The ‘Madden’ curse is still haunting Peyton Hillis’ career

RB finds himself jobless just two years removed from gracing the video game cover.

By SIMON SAMANO

Peyton Hillis … SMH.

Ever since Hillis graced the cover of “Madden 12″ just two years ago, his career has been an unmitigated disaster, reaching a low point Saturday when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers released Hillis without him even playing a down this season.

You’ll recall that Hillis burst onto the scene in 2010 with the Cleveland Browns, when he rushed for 1,177 yards and 11 touchdowns. He was a fan favorite thanks to his throwback running style and the fact that he was an instant fantasy star.

It was good times all around for Hillis, who was voted as the cover boy for “Madden 12″ in the ensuing offseason.

Since then, though, it’s been a brutal downward spiral. Here’s what has transpired:

– In 2011, the last year of his rookie contract, Hillis played in just 10 games because of a strained hamstring. He rushed for just 587 yards and three touchdowns after his breakout 2010. Despite his letdown season, Hillis still expected a new, bigger contract with the Browns, which didn’t sit well with management. To boot, he lost favor with his teammates because of the way he acted throughout the ordeal. Not surprisingly, the Browns allowed Hillis to become a free agent.

– In 2012, Hillis joined the Kansas City Chiefs on a one-year deal. The idea was to have Hillis join Jamaal Charles to form a dynamic power-and-speed combo backfield, but Hillis never fit in. He finished the year with just 309 yards on 85 carries. With the hire of new coach Andy Reid, the Chiefs had no desire to keep Hillis.

– This season, Hillis joined the Buccaneers just hoping to keep his NFL career afloat. He suffered a thigh injury in the first preseason game and never played a regular-season snap before being released Saturday.

To sum up: Hillis went from “Madden” cover boy to playing for three teams and now being unemployed — all in a span of two short years.

At this point, even Hillis himself has to wish he’d never been voted to grace the cover.