Michael Vick

At 44 years old, Michael Vick has this physical status:

Michael Dwayne Vick (born June 26, 1980) is a former American football quarterback who played 13 seasons in the National Football League, primarily with the Atlanta Falcons and the Philadelphia Eagles.

He played college football at Virginia Tech and was selected by the Falcons as the first overall pick in the 2001 NFL Draft.

During his six years with the Falcons, Vick was regarded as having transformed the quarterback position with his rushing abilities and was named to three Pro Bowls.

He was the first NFL quarterback to rush for 1,000 yards in a season and holds the record for the most career rushing yards by a quarterback (6,109). Vick's NFL career came to a halt in 2007 after he pleaded guilty for his involvement in a dog fighting ring and spent 21 months in federal prison.

His arrest and subsequent conviction garnered Vick notoriety with the general public, which lasted throughout the rest of his career.

He was released by the Falcons shortly before leaving prison. After serving his sentence, Vick signed with the Eagles in 2009.

As a member of the Eagles for five years, he enjoyed the greatest statistical season of his career and was named to a fourth Pro Bowl in 2010.

In his final two seasons in the NFL, Vick played for the New York Jets and Pittsburgh Steelers for one year each, primarily as a backup.

He officially retired from professional football in 2017 after spending the entirety of the 2016 season in free agency.

Early life

Vick was born in Newport News, Virginia as the second of four children to Brenda Vick and Michael Boddie, then unmarried teenagers. His mother worked two jobs, obtained public financial assistance and had help from her parents, while his father worked long hours in the shipyards as a sandblaster and spray-painter. They were married when Michael was about five years old, but the children elected to continue to use their "Vick" surname. The family lived in the Ridley Circle Homes, a public housing project in a financially depressed and crime-ridden neighborhood located in the East End section of the port city. Local residents interviewed in a 2007 newspaper article in the Richmond Times-Dispatch noted that "not much changed" nearly a decade after Vick left. One resident said that there was drug dealing, drive-by shootings, and other killings in the neighborhood, and suggested that sports were a way out and a dream for many. In a 2001 interview, Vick told the Newport News Daily Press that when he was 10 or 11, "I would go fishing even if the fish weren't biting, just to get away from the violence and stress of daily life in the projects."

Boddie's employment required a lot of travel, but he taught football skills to his two sons at an early age. Vick was only three years old when his father, nicknamed "Bullet" for his speed during his own playing days, began teaching him the fundamentals. Michael subsequently taught the game to his younger brother, Marcus Vick.

As he grew up, Vick went by the nickname "Ookie", and learned about football from Aaron Brooks, a second cousin who was four years older. Vick and Brooks spent a lot of time at the local Boys and Girls Club. "Sports kept me off the streets," Vick told Sporting News magazine in an interview published April 9, 2001. "It kept me from getting into what was going on, the bad stuff. Lots of guys I knew have had bad problems."

Vick first came to prominence while at Homer L. Ferguson High School in Newport News. As a freshman, he impressed many with his athletic ability; he threw for over 400 yards in a game that year. Ferguson High School was closed in 1996 as part of a Newport News Public Schools building modernization program. Vick, as a sophomore, and coach Tommy Reamon both moved to Warwick High School.

Vick was a three-year starter for the Warwick Raiders. Under Reamon's coaching, he passed for 4,846 yards with 43 touchdowns. He added 1,048 yards and 18 scores on the ground. As a senior, he passed for 1,668 yards, accounting for 10 passing and as many rushing touchdowns. During one game, he ran for six touchdowns and threw for three touchdowns.

Reamon, who had helped guide Brooks from Newport News to the University of Virginia, helped Michael with his SATs and helped him and his family choose between Syracuse University and Virginia Tech. Reamon favored Virginia Tech, where he felt better guidance was available under Frank Beamer, who promised to redshirt him and provide the freshman needed time to develop. Reamon sold Michael on the school's proximity to family and friends, and Vick chose to attend Virginia Tech. As he left the Newport News public housing projects in 1998 with a college football scholarship in hand, Vick was seen in the Newport News community as a success story.

