Michael Vick was the ultimate cheat code.
He had an unparalleled combination of speed and arm talent, making him a nightmare for every defensive coordinator come Sunday.
In an age where traditional pocket passers ranked supreme, Vick’s dual-threat ability was revolutionary.
He single-handled revitalized the Atlanta Falcons and brought the franchise back to relevance.
His rise to fame, though, was a double-edged sword that cast a shadow on his resume.
Controversy followed everywhere he played, severely damaging his image as a player and a person.
However, Vick rebuilt his reputation, and fans still remember him fondly for his jaw-dropping athleticism.
Here is the complete story of one of the game’s most dynamic players.
Budding Star
Vick first started to get national attention as a teenager at Warwick High School in Newport News, Virginia.
His throwing and rushing ability earned him a scholarship to nearby Virginia Tech.
Legendary head coach Frank Beamer protected his prized recruit by redshirting him his freshman year.
In his first year as the starter, though, Vick showed just how unstoppable a force he was.
He led the Hokies to an 11-0 record but fell short in the national title game against Florida State.
(2000) Mike Vick highlights from the Virginia Tech vs. Florida State National Championship game.
Untouchable. @MichaelVick 🔥 pic.twitter.com/wFQi5D6wcK
— Timeless Sports (@timelesssports_) September 4, 2018
Vick set the NCAA record for a freshman in passer efficiency (180.4) and took home the first-ever Archie Griffin Award, given to the nation’s most valuable player.
He also finished third in the Heisman race in an era where freshman players were rarely ever considered for the award.
In his 2000 campaign, Vick continued his torrid pace, but a late-season injury prevented the Hokies from playing in another title game.
After ending the season as the MVP in a win over Clemson in the Gator Bowl, Vick declared for the NFL Draft.
In just two years as the starter, he racked up over 4,400 total yards and 38 touchdowns.
Meteoric Rise
Widely regarded as the top overall prospect in the 2001 draft class, Vick further cemented his status by running a 4.33 40 yard dash at his pro day.
Enamored by his abilities, the Atlanta Falcons traded up to the number one pick to select Vick.
It marked the first time in league history that a team chose an African-American quarterback with the first overall pick.
In his rookie year, Vick saw action in eight games and only started in two games.
But by year two, the Falcons made the smart decision and gave him full control of the offense.
From 2002 to 2006, Vick led Atlanta to two playoff appearances and made the Pro-Bowl three times.
He was a human highlight reel unlike anyone had ever seen before, a premier talent that filled stadiums everywhere he went.
He wrecked defensive gameplans with his propensity to break from the pocket and improvise.
While Vick never developed into an accurate passer, his scrambling alone made up for his throwing issues.
He set a single-game rushing record for a quarterback with 173 yards in 2002 and became the first quarterback to rush for 1,000 yards in a single season in 2006.
However, Vick’s star burned just as bright off the field, and soon his face was everywhere from magazine covers to the television.
Yoo, who remembers this @MichaelVick commercial? #MikeVickMondays (🎥: @usnikefootball) pic.twitter.com/94f6c6TqiA
— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) October 16, 2017
In honor of Mike Vick trending here is a throwback of that 🔥 Powerade commercial.#NFL | @MichaelVick pic.twitter.com/gmim29nBOG
— Kyle Carney (@k014c) May 14, 2020
Though his legacy continued to grow, there was no telling what heights he could reach.
Fall From Glory
Unfortunately, the only thing that could stop Vick was Vick himself.
A federal investigation in 2007 uncovered his involvement in a local dogfighting ring, much of which he funded.
As a result, the NFL suspended him without pay, and Vick served 23 months in prison.
Vick lost millions of dollars in sponsors and had to pay the Falcons back for his breach in contract.
Furthermore, his lavish lifestyle before his imprisonment put him in a financial hole, and he eventually filed for bankruptcy in 2008.
The Falcons eventually released him in 2009, officially making him a free agent.
With his reputation in shambles, Vick’s return to the NFL was far from guaranteed.
He was a PR nightmare, as many teams did not believe his services to be worth the public backlash.
Career Ressurection
Luckily for Vick, a few teams still believed he was worth the risk.
Vick latched onto the Philadelphia Eagles for the 2009 season, playing sparingly behind Donovan McNabb.
When McNabb was traded to Washington the next season, coach Andy Reid pegged Vick as the starter.
From there, it was as if he never missed any time.
