Curt Cignetti gets an EA Sports game cover. And maybe a curse.

Hoosier haters may have finally found the one thing capable of stopping IU football coach Curt Cignetti's dominance — a video game curse.

Context: Cignetti landed the starring role in a new EA Sports College Football 27 trailer that dropped last week, and will take center stage on the game's deluxe edition cover when it releases on July 9.

• The accomplishments acknowledge his success on the field, and his staying power as a megastar merch-mover.

Yes, but: Gracing the cover of an EA Sports title isn't always good news for fans. In fact, many hope their faves don't get the nod because of the dreaded "Madden curse."

• The curse's origins date back to Garrison Hearst breaking his ankle in the playoffs after landing the international cover of EA's Madden 99.
• The myth built momentum when Barry Sanders retired early after the release of Madden 2000; Daunte Culpepper suffered a season-ending injury after Madden 2002; and Michael Vick missed 11 games the season after Madden 2004.

Stunning stat: According to The Sporting News, 16 of the 28 NFL players who have appeared on the cover of Madden since 1999 suffered injuries.

The latest: Bears fans hopeful the team would stay in Chicago were reminded of the curse when the team approved a move to Hammond just days after QB Caleb Williams got the Madden 27 cover.

• It extends to other EA sports games, too. Like their NHL and UFC titles.

What we're watching: How Cignetti manages to shrug off the bad gamer mojo like Pat Mahomes and keep winning in Bloomington. Google him.