Vick, Hillis battling for Madden Cover honors

Michael Vick vs. Peyton Hillis.

This Wednesday during “SportsNation” (ESPN2, 4pm), either the Philadephia Eagles QB or the Cleveland Browns RB will be honored with the EA Sports Madden Cover.

For Vick, it could mean the first NFL player to appear on the cover of the Madden video game franchise for the second time. Vick first appeared on the cover of Madden NFL 2004 when he was with the Atlanta Falcons.

Fans have been voting on ESPN.com since March 21 to select the cover athlete.

“The first time, I really wasn’t too big on having the opportunity,” Vick said. “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.”

As for the clean cut Hillis, his mother Carrie told the (Cleveland) Plain Dealer, “We are all so thrilled about it. He’s so grateful to the Cleveland fans. He’s a hometown hero, and everybody is so excited. And everybody’s been voting.”