The Madden football video game cover for 2013 has come down to an NFC North battle between two of the most dynamic running backs in NFL history.
In the "old school" versus "new school" voting, Minnesota Vikings MVP running back Adrian Peterson will go against Detroit Lions Hall of Famer Barry Sanders for the right to don the cover of the upcoming latest edition of the video game, Madden NFL 25, the 25th year of the famous franchise.
Peterson won the "new school" bracket of the voting by beating Houston Texans running back Arian Foster in the semifinals. Sanders made it through the "old school" bracket by beating San Francisco 49ers receiver Jerry Rice.
Voting is being done online on ESPN's Sports Nation through April 24. Peterson had beaten Philadelphia Eagles running back LeSean McCoy, New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski and Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III to reach the semifinals.
Sanders was one of the first athletes to be featured on the cover, appearing with John Madden, the franchise's namesake, on Madden NFL 2000. Peterson would be making his first appearance on the cover. Former Vikings quarterback Daunte Culpepper graced the cover of Madden NFL 2002.
Of course, the Madden cover has long been considered a jinx, befalling the likes of Culpepper, Michael Vick, Ray Lewis, Donovan McNabb and Shaun Alexander.
Last year, though, Detroit receiver Calvin Johnson won the voting and was on the cover. Though his touchdown production declined, he set a single-season record with 1,964 receiving yards.
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