It wasn't exactly a well-kept secret (we reported on the rumor yesterday), but now it's officially official: Superstar football man Brett Favre will be gracing the cover of Madden '09.

Madden '09 marks the 20th anniversary(!) of the popular football series, Favre's inclusion is the first time a retired player will be on the cover.

“Madden NFL Football and Brett Favre are sports icons who have set the standard and revolutionized their positions within their respective genres,” said Madden NFL Executive Producer Dale Jackson. “Brett Favre is a perfect fit for the Madden NFL 09 cover, as he epitomizes everything the franchise has stood for the past 20 years - longevity, excellence, and a love of football.”

The game will come out on every system known to man before Christmas. Later this morning, we'll have a gallery of three screenshots and a retrospective video to enjoy, so check back!

There's a picture of the 360 cover under the cut.