The Madden 17 video game cover will feature New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski in all his spiking glory. The rough-and-tumble Gronkowski, known as much for his partying ways off the field as his touchdown-making ways on it, received word Thursday evening when it was announced on ESPN's "SportsCenter" show. Gronkowski, 27, becomes the first Patriots player as well as first tight end to make the cover. The popular video game, which debuted in 1988, featured legendary Raiders Coach John Madden on the cover until 2001, when Tennessee Titans running back Eddie George appeared on it. Among the players to appear on the cover were New York Giants receiver Odell Beckham Jr. last year, retired Detroit Lions running back Barry Sanders in 2014, Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre in 2009 and Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis in 2004.