Early controversies

Between his selection by the Atlanta Falcons in the 2001 NFL Draft and early 2007, Vick was allegedly involved in several incidents:

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College career

Vick scored three rushing touchdowns in less than half of play in his first collegiate game against James Madison in 1999. He made a spectacular touchdown on his last touchdown but his ankle was firmly on his leg, forcing him to miss the remainder of the game and the entire following game. Vick led a last-minute game-winning drive against West Virginia in the annual Black Diamond Trophy game during the season. In the Nokia Sugar Bowl national championship game against Florida State, he led the Hokies to an 11-0 record and to the Bowl Championship Series national championship game. Despite Virginia Tech's loss to 46-29, Vick brought the team back from a 21-point deficit to a brief lead. Vick was on the front cover of an ESPN The Magazine issue during the season.

Vick led the NCAA in passing rate in 1999, a record for a freshman (180.4) and the third-highest all-time record. Vick received both the ESPY Award as the nation's top college player and the inaugural Archie Griffin Award as college football's most valuable player. He was invited to the 1999 Heisman Trophy presentation and came third in the poll behind Ron Dayne and Joe Hamilton. Vick's third-place finish tied for the highest finish by a freshman ever, surpassing Herschel Walker's first place in 1980.

Vick's 2000 season featured a 210-yard game against Boston College in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. Vick accounted for 288 total yards of offense and two touchdowns in a 48-20 victory over West Virginia University in the Black Diamond Trophy tournament. Vick led the Hokies from a 14–0 deficit to victory over Syracuse at the Carrier Dome, where the Hokies hadn't won since 1986. Vick led the game away with a 55-yard field foul with 1:34 left.

Vick was injured in the first game against Pittsburgh, and the rest of the game was postponed. He also missed the game against Central Florida and was unable to get to the Miami Hurricanes, who gave Virginia Tech their first loss of the season. In the Toyota Gator Bowl, Vick's last game as a member of Virginia Tech was against the Clemson Tigers; Virginia Tech triumphed, and Vick was named the game's MVP. In 2017, he was inducted into the Virginia Tech Sports Hall of Fame thanks to his football performances in two seasons.

Vick left Virginia Tech after his redshirt sophomore season. Vick, who was unaware that the remainder of his family was still living in their 3 bedroom apartment in Ridley Circle Homes, announced that he was going to buy his mother "a home and a vehicle." Vick purchased a brand-new house in an expensive section of Suffolk, Virginia, according to ESPN later.

Professional career

Vick led the 40-yard dash in 4.33 seconds at his Pro Day workout; his time was slower than ever for a football quarterback. Vick was drafted first by the Atlanta Falcons in 2001, becoming the first African-American quarterback to be drafted with the top pick. The San Diego Chargers had the number one pick but traded it to the Atlanta Falcons the day before the Falcons' first- and third-round picks were made in 2001. Despite not playing baseball since the eighth grade, Vick was selected in the 30th round of the 2000 Major League Baseball Draft by the Colorado Rockies.

He has been on a six-year contract worth $62 million. Vick made his NFL debut against the San Francisco 49ers on September 9, 2001, but there was no action. In the second quarter against the Carolina Panthers on September 23, he passed his first NFL touchdown to wide receiver Tony Martin in the second quarter and scored his first NFL touchdown on a two-yard rush, bringing the Falcons to a 24-16 victory. Vick made his first appearance against the Dallas Cowboys on November 11 and threw his first touchdown pass to tighten Alge Crumpler in a 20–13 victory. In the season finale against the St. Louis Rams on January 6, 2002, he accounted for 234 of Atlanta's 255 yards. Vick completed 50 of 113 passes for 785 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions in two starts and eight total games played that season. He rushed 31 times for 289 yards (9.3 avg.) One touchdown was all that was needed.

