Barry Sanders Reigns Supeme

Hall of Fame running back Barry Sanders beat out reigning NFL MVP Adrian Peterson of the Minnesota Vikings to land the coveted cover of "Madden NFL 25." it couldn't have come down to two better football players or men. It may have been a while since Barry Sanders has showed us one of his mesmerizing touchdown runs, but his fans surely haven't forgotten his greatness.

More than 700,000 votes were cast on the final matchup with Sanders receiving 58 percent of the vote. There were 40 million votes tallied throughout the entire competition.

This year marks the 25th edition of the popular video game. It was a celebration of legends and current players. And after all was said and done, Adrian Peterson showed the class of a champion in defeat. "Congrats to my guy Barry Sanders for winning the 2013 Madden Cover! Any other guy to take me down... it would've been a problem! Salute," Peterson wrote on Twitter.

Sanders, 44, spent his entire 10-year career with the Lions, rushing for 15,269 yards and 99 touchdowns before stunningly walking away after the 1998 season. Sanders beat the likes of Ray Lewis and Hall of Famers Joe Montana and Jerry Rice on his way to the cover.

If you ask me, this was the perfect pick and the only pick to represent what has become such a prestigious honor over the years. Barry Sanders career was cut short by his choice to retire at a young age and it was too soon for many of us fans who wished and wanted to see more of his greatness on the field. But now we get a chance with Madden 2013 to see Sanders run again against the best of his time and the best of todays pro football players.

Congratulations Barry, with so many great football players, you stand alone on top. It couldn't have happened to a better football player or even more than that, a better man. Enjoy this victory in style, you deserve it.