Yes but you are typically interested in the subject manner of those games, no? I choose FPS games with a theme or subject I'm interested in and I'll play Mario Kart because of the Mario theme and mayhem from items whereas I wont' touch any other racer.
I can understand playing a game purely on fun game play, however which is what you're suggesting. I can get on board with that but at the same time, it's hard to get into when I don't know much about the sport or teams and aren't interested in learning them. You do need the game play to be fun to enjoy the game, but it goes a LONG way when you're interested in the subject matter of the game.
I'm curious though, what do you find so awful with Madden? I understand being annoyed that each rendition changes little beyond rosters, but what keeps the game from being fun to you?