Vick made 15 appearances in 2002, but he missed one game against the New York Giants due to a strained shoulder. He had 231 of 421 passes for 2,936 yards and 16 touchdowns. He had 113 attempts for 777 yards and eight rushing touchdowns. Throughout the season, Vick set several single-game career records, including in passes completed, pass attempts, and passing yards. Vick also set a new NFC record for most rushing yards by a quarterback in a single game against the Minnesota Vikings on December 1, broken by Colin Kaepernick (181) in 2013. He was third in the team's best touchdown-to-interception ratio in a season. With the Falcons finishing with a 9–6–1 win-loss-tie record and making the playoffs, he had a streak of 177 passes without an interceptor. In the first playoff round, Vick led the Falcons to victory over the heavily favored Green Bay Packers 27–7. In the National Football Conference divisional playoff game the following week, the Falcons lost 20–6 to the Donovan McNabb-led Philadelphia Eagles. Vick was selected to his first Pro Bowl appearance after the season.

Vick sustained a fractured right fibula during a preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens in 2003. He appeared in the first 11 games of the regular season, making his debut in week 13. In the third quarter of a game against the Houston Texans on November 30, Vick was substituted for quarterback Doug Johnson, totaling 8 of 11 passes for 60 yards and running for 16 yards on three carries. He started his season on December 7 against the Carolina Panthers and posted his third-highest rush total by a quarterback in NFL history with 141 yards on 14 attempts and one touchdown. The Falcons won the game 21–14. Vick beat the Jacksonville Jaguars 21-14 on December 28, totaling 12 of 22 passes for 180 yards with two touchdowns and an intercept.

Vick was back to form in 2004, throwing 2,313 yards for 14 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. As the Falcons finished with an 11–5 record, he had 902 yards of passing and three touchdowns. In a game against the Denver Broncos on October 31, 2004, he became the first quarterback to throw for more than 250 yards and rush for over 100 yards in the same game. Vick set a new NFL playoff record for a quarterback with 119 passing yards in the first round of the 2004 NFL playoffs; Atlanta defeated the St. Louis Rams in the first round of the 2004 NFL playoffs, but the Philadelphia Eagles lost to the Philadelphia Eagles the following week. Vick, whose single-season rushing total was the third-highest for a quarterback in NFL history, was named to his second Pro Bowl after leading Atlanta to their third division title. On December 23, he agreed to a nine-year $130 million contract extension. Vick came in second in the NFL MVP polls, preventing Peyton Manning from being a unanimous pick.

Vick's third Pro Bowl appearance came after he played for 2,412 yards and 16 touchdowns while rushing for 597 yards and six more touchdowns during his 2005 season. The Falcons, on the other hand, had an 8–8 record and missed the playoffs.

Vick became the first quarterback to rush for over 1,000 yards in a single season in 2006. He also ran for 8.4 yards per carry, a record. Vick and his teammate Warrick Dunn became the first quarterback-running back duo to pass over 1,000 yards in a single season. Despite Vick's record-breaking season, the Falcons postponed the playoffs after posting a 7–9 record and then fell short of the playoffs.

Vick pleaded guilty to federal charges in the Bad Newz Kennels dogfight probe in August 2007, the NFL suspended him indefinitely without compensation for violating its player conduct policy. In a letter to Vick, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said the quarterback had admitted to a behavior that was "not only unlawful but also cruel and reprehensible." Although Vick was technically a first-time offender under the league's personal conduct policy, Goodell was given a harsher suspension because Vick admitted that he did not have the funds for the dogfighting program. Goodell left the possibility of renaming Vick based on how he collaborated with federal and state officials. Although the league launched its own probe into the allegations, Goodell had forbidden Vick from reporting to training camp. The terms of his bail banned him from leaving Virginia until the November restitution, effectively ending any chance of Vick playing a down in 2007.

