‘Madden 12’ cover: Vick loses to Peyton Hillis

Michael Vick this afternoon lost the chance to become the first football player to grace the coveted Madden NFL video game cover twice. (Vick previously appeared on the cover of “Madden 04.”) NFL players have appeared on the cover of the popular football series since 2000, but this was the first year the choice was put up to the public: Cleveland Browns running back Peyton Hillis won the cover of “Madden 12” after 13 million votes poured in from fans across the country.

Vick would have also helped the Eagles franchise tie the Tennessee Titans as league leaders with two players (Donovan McNabb was featured on the cover of Madden 06.)

Here’s the full list over the franchise’s 21 years:

1990-2000
All Madden all the time

2001
Finally, players: Titans RB Eddie George

2002
Vikings QB Daunte Culpepper

2003
Rams RB Marshall Faulk

2004
Vick’s first cover, during his stint as Falcons QB

2005
Ravens LB Ray Lewis

2006
Eagles QB Donovan McNabb

2007
Seahawks RB Shaun Alexander

2008
Titans QB Vince Young

2009
Packers QB Brett Favre

2010
Steelers FS Troy Polamalu and Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald

2011
Saints QB Drew Brees

2012
Browns RB Peyton Hillis