What the Duck?

Arian Foster campaigns for the Madden cover as Texans tempt yet another curseamid free agent woes

As if the offseason hasn't been bad enough for those Super Bowl-scheming Houston Texans, here comes another land mine. Arian Foster is campaigning for the 2013 Madden cover.

The Texans' best player — the one thing they've gotten right this offseason — is tempting the Madden Curse.

Any even halfway serious football or video game fan knows that the player who ends up on the cover of John Madden's wildly popular game either gets hurt, loses his ability to play or falls off the face of the earth. And often, it's a combination of all three. Heck, the Madden Curse once forced Barry Sanders — the best running back in the history of football — to retire at age 30.

If anyone could buck the curse, it's Foster. But are the Texans really in a position to take a chance?

Now, Foster is too good to forget how to flummox linebackers and spin defensive backs' heads around. And his campaign is typical, understated Foster brilliance. Just watch Foster's duck video (above) and try not to laugh.

From the new $43 million man turning to the giant stuffed animal duck on his bed and listening intently as the duck doesn't say a word (prompting Foster's "I couldn't have said it better myself") to his deadpanned, "If you're not voting for me, who the duck are you voting for?", the tailback continues to show why he's a star in any setting, on any stage. It's hard not to root for this self-described "Houstonian" to get his Madden due.

If anyone could buck the curse, it's Foster. But are the Texans really in a position to take a chance?

Now, I'm not one of those writers who is going to pretend that losing surplus tight end Joel Dreessen is some big blow, but being down two fifths of your offensive line, a premiere (though not dominant) pass rusher and a captain is not exactly a rousing start to the Super Bowl campaign. Now Foster takes on Madden.

The silver lining for Texans fans? Foster is somehow matched up against the blessed force of Tim Tebow in the first round of fan voting in the 32-man bracket despite being a No. 3 seed. Still, Foster is going all out, appearing on an ESPN chat to promote his campaign, coming up with the duck video.

You can vote for Foster here — if you dare.

hockey news

NHL taps Houston billionaire to launch new Texas hockey franchise

Houston Aeros

Photo by Morris Molina

Houston has been without a pro hockey team since the Aeros folded.

Hockey fans in either Houston or Austin may have a new opportunity to root for the home team. The NHL has committed to adding a 33rd team in the Lone Star State, according to multiple media reports.

As part of those plans, the NHL has reached an agreement with Pursuit Sports, an arm of the Houston-based Friedkin family. Per the agreement, the NHL has granted The Friedkin Family, led by Houston billionaire Dan Friedkin, the exclusive rights to own the future franchise. Pursuit Sports, the family’s company that owns three European soccer franchises, will evaluate both Houston and Austin as potential homes for the team.

The family issued the following statement about the NHL’s decision. It reads in part:

Each city brings unique attributes that would make a new team a huge success — both have the infrastructure, passionate fan bases, and economic strength needed to support a championship-caliber franchise for years to come.

We have wanted for some time to bring an NHL team to Texas, and we are excited that the process has now begun. Selecting a new market for an NHL franchise is a special and important responsibility, and we are grateful to the league for their faith in us and their support. Working with Commissioner Bettman and the NHL, we will undertake a principled, disciplined, and methodical process to ensure we find the right long-term home for this new franchise.

Houston has been without a professional hockey team since the Houston Aeros folded in 2013.

With a net worth of $11.4 billion, Dan Friedkin ranks No. 279 on the 2026 edition of the Forbes World’s Billionaires List. That’s good for Houston’s third richest resident, behind only Kinder Morgan chairman Richard Kinder (No. 232, $13 billion) and Landry’s owner Tilman Fertitta (No. 268, $11.7 billion).

His wealth primarily stems from his ownership of Gulf States Toyota, which has the exclusive rights to sell Toyota vehicles in Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Oklahoma. The company sold more than $13 billion worth of Toyotas in 2025 alone, Forbes reports.

The Friedkin family launched Pursuit Sports last summer. It currently owns three European soccer clubs — A.S. Roma (Italian Serie A), A.S. Cannes (French Championnat National 2), and Everton F.C. (English Premier League).

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