Arthur Blank, the Falcons' president, announced at a press conference on August 27 that the Falcons would attempt to recover a portion of Vick's signing bonus. He said the team had no immediate plans to break ties with Vick, citing salary-cap issues. Goodell had initially ruled that Vick's participation in gambling related to his employment, which had violated his contract. The Falcons sent Vick a letter on August 29 demanding that they be reimbursed for $20 million of their $37 million bonus. The lawsuit was sent to arbitration, but an arbitrator found that Vick had to reimburse the Falcons for $19.97 million on October 10. Vick's allegations that he was involved in unlawful conduct when he began his new deal in 2004, and that he had used the reward money to pay for the operation, was consistent with the Falcons' argument.

The Falcons revealed in February 2009 that they were considering moving Vick to another NFL team. According to Atlanta general manager Thomas Dimitroff, NFL rules allowed teams to sell the contractual rights to suspended players. Vick was released by the Falcons in early June, but the team did not restrict him to become an unrestricted free agent.

Vick was mentored by former Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy after being released from jail. Though his suspension and incarceration continued, the chance of his return to professional football was a point of considerable skepticism. While many NFL owners were concerned about a fan and media backlash in 2007, ESPN's John Clayton said that few general managers were in a good enough situation to consider taking a chance on Vick. Vick may not have recovered his career in the Canadian Football League, according to him. The CFL suspended players currently suspended by the league following a controversy in 2007 over Ricky Williams' playing while on suspension. Clayton also stated that it would be nearly impossible for a convicted felon to obtain a Canadian work visa. Vick would be "unstoppable" if he decided to play in the Arena Football League, according to he.

On August 13, 2009, Vick signed a one-year deal with the Philadelphia Eagles. The deal was worth $1.6 million, with no money guarantee. It came with a $5 million team pick for the 2010 season. Vick was allowed to play in all squad practices and meetings, as well as the Eagles' last two preseason games. He was able to play in the third week of the regular season. Donovan McNabb, the starting quarterback, told reporters that he told coach Andy Reid that he had the option to draft Vick.

Vick was activated to the 53-man roster in mid-September and served sparingly for the remainder of the season as McNabb's back-up. Vick and his coworker, Ryan, both threw and ran for a touchdown against the Falcons in week 13, his first appearance since December 2006. In December, Vick was named by colleagues as the winner of the Ed Block Courage Award. The award recognizes athletes who "exemplify their contribution to the principles of sportsmanship and courage." At the time, Vick said, "It means a great deal to me." "I was unanimously voted by my coworkers." They know what I've been through. I've been through a lot. It's been great to return and be able to compete and be with a great crew of guys. I'm just excited about it, and I love every day." The Eagles made the playoffs after finishing the season with an 11-51 record. Vick threw the longest touchdown pass of his career against the Dallas Cowboys on January 9, 2010 in the team's NFC wildcard game against the Dallas Cowboys. The Eagles lost 34-14-14 on the game.

Donovan McNabb was the Eagles' starter for the 2010 season, but McNabb was traded to the Washington Redskins, and Kevin Kolb was named starter. Vick, who was relegated to a second-string position, said he knew he could still play at a high level. "I hope so...I think I'm probably better than I'm ever was in my career," he said when asked if he wanted the Eagles to pick up the second year of his deal. Vick received a $1.5 million roster bonus after exercising his option for 2010 in March.

Since Kolb sustained a concussion, Reid named Vick the Eagles' starting quarterback on September 21, the Eagles' starting quarterback, and Vick did well in his role. Vick led the Eagles to a 28–3 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars in his second game as an Eagle starter. He had 291 yards and three touchdowns and rushing for another touchdown. For September, he was named NFC Offensive Player of the Month. In a week 4 game against the Redskins, Vick sustained a rib cartilage injury and was called on by Kolb. Vick had passed for 49 yards with three carries for 17 yards in the game before being hurt.

