New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski is one of four players to score a 99 rating in this year’s installment of the popular Madden football video game. Gronkowski, entering his seventh season in the NFL, will also be featured on the cover of Madden NFL 17.
The 6-foot-6, 285-pound Arizona product is one of three players since the merger with 65 receiving touchdowns in his first six seasons, joining Jerry Rice and former Patriot Randy Moss.
Carolina linebacker Luke Kuechly, a Boston College product, Von Miller of the Denver Broncos and Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt will also be related 99 in Madden NFL 17, which will be released Aug. 23.
Gronkowski, who will also have an 88 strength and 85 agility ratings, is the first Patriot to be featured on the cover of the game. Kuechly’s college number, 40, is being retired by Boston College this season. It’s Watt’s fourth straight year with a 99 rating. Von Miller, an outside linebacker, is the reigning Super Bowl MVP.