The votes are in: NFL Hall of Famer Barry Sanders will be on the cover of Madden.
Sanders earned 58 percent of the national voting to win the honor of appearing on Madden 2014, edging out runner-up Adrian Peterson of the Minnesota Vikings.
Barry Sanders was selected as the third overall pick of 1989 NFL draft by the Detroit Lions. The shifty, undersized 5-foot-8 running back became known for his elusiveness and quick moves.
He totaled 15,269 rushing yards, averaged 5.0 yards per carry and scored 99 touchdowns. The 10-time Pro Bowler, in 1997, won the prestigious NFL Most Valuable Player award. He retired in 1998 after ten seasons with the Lions.
"I am shocked, excited, humbled, elated. I am also proud to be the Madden 25 over athlete," Sanders tweeted.
Adrian Peterson, the 2012 Most Valuable Player, might have actually won by avoiding the "Madden Curse". Sports Illustrated made a slideshow that examines the seasons players have after appearing on the Madden cover. Here are a few:
Michael Vick appeared on the Madden 04 cover. Soon after the game was released, Vick broke his leg in a preseason game and missed the first 11 games of the season.
Donavan McNabb led the Philadelphia Eagles to a Super Bowl in 2004, but after appearing on the Madden 06 cover, he endured an injury-plagued season and played in only nine games.
Shaun Alexander made it onto the Madden '07 cover after recording 28 touchdowns and making it to the Super Bowl in 2005. When the game came out in 2006, he ended up fracturing his foot and recording only seven touchdowns in the 10 games he played.
Troy Polamalu had a career-season in 2008 and anchored the Pittsburgh Steelers defense, ultimately winning the Super Bowl that year. The next season, after going on the Madden 10 cover, the safety suffered an injury in Week 1 and went on to play in just four more games that season.
Peyton Hillis burst onto the scene in 2010 with 1,177 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns. He graced the Madden 12 cover and ended up rushing for only 717 total yards after missing five games. He has since faded into obscurity.
Minnesota fans might breathe a sigh of relief that it's going to be Sanders on the cover.
