Steelers’ Antonio Brown is Madden NFL 19’s cover star

Antonio Brown, the three-time All-Pro wide receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers, will star on the cover of Madden NFL 19 when the 26th edition of the franchise launches Aug. 10.

Brown is the second Steeler to grace the cover of Madden NFL since the franchise began its tradition of cover stars 19 years ago. Defensive back Troy Polamalu shared the cover of Madden NFL 10 with the Arizona Cardinals’ Larry Fitzgerald.

Brown was earlier revealed to be a 99-rated player in the upcoming Madden NFL 19, perhaps telegraphing him as the cover star. Five of the past six cover stars have been 99-rated in the game at launch.

“I am beyond honored to be on the cover of both Madden games,” Brown said in a statement released by EA Sports, referring to Madden NFL 19 and the mobile game Madden NFL Overdrive. “There’s a lot of milestones athletes dream of, and after being inducted into the Madden 99 Club earlier this year, and now appearing on the cover of this year’s games, it’s clear that business is not just booming, but I’m also among the all-time greatest with these honors.”

EA Tiburon/Electronic Arts

Brown is a six-time Pro Bowl selection and has led the NFL in receptions and receiving yards twice. He was a sixth-round pick in the 2010 NFL Draft, which also makes him a fitting selection for Madden NFL. Last year’s Longshot story mode gave fans the first chapter of a player struggling to be taken late in the draft; Madden NFL 19 will bring the second act, with heroes Devin Wade and Colt Cruise now playing in the league.

Terrell Owens, the Hall of Fame wide receiver, was revealed back in May as the cover star of Madden NFL 19’s “Hall of Fame” special edition. He will be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, on Aug. 4 (but, true to his iconoclastic persona, won’t attend the ceremony).

EA Sports’ announcement also touted the reboot of the franchise’s mobile edition; it’s now Madden NFL Overdrive, and EA Sports says it will completely remake the existing Madden NFL Football mobile game on iOS and Android on Aug. 15. Madden NFL 19 launches Aug. 10 on PlayStation 4, Xbox One and, for the first time in 11 years, Windows PC.