Vick passed for 333 yards and four touchdowns in a Week 10 Football matchup against the Washington Redskins on November 14, while rushing for 80 yards and another two touchdowns. On the first play from scrimmage to the Eagles, Vick threw an 88-yard touchdown pass to DeSean Jackson, who led the Eagles to a 59-28 victory. Following his success, Vick was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week, and the Pro Football Hall of Fame asked for his game jersey to be on display after he became the first player to pass for three touchdowns and rush for two touchdowns in the first half of a game. Vick led a fourth-quarter rally against the New York Giants to erase a 21-point deficit in a game later this season. With less than two minutes remaining, he tied the game with three touchdowns to tie the game with less than two minutes remaining. DeSean Jackson, the Giants' last punt of the season, defeated the Eagles after time expired. Vick had 3,018 yards passing, 21 touchdowns, and six interceptions for a passer rating of 100.2. He had 100 carries for 676 yards and nine touchdowns. Philadelphia finished 2010 with a ten–6 record and made the playoffs. In the wildcard round, the team lost 21–16, but the Packers were also defeated 21-16.

Vick was named the Eagles' starting quarterback in his fourth Pro Bowl after the season and was named as the Eagles' starting quarterback. He was named the NFL Comeback Player of the Year by the Associated Press and Sporting News. On March 4, 2011, he received the Bert Bell Award. Vick finished second in the NFL Offensive Player of the Year with 11 first place votes and a NFL MVP who was named in honor of Tom Brady, who also earned MVP unanimously. Vick was nicknamed by the Eagles in early 2011. On March 2, he agreed to a one-year contract. Vick and the Eagles also announced that they had agreed to a six-year, $100 million contract with almost $40 million in guaranteed funds on August 29, 2009.

Led by Vick, Philadelphia, ended the 2011 season with an 8–8 record. The team had a 4-8 record before winning four games in a row to end the season. On January 1, 2012, the Washington Redskins defeated the Redskins in their final game of the season. Vick completed 24 of his 39 passes for 335 yards and three touchdowns.

Despite a solid showing from rookie Nick Foles in the preseason, Vick came into week one of the 2012 season as the starter. Despite throwing four interceptions, Vick led the Eagles to a 17–16 victory over the Cleveland Browns in week one. The Eagles won their next game against the Baltimore Ravens, but the Arizona Cardinals defeated the Ravens 27–6 in the third week of the season. Vick had only 17 of 37 passes, with no touchdowns and two others lost fumbles, despite facing former teammate Kevin Kolb. The Eagles advanced to defeat the New York Giants, but they lost three straight games. After the Falcons' third loss on October 28, calls for coach Andy Reid to swap Vick with Foles escalated. Reid has declined to make the switch.

For a week versus the Dallas Cowboys, the Eagles lost another game against the New Orleans Saints, and Vick stayed as the starting quarterback. Vick was injured in the game, which the Eagles lost, and Foles replaced him. Reid officially named Foles as the starter for the remainder of the season on December 3, after Vick had already been sidelined for three weeks. Vick was named the starter for the season finale against the Giants in New York in week 16 after suffering a Foles fracture in week 16. Vick completed 19 of 35 for 197 yards with a touchdown and interceptor, as well as running five times for 25 yards. The Eagles lost the game 42–7, bringing an overall record and a 1–5 division record to end the season.

The Eagles and Vick signed a one-year deal worth up to $10 million on February 11, 2013. Vick, Foles, and rookie Matt Barkley will all qualify for the starting job, according to Chip Kelly, the current head coach. Vick was able to reclaim his starting job from Foles, who was named Vick's backup after a stellar preseason.

Vick started well, winning his first game against the Redskins and throwing his first 400 yard game against the Chargers in a close loss to the Chargers, with four passing touchdowns, two rushing touchdowns, and no interceptions in the two game stretch. Vick suffered defeat against Kansas City and Denver after that, where he threw for 1 touchdown and 3 INTs in that period (all three were thrown against Kansas City). Vick was 6–14 for 105 yards against the Giants in a game against the Giants when he sustained a hamstring injury. Nick Foles was outstanding in his role as starter, going 8-2 as a starter, and throwing 27 touchdowns to just 2 interceptions with a 119.0 passer rating. Vick was out for his time in a 15–7 loss to the Giants, where he was 6–9 for 30 yards and an interception, but he was forced to miss his quadriceps again, and rookie Matt Barkley replaced him. Foles returned the following week, and Vick spent the remainder of the season as the back-up, with only one appearance in a blowout victory over the Chicago Bears.

