Stunner: Tim Tebow loses Madden 13 vote to Arian Foster - USA TODAY (blog)

Normally, we wouldn't get too worked up about the fan voting for who will be the cover photo athlete for Madden NFL 13. After all, it's just a popularity contest.

But here's the deal. Tim Tebow just got knock out in the early going. And by Houston's Arian Foster.

Who'd have thought that?

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Or perhaps Tebow's legion of followers sat this one out, given that some believe the cover honor is accompanied by a career-threatening curse.

More than 8.5 million votes have been cast since March 21, according to an e-mail from EA Sports.

Round 2 voting is now open at ESPN.com, and the winner will be unveiled April 25.

Besides Foster, among the top names still in the running are Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees, Cam Newton and Calvin Johnson.