On Thursday afternoon, New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski was announced as the newest NFL star to grace the cover of “MADDEN NFL 17” in a special on ESPN’s SportsCenter. For the first time since 2009, the decision was not based upon a fan vote. In 2015, Gronkowski finished second to New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. and it was speculated Gronkowski only lost because Patriots fans feared the urban legend of the “Madden Curse” which is said to be bestowed on the cover athlete during the season of his selection.
Gronkowski didn’t appear to be phased by the curse, telling ESPN, “It’s definitely reversed itself from back in the day,” Gronkowski said. “You have to look at the players that were on it recently. You have Odell, who had an unbelievable year last year. You have Richard Sherman, who went to the Pro Bowl the year he was on it. Calvin Johnson, who broke the receiving record when he was on the cover.”
In fifteen games in 2015, Gronkowski caught 72 passes for 1,176 yards and 11 touchdowns. Gronkowski is the first ever Patriot to be on the cover of a Madden video game.
Madden 17′ is scheduled to be released August 23, 2016.
A honor to be on the cover! I’M THE NEW #MADDEN17 COVER ATHLETE!!! Thanks @easportsinsider! #GRONKCOVER pic.twitter.com/z5M3IqxYmt
— Rob Gronkowski (@RobGronkowski) May 12, 2016
Not going to lie. The #Madden17 trailer w/@RobGronkowski is lit… https://t.co/itVKpTf2K3
— Only In Boston (@OnlyInBOS) May 13, 2016
The Denver Broncos, whom defeated the Patriots in this past seasons AFC Championship game, appeared to question the pick of Gronkowski via Twitter, who scored the final minute touchdown during the teams comeback attempt that cameup a two point conversaion short.
https://twitter.com/broncos/status/730881776181084160
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