Rob Gronkowski cover star of Madden NFL 17 and New England Patriots tight end says he'd love to play Bill Belichick at EA game

Rob Gronkowski can't imagine Bill Belichick using Madden NFL 17 to facilitate team meetings at Foxborough, but he hopes to one day play the revered coach at the video game.
The 26-year-old man-child is the latest star to grace the cover of EA Sports' annual blockbuster, with an image of his trademark spike showcasing the new instalment.
Gronkowski is one of the NFL's more engaging personalities.
Not only is he widely considered the greatest-ever tight end, but his puppy-like joie de vivre are sure to bring a smirk to the most cantankerous of faces. 
 Rob Gronkowski becomes the first Patriot - and tight end - to grace the Madden video game series cover
 Rob Gronkowski becomes the first Patriot - and tight end - to grace the Madden video game series cover
Gronkowski, pictured alongside Bill Belichick (left), said that he would love to play Madden with him 
Gronkowski, pictured alongside Bill Belichick (left), said that he would love to play Madden with him 
Asked if he could ever imagine playing Madden with Belichick, he replied: 'I could definitely see that! At a charity event or something. We could auction off coach Belichick and I and the game of Madden 17. I could definitely see that and I could see that being a good time.'
But he was unequivocal about the six-time Super Bowl winning coach using the game in team meetings.
'Huh-huh, no. I can't imagine that. Definitely wouldn't be an option. He's real film. Heh-heh,' he said.
On the day he shared his first GQ cover with supermodel Hailey Clauson , Gronk revealed his delight at becoming the first Patriots player - and tight end - to be the Madden cover star with some trademark superlatives.
'I am super-appreciative. And super-pumped and super-thrilled that my touchdown spike is on the cover. I am one of the first NFL players to have their celebration on the cover, so super-amped about that. And it's going to be awesome, man.'
'They hooked me up with high numbers last year and they won't go down with me on the cover now.'

Gronkowski revealed some sage advice for anyone playing as the Patriots.
'Definitely just throw the ball up,' he told Sportsmail.
'You've got Tom Brady as the quarterback so definitely use him. With the way that he is at quarterback I'm pretty sure the game is going to find ways to make completions.
'With myself being on the cover, with [Julian] Edelman out at receiver, I definitely think you need to throw, and throw it deep with Brady.'
Affectionately known as Gronk, the former Arizona Wildcats star revealed his modus operandi when playing Madden, which was first released in 1989.
'I just throw the ball up in the air. I don't really try to play real football when I play the game. I just try to make it super-exciting. Go big every single time. I mean, any time you've just got to make sure you know how to play the game and you can beat people at it.'
'Having Brady on the Madden game is just unfair. The way he throws the ball. Having Brady is an unfair advantage having him. So whenever you pay the game, play the Patriots, man!'
Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (right) congratulates team-mate Gronkowski on a touchdown 
Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (right) congratulates team-mate Gronkowski on a touchdown 
Gronkowski shared his first GQ cover shoot with supermodel Hailey Clauson 
Gronkowski shared his first GQ cover shoot with supermodel Hailey Clauson 
When questioned on who would win in a game of Madden between him and Brady, Gronkowski replied: 'I would say myself. I feel like that he's not that big a video gamer.'
Brady is a father-of-three who is married to Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bundchen, and his recent release of a $200 cookbook raised eyebrows.
But it seems that Gronk appears to have simpler culinary tastes. 'I would have as much avocado ice cream as I could have', he said, thoughtfully, when asked what he would include in his own diet book.
The Patriots have won four of the previous 15 Super Bowls and the free agency addition of fellow tight end Martellus Bennett should see their offense continue firing on all cylinders.
'He's an excellent dude. An excellent player and so far an excellent team-mate, man. I couldn't be any more happier to be teamed up with him and we're just learning together right now and we're just super-excited for the season,' Gronk said. 
 Gronkowski won Super Bowl XLIX with the Patriots, scoring the third touchdown of the game
 Gronkowski won Super Bowl XLIX with the Patriots, scoring the third touchdown of the game
Gronkowski had 72 receptions last season for 1,176 yards and 11 touchdowns
Gronkowski had 72 receptions last season for 1,176 yards and 11 touchdowns
Asked if the Pats have the NFL's top tight end duo, Gronk added: 'Heh-heh. Ahhh… On the video game, yes, for sure. I would say so.'
And he also thinks current team-mate Edelman is worthy of a higher Madden ranking than Danny Amendola or former team-mate Wes Welker.
'All three of them are great players but the versatility of Edelman just puts him over the edge a little bit. He played defense before, he plays offense and he's a special teamer.' 
Rob Gronkowski appears on the cover of Madden NFL 17, which will be available August 23 on the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.