Photo Credit: Stephen Dunn/Getty Images
The long and exhausting wait is finally over. The cover of Madden 2017 has been revealed and the choice is surprising the sports world, to say the least. It was announced earlier today that New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski will grace the cover of the new game, making him the first tight end to grace the cover along with being the first Patriot to receive the honor.
Rob Gronkowski will grace the cover of Madden 17. #LIVEonSC pic.twitter.com/stljpsiLZi
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) May 12, 2016
Gronk seemed more than thrilled about the news, “My rookie year [in 2010], it was just an honor to be in the game, just using yourself as a player, throwing yourself the ball every single time you can at home, just playing the game…Now it’s a dream come true, going into my seventh season and being on the cover. When I first found out, I was blessed. It was a surreal moment.”
He came in second place last year for the cover honors, beaten only by Odell Beckham Jr. Gronkowski also doesn’t believe that he’ll get the “Madden Curse”, “I feel like everything is going to go smoothly.” Gronk told Sportscenter, who unveiled the cover today.
The internet, on the other hand, was less than impressed with the choice of Gronkowski. Some are arguing that the cover should be given to Peyton Manning due to his retirement and the impact that he left on the game. The only problem with that is Manning didn’t really blow anyone away this past season. Â He missed a majority of the season due to injury and relied heavily on his defense to win games, including Super Bowl 50.
Gronk was also revealed to be the cover model for GQ Magazine. Â The Pro Bowl tight end is hoisting model Hailey Clauson on his shoulders. Â Madden 2017 will be available to own on August 23rd.
