Lost in the hope and hype of the NFL extravaganza known as the Draft, monolith video game production company EA Sports followed through on its promise to reveal the 2009 cover model of the upcoming Madden 10 video game.

Recently retired legendary football analyst and hall of fame coach John Madden once again lends his name and likeness to the ultra popular video game series, and while celebrating his farewell to television color commentary, he also celebrates a historical first in Madden gaming.

As previously rumored (and reported here), Madden 10 will be the first game in franchise history to co-feature two different NFL players on its cover.  The star studded duo will consist of a pair of high profile Super Bowl team representatives, as Arizona Cardinals’ stand-out Wide Receiver Larry Fitzgerald and Pittsburgh Steelers’ all-star Safety Troy Polamalu share the honor.

The divying up of cover duties between offensive and defensive presences marks a continuing trend of EA Sports to balance both sides of the ball within the game to create a more realistic NFL gaming experience.

Another interesting development regarding the potential cursed Madden cover role is the fact that young stud Minnesota Vikings’ Running Back Adrian Peterson reportedly turned down the initial offer to appear on the Madden 10 cover.  Whether this decision was motivated by monitary considerations or superstitious ones hasn’t been revealed however.

With the Madden 10 cover model gig now officially offered, accepted, and announced though, all Fitzgerald and Polamalu owners can do now is hold their collective breaths and hope that life doesn’t continue to imitate art and the Madden Cover curse doesn’t continue to claim victims.