Madden 25 cover athlete: Why Christian McCaffrey was chosen by EA Sports for 2024 video game

For the first time since 2013, a running back is gracing the cover of Madden.

Christian McCaffrey was named the cover athlete for Madden NFL 25, making him the first running back since Barry Sanders and Adrian Peterson were the cover athletes of the 2013 game, also titled Madden NFL 25.

EA Sports teased his involvement a few days ago, dropping a video that featured the 49ers star delivering a stirring rendition of the video game company's classic tag line, "EA Sports, it's in the game."

The Stage is Set.

Cover Reveal | 6.11.24#Madden25 pic.twitter.com/kthhXOAfaz

— Madden NFL 24 (@EAMaddenNFL) June 7, 2024

Now, he readies for his close-up, joining the likes of Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, and Josh Allen as next-generation standouts to feature on the outside of one of video game's longest-serving brands, Madden curse be damned.

Here's what you need to know about how EA Sports came to its selection.

Madden 25 cover athlete

On Tuesday, EA Sports announced that 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey will be gracing the cover of Madden 25.

McCaffrey becomes the sixth running back in the cover's history to receive such an acknowledgment, following Eddie George (Madden NFL 2001), Marshall Faulk (Madden NFL 2003), Shaun Alexander (Madden NFL 07), Peyton Hillis (Madden NFL 12) and the split cover of Sanders and Peterson for the 25th anniversary of the game (Madden NFL 25, in 2013).

It's easy to see why McCaffrey was so hotly coveted for the task. After all, he's one of the sport's biggest names, racking up 2,023 all-purpose yards and 21 touchdowns for the 49ers en route to being named AP Offensive Player of the Year and helping lead the 49ers to the Super Bowl.

McCaffrey was asked about the "Madden curse" that comes with landing on the cover of the video game. The 49ers running back said that he doesn't believe in curses and he isn't worried about the trend. 

No, Christian McCaffrey doesn't believe in curses.

The Madden NFL 25 cover star explained why on The Insiders. pic.twitter.com/3RbY1NLJkn

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) June 12, 2024

Madden covers by year

Below is a list of each Madden cover athlete since 2000. The only players to appear on multiple Madden covers during that span are Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes.

MORE: Look back at every Madden cover since 2000

MORE: Why Madden video game is named after John Madden

Madden 25 trailer

EA Sports has not yet released the official trailer for Madden 25.