The upcoming NFL season may be in doubt, but EA Sports Madden 2012 will definitely be hitting shelves later in the year. It seems even the possibility of a strike-ruined season cannot stop the EA juggernaut.
Madden NFL Football has long been at the forefront of gaming evolution and has become as much a part of the NFL as big hits and touchdown passes. Upon its annual August release, fans clamor to get their hands on the new version.
Even in the shadow of a potentially strike-effected season, Madden continues to revolutionise its field.
For the first time in the history of video games, EA Sports are giving fans the chance to vote for whom they want on the cover of this year’s game.
However, this has dumped a whole heap of controversy on EA’s doorstep.
EA Sports established a 32-player bracket system for their voting, with players with the fewest votes being eliminated in a tournament-like system, until ultimately there is a winner. That winner looks almost certain to be Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick.
This isn’t sitting well with the People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) who are calling for EA Sports to remove Vick from the tournament.
Vick returned to the NFL as a starter last season, after having served 23 months in prison, being charged with Dog-fighting. Dog-Fighting is a barbaric ‘sport’ and form of gambling, that forces dogs to fight one another, often to the death. Vick was convicted of running several dog-fighting syndicates from the basements of his houses.
However, despite the calls from PETA, EA Sports president Peter Moore says that, if he wins the fans vote, Vick will be on the cover.
Moore has recently stated that due to Vick’s outstanding season – that saw him finish second in the league MVP voting and win comeback player of the year – he deserves his shot. He also acknowledged PETA’s requests to pull Vick from the competition, but stated, “…I’m not here to comment on what he did. I personally believe that Michael served his time.”
Vick has also been using his Twitter site to encourage his fans to vote him onto the cover, showing that he believes that he has earned the opportunity to be considered.
Personally, I’ve long been a fan of Michael Vick’s, and found a lot of enjoyment in watching his tremendous season last year. He is great for the NFL, as his tremendous skill makes his “must-see television.”
Obviously, his involvement in organized Dog-fighting was despicable and cannot be defended.
However, as Moore said, Vick has served his time and paid his dues.
He lost everything, declaring bankruptcy before he entered Federal Prison. This was the man who signed a contract worth in excess of $70 million with the Atlanta Falcons.
In 2006, Vick had endorsement with Nike, Coca-Cola, Powerade and many others. He is now solely endorsed by Unequal Technologies – a company that makes Football pads.
By all accounts, he has done above-and-beyond what is expected of him ever since his release from prison. He works with several charities in the US, and gives speeches at schools across the country on the importance of staying in school and getting an education.
He’s striving to have a better life, inside and outside of the NFL. This is something that should be embraced and used as an example of someone changing for the better.
Vick’s actions will never be forgotten; he’s even spoken of how they’ve haunted him. Yet, it’s time that we forgive him.
If he appears on the cover of Madden NFL 2012, this would show that the NFL community has too.
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