Lions’ Receiver Calvin Johnson Voted As New Madden Cover Boy
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Leon Halip/Getty Images(NEW YORK) — Even though Detroit fans may not be leaping for joy, Lions Pro Bowl wide receiver Calvin Johnson was voted to grace the cover of “Madden NFL 2013” after beating out Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton.
Johnson edged out Newton after garnering 52 percent of the more than 651,000 votes that were cast. The entire competition drew almost 20 million total votes. Fans voted in a NCAA bracket type format where different NFL players would face off against each other, with fans deciding who would advance to the next round.
Of course though, you can’t mention Madden without the “Madden Curse.” Over the years, there have been numerous players who have been voted onto the cover who went onto suffer poor seasons, major injuries, or the respective player’s team misses the playoffs.
“Man, it’s great,” Johnson said when asked about making the cover. “Just to see yourself on this Madden (cover) and seeing all the guys that have been on Madden? C’mon, man.”
This past season, Johnson helped lead the Lions to their first playoff appearance since 1999. He caught 96 passes for 1,681 yards while also scoring 16 touchdowns.
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