No Huddle

Is GQ Cursed?* 

(*=For NFL Quarterbacks only)

It seems there's a new epidemic amongst the NFL's top quarterbacks. 

It's supposedly taken down such legends as New England Patriots QB Tom Brady, upstarts like the Carolina Panthers' Cameron Newton and the New York Jets' two headed monster of Mark Sanchez and Tim Tebow. 

All these quarterbacks seem to have one thing in common: good looks and being GQ cover models.

Let's rewind to Feb. 6, 2005 as confetti rained down in Alltel Stadium in Jacksonville, FL. The New England Patriots had just won Super Bowl XXXIX against the Philadelphia Eagles. As everyone was all smiles, wide receiver Deion Branch was named the Super Bowl's MVP. However, the unsung hero for the Patriots was a young Brady who had just won his third championship in four years... a feat so great that well, combined with his handsome looks, garnered him another honor later that year: the cover of GQ Magazine. 

Tom Brady, Photo Credit: GQ

Ever since 2006, Brady's Patriots have not won a Super Bowl. They did the reach the Super Bowl twice since then (2008, 2012) but have lost to the New York Giants both times.

Forget the Madden curse, or even the Sports Illustrated curse.

Is this really the work of the GQ curse? 

Just look at Mark Sanchez's career. 

Mark Sanchez, Photo Credit: GQ

The rookie quarterback for the Jets elevated the team's play in 2009 and 2010. He performed so well that of course, GQ had to snag him for its September 2011 cover. Ever since then, the Jets have been slowly fading from the national spotlight.

Enter his potential successor: God Tim Tebow.

Tim Tebow, Photo Credit: GQ

Tebow's GQ cover this year, combined with his steady popularity amongst fans, led many to believe his presence in New York would bring great success to the franchise. However, the Jets have started the season (2-2).  But, don't let that number fool you. This Jets team is definitely not the same as the team that almost reached the Super Bowl two years back. Not even Tebow, who has been relegated to bench duty, has helped this team.

And then there's Cameron Newton.

Cameron Newton, Photo Credit: GQ

Following a debut season (2011) where he completed 60 percent of his passes and led the Panthers to six wins opposed to two wins the team had in 2010, Cam was expected to have a breakout in his sophomore year in the league.

But you see, he too had graced the coveted cover of Gentlemen's Quarterly this year.

Thus, the Panthers starting off (1-4) this year and getting blown out by the New York Giants (36-7) on the nation's biggest stage in Week 3. 

But do we actually believe all four highly touted quarterbacks' reverse in play was due to being on the cover of GQ? Probably not. It's probably due to the increasing parity in the NFL and the fact that all these QBs do not have the supporting cast they once had. 

While I'm sure not every other handsome NFL quarterback (see Troy Aikman) floundered after being featured on the cover, it is still strangely coincidental that all four quarterbacks have struggled early on this season.

The GQ curse though? I give it one unimpressed McKayla.