FAYETTEVILLE — Former Arkansas running back Peyton Hillis is a video game cover boy.
Hillis, the Cleveland Browns running back, was selected to sport on the cover of EA Sports’ Madden NFL 2012. The announcement was made on ESPN on Wednesday and Hillis won the honor after edging Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick in a fan vote.

Hillis garnered 66 percent of the vote in the final round of the race for the Madden 2012 cover, which began in March. He reached the final round by beating Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice, Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan, Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles, and Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers in what was originally a 32-player bracket.

Winning the Madden cover was a surprise to Hillis, who has gained popularity after rushing for 1,177 yards and 11 touchdowns in his first season with the Browns.

He was selected in the seventh round of the 2008 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos, but was traded to Cleveland after his second season with the team.

Hillis said in an online chat on ESPN.com he was not afraid of the so-called Madden curse that had followed cover selections. A handful of players who had landed on the cover of the video game — Vick included — have suffered injuries the following season.

“For people to believe in this so-called curse, I can’t wait to prove people wrong,” Hillis said. “From what I believe and where I am in my spiritual life, it would be good to prove them wrong in that sense.”

The game will be released later this summer.

— Robbie Neiswanger • Arkansas News Bureau