John Madden was announced as the face of Madden NFL 23 on Wednesday, a worthy tribute to the game’s namesake, who passed away late last year.
It’s the first time Madden has been on the cover since Madden NFL 2000.
Normally, an active NFL player graces the cover of the game. And you can look back through history to see that, most of the time, it’s a star player in the prime of his career who is remembered fondly for their impact on the game.
And then there’s Peyton Hillis.
34 years of @EAMaddenNFL.
Which cover is your favorite? pic.twitter.com/HShhv3NLdk
— NFL (@NFL) June 1, 2022
Hillis was a solid running back and fullback who played in the NFL between 2008 and 2014, bouncing between four teams, as fullbacks are wont to do. In 2010, he had his best season in the league, garnering 1,177 rushing yards, 477 receiving yards, and 13 total touchdowns for the Cleveland Browns. He became something of a fan favorite.
So much so that Hillis, who was the Browns finalist for the Madden NFL 12 cover voting contest, upset Ray Rice, Matt Ryan, and Aaron Rodgers to make it to the finals where he beat out Michael Vick to become the cover athlete for EA Sports’ Madden NFL 12 video game.
Unfortunately for him, Hillis was never able to repeat his success beforehand he became yet another “victim” of the Madden Curse, not to mention that his appearance on the cover of the game has come to be remembered as more of a joke.
That was what many people around the NFL world were discussing on Twitter on Wednesday when the Madden cover announcement was out.
To this day, has anyone ever figured out how Peyton Hillis got on there? https://t.co/eAt6WxyPXD
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) June 1, 2022
peyton hillis is trending so it must be madden cover day
— Brian Floyd (@BrianMFloyd) June 1, 2022
The one year legend that was Peyton Hillis. https://t.co/AhI5DKfqKu pic.twitter.com/6C6TtfzkH1
— Chicago Bears B2B Tank Bowl Champs🏆 (@nhorneij) May 27, 2022
Still trying to figure out how Peyton Hillis got on a Madden cover pic.twitter.com/VvB1gpIgV5
— Fanatics Sportsbook (@FanaticsBook) June 1, 2022
peyton hillis still feels like a glitch in the matrix https://t.co/y1LVkmIfrx
— SPORTS DRINK (@SprtsDrnk) June 1, 2022
Though to be fair, there are still those who appreciate Hillis’ appearance in the game.
If your answer isn't Peyton Hillis, we can't be friends. https://t.co/Cm0UpC7tGZ
— Ben Heisler (@bennyheis) June 1, 2022
It’s a proven fact the Madden Cover was perfected in 2012. pic.twitter.com/NI2O8ksqWQ
— McNeil (@Reflog_18) June 1, 2022
About Sean Keeley
Along with writing for Awful Announcing and The Comeback, Sean is the Managing Editor for Comeback Media. Previously, he created the Syracuse blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician and wrote 'How To Grow An Orange: The Right Way to Brainwash Your Child Into Rooting for Syracuse.' He has also written non-Syracuse-related things for SB Nation, Curbed, and other outlets. He currently lives in Seattle where he is complaining about bagels. Send tips/comments/complaints to sean@thecomeback.com.