How about we start today with a little #TBT?#FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/aDgeVqVnSC
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) March 14, 2019
From 2010 to 2011, Vick looked like his old self, shredding defenses with his unbelievable talent.
Injuries began to mount following the 2012 season, though, and led to inconsistent playing time.
When it was clear that the Eagles wanted to move on, Vick became a bit of a journeyman.
He played for the New York Jets in 2014 and signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2015.
While he played in the occasional spot start, he was no longer the dynamic playmaker he once was.
Vick still wished to play following his stint with the Steelers but garnered zero interest as a free agent.
In 2017, he officially retired from the league, leaving behind one of the most polarizing legacies in football history.
He still finds himself in the football scope, participating in the American Flag Football League from 2017 to 2018.
Vick currently works as an analyst on the Fox NFL Kickoff on FS1.
NEXT: Should The Atlanta Falcons Move On From Matt Ryan?
Catherine says
I have no sympathy for Vick. Dogfighters steal family pets who have never experienced anything but love. They put them in with a pack of their dogs to teach young dogs how to kill. They are called bait dogs. When I was a vet tech, a family brought in their dog that was found staggering down a road after being missing for 2 weeks. His skin was shredded with bites and his wounds were full of maggots. There was no major organ injury, and he might have survived with the antibiotics he was given, but he died after 3 days. He had just completely given up, and had no fight or desire to live left in him. I’ll never forget the look in his eyes.
Anonymous says
POS
No name, please says
So I’ve been doing some research on this topic, and I was absolutely sickened by what I found. The dogs were kept in small cages and not let out, even to relieve themselves. They went where they stood in their cage their waste was simply hosed down with them still inside. The females were strapped into a “ rape stand” so that the other male dogs could breed with ease. If the dogs did not live up to Michael’s standards, they were killed by gunshot, electrocution, hanging, or simply being beaten to death. I cried as I read the articles because I have a pit bull. Her name is Tilly. And my heart breaks at just even imagining something like that happening to her. Tilly is the sweetest, most loving, and loyal dog I think I will ever know. She’s my little sister. And for Michael to be able to do something like that to any animal is so twisted and heartless and wicked that I pity him. No human being should be capable in any way to treat an animal that way. Something must have happened before in his life to make him so heartless and cruel and I honestly feel sorry. How hurt do you have to be to be able to do that and live with yourself. I find his prison experience ironic. He explains it as feeling scared and claustrophobic as he had never been trapped in a cage before. The food was horrible and he was scared of what was outside his cell. Your dogs, Michael, we’re caged and neglected. Their water bowl had algae in them. And if they did not comply to you vile standards, they were executed in the most horrendous of ways. A pretty good reason to be scared of what was outside their cage. I really do pity you, I wouldn’t be able to live with the things I had done. But if you truly have changed, please, do something. For yourself and the dogs you tortured.
Colleen McFalls Belge says
I am disgusted and appalled that Fox News has Vick as a football analyst. Simply confirms. my dismay with Fox .
Kathleen says
I AGREE, HE IS AS EVIL AS EVIL CAN GET. HE DOESN’T EVEN KNOW WHAT SUFFERING IS. HE TOURTURED THOSE BEAUTIFUL BABIES
Angela says
What’s really crazy is how quickly we condemn people without giving them a 2nd chance and how the life of an animal is more important than human life. I’m not saying what he did was right but would it be easier to move past what Vick did if he had killed a HUMAN person. Do a little more research people he has done his restitution. MOVE ON that was several years ago he wasn’t the first and won’t be the last to get caught up The man still has a family to support some needs a job Oh but I forget we place more emphasis on animal life than human life. You would probably sacrifice your kid to save an animal.
Andrew says
Thank you. And it wasn’t even Vick who was physically doing this stuff. He was rich and his homies were using his house & money to fund this ring.
yvonne I thompson says
It was a life that God created and he had no right. to do what he did. and as far as he paid the price no no he did not he should still be in prison.
Jackie Baptiste says
I think he should banned from any association with NFL!!! He is the most disgusting person for allowing dog fighting. This is. Horrific !!!! I am sickened by him. Someone should do to him what he did to those poor helpless animals. I would love to see that.
J6 from Jersey says
So what you made a few mistakes none of us are perfect but it damn sure is a good quarterback and any team in NFL would be Lucky to get him if he were to come back or if they would even let them back in the NFL the dude‘s good I’ve been a be like that that shit go bring Him back and let that arm of days with the way God bless peace out and remember none of us are perfect