Madden 2012 Cover Finalists: Why Michael Vick Deserves to Win

Four candidates remain in the hunt to become the next cover boy for the popular Madden '12 game: Aaron Rodgers, Peyton Hillis, Michael Vick, and Adrian Peterson. 

Here's why Vick is the man who deserves the cover more than any of them.

First, it could be good for business. By selecting Vick, EA Sports could be seen as a company that embodies forgiveness and redemption. Former football hero turns bad, then redeems himself by making the most of a second chance. Stuff like that.

Look, Vick is a polarizing, but popular, player. Like Notre Dame and the New York Yankees, there really isn't a lot of middle ground with a guy like Vick.

People either love him or hate him. Either he's a dog killing villain, or he's paid his dues and deserves a chance at redemption. Very few people sway from one extreme or the other in their personal views of the man.

Second, he is one of the best players in the game. Sure, it was only one season, but he actually seems better at throwing the football than he was before his prison sentence.

Vick was always a gifted runner but was never regarded as a pure pocket passer. That has all changed now. Perhaps spending all that time tossing footballs into tight places on the prison yard helped his accuracy?  

As such, shouldn't one of the best players in the game and indeed a guy who overcame adversity, albeit of his own doing, be a valuable marketing chip to sell products?

Ah, but I've saved the best for last, as my third reason is truly the best one: The Madden Curse!

Yep, what athlete is more deserving of misfortune that Mr. Vick? Yes, he paid his dues, and even former prisoners deserve a chance to earn a living.

But being allowed to reclaim his past fortune and fame seems oddly contradictory to the idea of establishing consequences for ones actions.

In less than one calendar year, Vick re-established his market value, and then some. He is once again the golden boy of the NFL in some young people's eyes, as his undeniable athletic prowess trumps his notorious past.  

In fact, the more I think about this, the more I like the thought of Vick being cursed.

Perhaps he won't be quite as accurate as last year or his receivers mysteriously drop balls like crazy.

Heck, maybe he goes back to jail.

Now, I'm not suggesting something as evil as Mark Buehrle.

But sometimes payback is a bitch.