Saquon Barkley was announced as the cover athlete of Madden NFL 2026 on Monday, joining Donovan McNabb as the only Philadelphia Eagles players to be featured on the front of the video game. Former Eagles quarterback Michael Vick praised the standout tailback after hearing the news.
Michael Vick Sends Heartwarming Message to Saquon Barkley
Vick, a former electrifying passer and current Norfolk State football coach, took to Instagram on Monday to show love to the reverse-hurdling Barkley, who rushed for over 2,00 yards and helped power Philly to a Super Bowl title last season.
“This message is going out to Saquon Barkley. Saquon, congratulations on being the 2026 Madden cover athlete,” Vick said in a video. “I know this is a special moment for you. Me being a former Madden cover athlete myself, I know what it really means to grace the cover. … Keep doing you, keep bleeding green, keep believing in yourself, keep trusting the process as we say, because we know what that means.
“I know 2025 will be an amazing season for you. Stay healthy. I hope all his well, bro.”
“I see you @saquon !!!” Vick captioned the upload.
View this post on Instagram
While with the Atlanta Falcons, Vick was the poster child of Madden 2004, the same edition that made him synonymous with being the most exciting player in the video game’s lore. YouTube gamer RBT compared Vick to a god in a 2019 video, and countless players enjoyed making virtual defenders look silly while controlling Vick.
Vick sported an absurd 95 speed rating, 95 agility rating, and 97 arm strength rating. Madden producers labeled ratings czar Donny Moore’s assessment of Vick’s speed as “ridiculous.” Vick’s Week 13 showing against the Minnesota Vikings in 2002 — 173 rushing yards — pushed Moore to make Vick’s avatar the stuff of legend and stick to his guns.
KEEP READING: Michael Vick Cherishes Role as Norfolk State Head Coach
“All we were ever really trying to do was just make the numbers in the game reflect this player in real life as best as we possibly could,” Moore told ESPN’s David Fleming in 2023. “We did have to stick our necks out a little bit at the time and say (to the producers), ‘Look, this QB is as fast, or faster, than all the cornerbacks and we need to reflect that if we want our game to be accurate.’ That really was it. And I’m really proud that we stuck to it and were able to capture that part of Michael Vick and what he meant even a little bit.”
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!
