The Madden NFL franchise holds a special place in popular culture and the cover is a coveted position for players all over the league. I'm honored to be the first cover athlete chosen by Madden NFL fans and it's a great way to cap off an amazing year for the Saints and the city of New Orleans.

Under pressure, would I fold and disappear, or would I show everyone that when bad things happen, you fight?

I can't get through the gate. The gate is narrow.

I needed New Orleans so badly back in 2006, just somebody to believe in me, somebody to care about me

I expect to make big plays. And when I don't, I'm upset about it.

And at the time, it is funny how you can look at something and say, for example with my shoulder injury, when it first happened I said this is the worst thing that could happen to me. Why me, why now? Now I look back and say it was probably the best thing that happened to me

The only team that believed in me was the Saints, and I feel like I owe them a great debt of gratitude. I want to give them what they saw in me-a guy who could lead this team to a championship.