The annual process of selecting a cover boy for the latest version of the Madden video game gets more and more elaborate each year.

From fan polling to a 32 team NCAA tournament-style bracket to television campaigns, the folks at EA Sports have done their best to drag the process out as long as possible.

On Wednesday Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson narrowly edged Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton and was awarded the “Madden NFL 13” cover on national television.

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