Madden NFL '12: Peyton Hillis Defeats Michael Vick for Video Game Cover

After over 12 million fans voted on SportsNation's Madden '12 Cover Vote, Cleveland Browns running back Peyton Hillis has been named this year's cover athlete for the popular video game franchise, edging out Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick in the finals.

Hillis, a seventh-round draft pick in 2008, came from nowhere last season to become an instant fan favorite. His grit, determination and toughness propelled him to over 1,100 yards rushing and 11 touchdowns after receiving just 13 carries in 2009 with the Denver Broncos.

He was pitted against Vick, who became a star once again on the football field in 2010 after serving a prison sentence for running a dogfighting ring in Atlanta when he was with the Falcons.

Putting his past behind him, Vick won the 2010 NFL Comeback Player of the Year award, leading the Eagles to the NFC East title and the playoffs in the process.

But it was ultimately Hillis who won in a blowout, garnering a shocking 66 percent of votes in the finals.

Based on Vick's play on the field and his popularity as the Madden cover athlete in 2004, he figured to have the upper hand in the voting, but you can't help but wonder if his transgressions in the past were a big factor in Hillis coming away with the honor. Hillis has had zero character issues since entering the league three years ago.

Also, Hillis was never expected to be a star in the league until his performance in 2010, and is similar to New England Patriots running back Danny Woodhead in that he was an unknown, an underdog, that everyone rooted for.

There's reason perhaps why Vick may be happy with the final vote.

There's that "Madden Curse," a phenomenon that has people divided on whether it's real or imagined. Most athletes have seen their careers free fall the season after receiving the honor.

In 2004, Vick fractured his right fibula in the preseason while on the cover, missing 11 games. We all know what happened after that.

Hillis joins Eddie George, Marshall Faulk and Shaun Alexander as the only running backs to be featured on Madden.

When George was cover athlete in 2001, he had the worst season of his career with 939 rushing yards and five touchdowns (still not bad).

From 2003 on, Faulk saw his production drop every year until his retirement in 2006.

And after signing a eight-year contract with the Seattle Seahawks and being dubbed the Madden cover athlete in 2007, Alexander fractured his big toe and missed six games.

Then again, luck has never been on Hillis's side. He's had to beat the odds his entire career.