On March 21, 2014, Vick signed a one-year $5 million contract with the New York Jets, the same day the Jets cut Mark Sanchez. Sanchez was signed by the Eagles a week later.

Vick selected #8 as a tribute to Steve Young, but he changed it to #1 after being taken by Geno Smith at #7. Vick became the first quarterback to wear the number in franchise history. Vick came in relief of a ailing Geno Smith during halftime and ended the game with 47 passing yards as the Jets were shut out by the Chargers, 31–0. For the Week 9 game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Rex Ryan named Vick over Smith after seven consecutive losses. Vick was the first quarterback to reach 6,000 yards in Week 10, beating the Pittsburgh Steelers 20-13, one of three games on the season.

Vick signed a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers worth $970,000 on August 25, 2015. Vick wore #7 and #1, with Ben Roethlisberger wearing #7 and #1 being unofficially dismissed for Gary Anderson.

Many Steeler supporters reacted angrily on his signing, with some saying that they would never support the team again. Fans of the signing whether they supported or opposed the acquisition, as well as Roethlisberger and James Harrison, were among the Steelers' controversial pasts. On Twitter, the Animal Rescue League of Western Pennsylvania took a subtle jab at the team, saying that they were now more excited to help the Pittsburgh Penguins and then pushed a new fundraiser event from Heinz Field to Consol Energy Center. On KDKA-TV, Steelers president Art Rooney II defended Vick's signing, saying that they felt Vick had proven himself after being released from jail. Both Vick and Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin were from the same area of Virginia and know each other well, but the Steelers turned down Vick in 2009 due to potential backlash since Vick had not proved himself after being released from jail.

After Roethlisberger sustained a knee injury that sidelined him for four to six weeks, Vick was brought into action against the St. Louis Rams in Week 3. Vick threw 40 for 66, two touchdowns and one intercept, as well as running for 99 yards on 20 attempts in five weeks. Vick suffered a hamstring injury during a victory over the Arizona Cardinals and was recalled by Landry Jones. Vick would miss six games, by which time Roethlisberger had returned to his starting role. Vick will be inactive for the remainder of the season, prompting some sports commentators to speculate that Vick's playing career has ended.

Vick said in 2016 that he will play one more season in the league. However, he has officially announced his release from professional football on February 3, 2017. He had not signed with a club all season. Vick, a former Atlanta Falcon, retired as an Atlanta Falcon on June 12, 2017.

Vick joined Team Vick on June 28, 2017, becoming the captain of Team Vick. He captained the Roadrunners, who lost to Chad Johnson's squad in the AFFL semifinal 26-13 in the AFFL semifinals the following year.

Vick began coaching Andy Reid with the Kansas City Chiefs as a coaching intern after expressing an interest in coaching during his 2017 training camp.

He became an NFL analyst on Fox NFL Kickoff, after the Chiefs concluded their 2017 training camp.

Vick was hired as offensive coordinator for the Atlanta Legends of American Football on April 25, 2018. "I didn't believe I ever wanted to teach, but watching the game at Fox, I get excited." However, it is also not touching individuals. When the opportunity came up, I felt like I could make a difference and give back to the game. "It was in Atlanta, I thought it was a home run" the first time I heard. Vick will no longer be serving as offensive coordinator, but the team will nonetheless be retained as a consultant shortly before the season began.

Vick's plans announced on May 20, 2022, that he wanted to return to football and play for an undisclosed team in the Fan Controlled Football league. Vick was apparently inspired by Terrell Owens' triumph in the league, according to reports. Vick denied it two days later and said that he would not come out of retirement.

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