How will Michael Vick be remembered?
The Atlanta Falcons needed a change in their organization after 35 seasons of mainly mediocrity and mostly failed opportunities, So in 2001 they finally took a gamble that would pay off by taking a quarterback who would revolutionize the position and become a highlight reel and an icon in the league.
Michael Vick was taken 1st overall in 2001. by the Atlanta Falcons after a trade with the San Diego Chargers who took Ladainian Tomlinson
That QB would be 20 year old Michael Vick from Newport News, Virginia, a mobile QB that would take the nation by storm at Virginia Tech on route to becoming a Heisman finalist. His video game like playing style and rare athletic ability would earn him the number #1 overall pick in the 2001 NFL draft.
Vick would become the poster boy of the NFL after his second season in the league were be razzled and dazzled fans with his electrifying moves and rocket arm, he would put the Falcons on the map as one of the up and coming teams in the league. By 2004 Vick had Atlanta in arms length of the Super Bowl, but they would fall short in Philadelphia to the Eagles. He would become one of the richest players in NFL history after signing a record deal of $130 million dollars, but he would not be around in the ATL long enough to see all of his new found fame and fortune.
Vick's scramble against the Vikings was one of his many jaw dropping plays during his prime in the NFL
In 2007, Michael Vick would be investigated by the FBI for dogfighting at one of his properties back home in Virginia. He would plead guilty to federal charges and be incarcerated for nearly 2 years in a federal prison. Vick would have a tough road back to the NFL, as he would have to fight his past and the media to get back to the league. He lost most of his lucrative deal that he signed with Atlanta and gained an enemy in PETA, which fought hard to have him banned from the sport he loved, but Vick paid the price and returned to the NFL.
In 2009, He would be reinstated by Roger Goodell to resume his career but with another team as the Falcons released him back in 2008. Vick would play on a limited basis in his first year back as the back up to Donovan McNabb, but the Eagles would trade McNabb that off-season and put their stock in Michael. He would not disappoint the next season as he would win comeback player of the year after posting his best season as a passer with 21 touchdowns and over 3,000 yards through the air.
Vick would join the Eagles and back up McNabb in 2009 only to become his replacement the next season
He would be awarded by the Eagles with a second contract in excess of $100 million dollars but would only see some of his deal as he would spend 5 seasons in Philly. His career would come full circle as he became only a veteran backup his last 2 seasons in the NFL with the Jets and Steelers. He is still not retired but a shell of his once invisible, elusive style and wreckless play making ability he brought to the NFL as a youngster.
The real question about this dynamic athlete is how will you remember him? Will it be as a player that had it all and lost it all because he chose to live "HIS" way, or a man who would learn from his mistakes and become a better man than he was before all of the glory and highlights on the football field. Whichever way you choose to view him just know that no one human being is perfect and we all have flaws, it's just the way we choose to better our lives after the flaws have been revealed. Michael became a role model and a villian through this rough period but he also became a savior to the people who have lived their lives on the wrong side of the law. Mike Vick is a real American story that we all can learn from and become an inspiration to others.
Vick has seen his highs and lows but has continued to mature through it all
