Posted by Sabrina B. @gametimegirl
Michael Vick has the chance this week to become the first NFL player to appear on the cover of the Madden video game franchise for the second time. And the Philadelphia Eagles quarterback said he’ll appreciate the honor more this time — if fans give him their vote.
Vick is one of two players — Cleveland Browns running back Peyton Hillis is the other — left from 32 possible choices to grace the cover of Madden NFL 12. Fans have been voting on ESPN.com since March 21 to select the cover athlete in an NCAA tournament-type process. The winner will be announced Wednesday during “SportsNation” (ESPN2, 4 p.m. ET).
“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.”
Hillis also is excited at his shot to be on the cover, his mother Carrie told the (Cleveland) Plain Dealer.
“We are all so thrilled about it,” Carrie Hillis told the newspaper last week. “He’s so grateful to the Cleveland fans. He’s a hometown hero, and everybody is so excited. And everybody’s been voting.”
Vick first appeared on the cover of Madden NFL 2004 when he was with the Atlanta Falcons and before his fall from grace.
He was voted Associated Press Comeback Player of the Year last season after missing two seasons while serving a prison sentence for his role in a dogfighting ring and playing sparingly in 2009.
Vick led the Eagles to a 10-6 record and the NFC East title after replacing an injured Kevin Kolb after Week 1. Despite missing three games with an injury, Vick had his best season. 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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