Vick, Michael (1980-…), was a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL) . Vick became known for his elusive running as well as his passing ability. His athletic skills as a runner as well as a passer were an unusual combination for a quarterback in the NFL, where the position features passing much more than running (see Football (The offensive team) ; Football (Advancing the ball) ). However, Vick also became known as a controversial athlete. He faced numerous legal problems, the most serious of which led to his imprisonment and suspension from the NFL for almost two years.
In 2007, authorities investigated property in Virginia owned by Vick as part of a drug case involving one of Vick’s relatives. They found many dogs and evidence of dogfighting on the property. Authorities later determined that illegal dogfights had been presented on the property for five years. At first, Vick denied any knowledge of the dogfighting. But he eventually admitted that he financed the fights, sponsored dogs in the exhibitions, and killed dogs that did not perform well. The NFL suspended Vick. In December 2007, he was sentenced to 23 months in prison for operating a “cruel and inhumane” dogfighting ring and then lying about his involvement. Vick served about 18 months of the sentence in prison. The NFL allowed Vick to return to the league early in the 2009 season.
Michael Dwayne Vick was born on June 26, 1980, in Newport News, Virginia. He played for Virginia Tech University in 1999 and 2000, winning several national honors as a quarterback. In 1999, he led Virginia Tech to an undefeated regular season and a place in the national championship game against Florida State. Virginia Tech lost the game, 46-29.
In 2001, Vick left Virginia Tech with two years of college eligibility remaining to enter the NFL draft. The draft is the process in which NFL teams choose players, usually amateurs from college programs. The Atlanta Falcons made him the first player selected. Vick became the Falcons’ starting quarterback his second season. He helped Atlanta reach the playoffs in 2002 and the conference championship game in 2004.
Vick ranked among the stars of the NFL when the dogfighting scandal broke in 2007. After being released from prison, he was cut by Atlanta. Vick signed with the Philadelphia Eagles . However, he still faced much public hostility. He played little in 2009 but became the starting quarterback for Philadelphia in 2010. He was named the NFL Comeback Player of the Year that year and led the Eagles to the division championship. Vick played for Philadelphia through the 2013 season. He joined the New York Jets in 2014 and then signed a one-year contract to play for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2015. He did not play during the 2016 season and retired from football in 2017.
