Less than 48 hours before one of the biggest nights of their young lives, 15 of the hottest college prospects helped kick off NFL Draft week in style Tuesday evening during the NCAA Football 13 Draft Night Premiere event at the Lavo nightclub in New York City.
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The guests of honor were Robert Griffin III and Barry Sanders, who will grace the cover of NCAA Football 13 together when the game hits store shelves July 10.
Surrounded by a number of players who are projected to be drafted in the Top 10, including wide receiver Justin Blackmon from Oklahoma State, quarterback Ryan Tannehill from Texas A&M and running back Trent Richardson of Alabama, the biggest guest of honor undoubtedly went to NCAA Football 13 cover athlete Robert Griffin III. Griffin is the 2011 Heisman Trophy winning quarterback from Baylor University who is all but assured to be selected No. 2 overall by the Washington Redskins on Thursday night.
But Griffin wasn’t the only Heisman winner in attendance. Former Oklahoma State All-American and 1988 Heisman Trophy winner Barry Sanders was also present, fresh off his NCAA Football 13 My Heisman voting campaign victory.
His reward for triumphing over the likes of Herschel Walker, Marcus Allen, and five other former Heisman winners in a three week, nationwide vote by the fans: an appearance on the game’s cover with RGIII.
“The cover vote was a blast from the moment it all started,” said Sanders. “I had to reach down a bit and channel my political instincts, and it gave me an opportunity to connect with the fans. And to be able to come out on top, and beat out guys that I truly admire, players like Herschel, Marcus, and [Doug] Flutie, was truly amazing.
Sanders continued: “To have won the Heisman, and then to be able connect with the most recent winner in this fashion nearly 25 years later, is truly a thrill. It’s an honor to join Griffin on the cover.”
While Sanders says it’s a privilege to appear on the cover with Griffin, RGIII respectfully disagrees.
“Since it was announced that Barry had won the cover vote, people have been coming up and telling me how cool it is that’s he’s on the cover with me,” Griffin said. “I don’t think that’s the case, really. It’s the other way around where I’m sharing the cover with him. He’s the legend here, so it’s truly an honor to be on the cover with one of the greatest players to ever play the game.”
NCAA Football 13 features 123 FBS schools and will deliver the passion and excitement of college football to fans across the nation with team specific run-outs, mascots, pre-game traditions and college style gameplay.
