



Long gone are the days in which professional athletes play Madden on television for the bemusement of their fans.

Insert groan.

No, now they're expanding outside of their sports fiefdom to the greater video game promotion realm. And ESPN2 is playing host.

On Thursday, Patriots Rob Gronkowski, Wes Welker and Donald Thomas will participate in the first ever Sportsnation "Halo 4" Bowl. It will be, dubiously named, Team Gronk versus Team Cruz (New York Giants Victor Cruz, Ramses Barden, and Terrell Thomas).

The show will air at 5 p.m. EDT on ESPN2. Halo 4 will hit the markets Nov. 6.