Madden cover’s final four

Rob Gronkowski’s dream of being on the Madden football video game cover has been dashed. The New England Patriots all-pro tight end lost to Detroit Lions all-pro receiver Calvin Johnson in a bracketstyle competition linked to fan voting for Madden NFL 13.

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton and San Francisco 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis will compete for a spot in the final while Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers squares off with Johnson. Votes can be cast at ESPN.com, with the winner announced April 25.