*Over a good bit of years in the ‘00’s, Michael Vick generated headlines and talk among sports fans.
For the good, the playmaker amassed legendary stats with the Atlanta Falcons, with great speed and a strong arm to back up his three Pro Bowl selections, 2003 Best NFL Player ESPY, a 10-year, $130 million extension and a lucrative Nike endorsement deal. For the bad, Vick, a number 1 overall NFL draft pick, self-destructed in 2007 with the start of 21 months served in federal prison for his association with people who ran an illegal dog fighting ring in Virginia
Fast forward 15 years after his release in 2009 and Vick is on the verge of another return to the pigskin scene with his role as head coach at Norfolk State University. The reemergence is good news, but doesn’t come lightly for Vick who hasn’t forgotten then-Philadelphia Eagles coach Andy Reid, the man who got him back on track when he signed him to a two-year contract with the team. Passing for 3,018 yards and scoring 21 touchdowns in his second season and Vick proved Reid right, complete with a NFL Comeback Player of the Year title. A point he could not ignore
“Andy just overall helped me become a well-rounded individual. Helped me grow up as a man. Andy, I got with him when I was 29 years old, and I think that’s really when you’re entering into your prime,” Vick said about his former coach during an interview with WAVY TV 10 on April 11.
“It’s just a lot of highs and lows, and Andy was always helping me to stay even-keeled. If there was a time where I started to dip, [he said] ‘Hey, you gotta do things this way.’ He was never afraid to tell me the right things to do, and I always appreciated that.”
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Recalling his bad days, Essentially Sports noted hardship Vick endured while locked, including most of his assets seized to repay debtors, including the Falcons, for $20 million of his $37 million signing bonus. Add in more legal drama, his legal team filing for bankruptcy and Nike dropping him and it was not a good time to be Michael Vick.
Yet Reid and the Eagles became his lifeline for a new life and chance to recover.
“I’ll never forget the opportunities given to me by this organization and by Andy Reid. That will never change,” Vick said in 2013.
With Reid in his corner, Vick slowly turned his life around. Even Nike got down, with the rare move of re-signing him.
Giving credit where credit was due, Reid acknowledged Vick without shame once news of him being the Norfolk State head coach broke in December 2024.
“Man, is that school lucky to have you? You’re going to do a great job. Those kids are fortunate to have you. Probably most of all, to learn from [you],” the Chiefs Head Coach said.
Upon seeing Reid comment on the video while serving as an NFL analyst, Vick became emotional.
The football icon inherits a Norfolk State team that finished last season with a 4-8 record with not much to show overall when it comes to a successful season.
Yet, to hear Vick tell it, he feels like he is home.
“This has been fun. to be acclimated and back involved in football, coaching, having the team that I get to coach for days on end is the most exciting thing that I’ve encountered in a long time since playing the game,” he said last year while previewing his plans for Not only that, but Vick also has big plans to make a difference this year.
“Unfortunately, everybody can’t make the team. So, it’s going to be competition at the highest level. And, we’ve got to evaluate.
“But at the same time, we get to finally get a chance to touch on one another, have a chance to hit, and put forth that best effort.”
No matter what, to have Michael Vick back doing football-related things is something that will be interesting to see.
MORE NEWS ON EURWEB: ‘Don’t Let Me Stop You’ – Michael Vick Tells His Norfolk State Players to Leave If Better NIL Offers Come
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