Cleveland Browns running back Peyton Hillis has been selected to grace the cover of the popular video game Madden 2012.
Hillis defeated Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick in the finals of a 32-player bracket for the cover that has been conducted by ESPN 2’s Sports Nation. Fans have been voting on ESPN.com since March 21 to select the cover athlete in an NCAA tournament-type process.
Hillis won the final vote by a 66-34 margin.
According EA Sports senior product manager Anthony Stevenson, more than 12 million people voted in the bracketed online tournament. Hillis was a No. 10 seed who knocked off No. 7 Ray Rice (62 to 38 percent), No. 2 Matt Ryan (51 to 49 percent), No. 6 Jamaal Charles (60 to 40 percent) and most surprisingly, Super Bowl MVP and No. 1 Aaron Rodgers (61 to 39 percent).
Hillis is a surprise winner of the first-ever fan vote. The University of Arkansas running back garnered a huge following from both his college faithful and loyal Browns fan.
He had a breakout season in 2010 rushing for 1,177 yards and 11 TDs on 270 rushing attempts.
Vick reached the finals as a number three seed by defeating DeMarcus Ware of the Dallas Cowboys, Andre Johnson of the Houston Texans, Patrick Willis of the San Francisco 49ers, and Adrian Peterson of the Minnesota Vikings.
Vick was looking to become the first player to ever grace the cover of the video game for the second time. He was on the cover of Madden 2004 as a member of the Atlanta Falcons.
“The first time, I really wasn’t too big on having the opportunity,” Vick said in an interview with the Philadelphia Inquirer. “I appreciated it, but this time around I think I will appreciate it so much more. I took a lot for granted early in my career. It was a great opportunity at the time, but now it will be so much more satisfying. To show it to my kids and say I was able to accomplish.”
In 2004, when Vick was on the game’s cover, he broke a leg and missed 12 games.
PETA and independent animal rights activists have been critical of Vick’s inclusion on the bracket for the Madden Cover.
EA Sports President Peter Moore responded to critics by saying, “We believe that Michael Vick, as the runner-up in MVP for the league and the comeback player of the year, deserved his slot. I personally believe, and this is personal commentary right now, that Michael served his time. He’s had a tremendous season.”
Vick was voted the AP Comeback Player of the Year last season after leading the Eagles to a 10-6 record and NFC East title. He set career highs in yards passing (3,018), touchdowns passing (21), touchdowns rushing (9), completion percentage (62.6) and passer rating (100.2).
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