When it comes to sports gaming covers, it's all about the stars athletes. Game publishers like EA and Sega want to sign the hottest up-and-comers for their latest releases and the athletes themselves eat it up. What better way to demonstrate your skills than to bust out the latest College Hoops or NFL game, complete with your face on the cover? As Jim Rome might say, that is "scoreboard."

　　Just because an athlete makes the cover of a big-name sports title, however, doesn't mean he will always benefit. Call it the Madden Curse, or just a case of crumbling under the weight of a higher profile. Cover status, while a blessing for most, can be a burden for others.

　　In our feature Grading the Class of 2004 Cover Athletes, we take a look at the stars of the major sports releases of the year, and give them a letter grade based on their previous year's performance compared to this, their cover boy year. Who passed and who failed? Who earned their cover stripes and who made themselves look a little silly. Take a peek inside for our answers, then let us know what you think!