CLEVELAND – Cleveland fans can now get their hands on the latest edition of the Madden video game franchise, featuring Browns running back Peyton Hillis.
The Cleveland running back earned the cover boy honors after winning the fan vote, which was the first time fans ever selected the cover star.
“I was never a very big video guy, but it’s kind of cool,” Hillis said after practice Monday. “I’ve been very blessed. I’m kind of speechless at times. I’m grateful, but it’s time to move on.”
The fan vote was set up in a bracket, putting NFL stars in head-to-head matchups. In his path to the cover, Hillis was voted over Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers, Baltimore running back Ray Rice, Kansas City running back Jamaal Charles, Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan and Philadelphia quarterback Michael Vick.
He is the first Browns player to ever grace the cover.
“That’s our boy,” safety Mike Adams said. “For him to get up there on the cover is great for all of us.”
Hillis handed out advance copies of the game to his teammates earlier this week, and fans lined up outside of local video game stores at midnight on Tuesday to get their hands on a copy of the game. The cover features Hillis with the Cleveland skyline in the background.
The one concern with having Hillis front and center is the infamous “Madden Curse,” where players struggle in the year following their cover appearance. The list of players who have fallen victim to the curse include Vince Young, Shaun Alexander and Michael Vick.
The curse, however, has never worried Hillis.
“I’m a guy who is going to go out there and do his best, and I’m a guy who has always gone out there and proved people wrong,” Hillis said. “I’m not worried about it and I’ve never been worried about a curse. I’m just going to go out and do my best.”
