all fairness, he was covered by one of the best young defensive backs in the game, Richard Sherman. Earlier in the week he had changed his name on Twitter to Optimus Prime, the arch-enemy of Megatron from the popular movie series (who also happens to be the good guy).

As if Sherman's talent was not enough, he received a little bit of encouragement from the Optimus Prime (actor Peter Cullen, the voice of Optimus Prime in the Transformer movies; courtesy of LA Times writer Sam Farmer) who left him a message:

"Richard, this is Optimus Prime," Cullen's deep voice rumbled in the message. "When you see Megatron, you must tell him… 'One shall stand, one shall fall.' Wish you the best. Roll out!"

That doesn't explain some of the other weeks that he has had this season like the 5 catches for 54 yards against Minnesota (Week 4) or the 3 catch/34 yard day against Chicago (Week 7). Yards haven't really been a problem though; it's been the end zone. He has only one TD through seven games; last season he had 10 at that point.

The season is still pretty young, and Megatron could still prove the Curse wrong with a strong showing in the next nine games. As of yet there doesn't appear to be any more Autobots on the schedule so that should help his case.

Then again, after watching what Optimus Prime was able to do I wouldn't be surprised to see Ratchet, Sideswipe, or even Bumblebee on rosters in the near future.