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PETA asks EA Sports to remove Vick from Madden cover contest
Michael Vick's return to the cover of the popular "Madden" football video game hinges on fan voting — and nothing else.
Despite already hearing complaints from animal-rights activists, EA Sports President Peter Moore said Wednesday that if Vick emerges as the last one standing in a 32-player "bracket" to determine Madden's latest cover athlete, the company would have no reservations about giving the opportunity to the Philadelphia Eagles quarterback.
"We believe that Michael Vick, as the runner-up in MVP for the league and the comeback player of the year, deserved his slot," Moore said, while appearing at the World Congress of Sports, a state-of-the-industry summit presented by SportsBusiness Journal.
Vick returned to the NFL in 2009 after spending 18 months in federal prison for involvement with a dogfighting ring. During the 2010 season, he led the Eagles to the NFC East crown with career-highs in passing yards (3,018), passing touchdowns (21), rushing touchdowns (9), completion percentage (62.6) and passer rating (100.2).
One player from each NFL team was selected to be on the bracket. The contest runs through April 27.
"I can tell you we've already received the letters from our good friends at PETA urging us to take him out of the bracket," Moore said. "I'm not here to comment on what he did. I personally believe, and this is personal commentary right now, that Michael served his time. He's had a tremendous season."
Vick has said in recent weeks that he's hopeful of being on the cover for a second time. He also graced the Madden game box for its 2004 edition.
Source: cnbc
Despite already hearing complaints from animal-rights activists, EA Sports President Peter Moore said Wednesday that if Vick emerges as the last one standing in a 32-player "bracket" to determine Madden's latest cover athlete, the company would have no reservations about giving the opportunity to the Philadelphia Eagles quarterback.
"We believe that Michael Vick, as the runner-up in MVP for the league and the comeback player of the year, deserved his slot," Moore said, while appearing at the World Congress of Sports, a state-of-the-industry summit presented by SportsBusiness Journal.
Vick returned to the NFL in 2009 after spending 18 months in federal prison for involvement with a dogfighting ring. During the 2010 season, he led the Eagles to the NFC East crown with career-highs in passing yards (3,018), passing touchdowns (21), rushing touchdowns (9), completion percentage (62.6) and passer rating (100.2).
One player from each NFL team was selected to be on the bracket. The contest runs through April 27.
"I can tell you we've already received the letters from our good friends at PETA urging us to take him out of the bracket," Moore said. "I'm not here to comment on what he did. I personally believe, and this is personal commentary right now, that Michael served his time. He's had a tremendous season."
Vick has said in recent weeks that he's hopeful of being on the cover for a second time. He also graced the Madden game box for its 2004 edition.
Source: cnbc