Vick started his football career at an early age, playing college football at Virginia Tech after graduating from Warwick High School in Newport News. In 2001, he was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons as the first overall pick in the NFL draft, where he turned into one of the league’s outstanding quarterbacks.
During his six seasons at Atlanta, Vick revolutionized the position of quarterback with his electrifying speed and agility, along with a rocket-like arm, that was something never seen before. In 2004, he threw for 2,313 yards and ran for 902. He also became the first quarterback in NFL history to rush for over 1,000 yards in a single season in 2006, and he reiterated this again in 2010 with the Philadelphia Eagles, where he finally found his way back after serving his 23-month sentence in a federal prison.
Vick’s success ratio extended beyond the football field. By the fourth year of his career, he became the first-ever African American quarterback to sign a $100 million contract. In 2008, he established the Michael Vick Foundation, whose primary mission was to inspire children from disadvantaged backgrounds to lead healthy, active lifestyles through sports, academics, and fitness.
However, in 2007, the positive image that Michael Vick established up to that point came crashing down. The quarterback was federally indicted for his involvement in an illegal dog-fighting ring that took place at a property he owned in Virginia. This legal misstep put him in prison for 23 months, where he had to deal with a plethora of issues related to redemption, image recovery, and introducing himself to the society, as a changed person.
When Vick was released from prison, it was uncertain whether he would ever be able to return to the NFL. However, the Philadelphia Eagles took a big gamble on him and signed him to a two-year contract in 2009, which led to the most significant comeback in sports history. Vick remained a steadfast team member until his retirement from professional football in 2017.
In summary, Michael Vick’s NFL career had several high points, but also significant low points. During his 13-year span in the league, he managed to transform the role of a quarterback, optimize his way to success, and make history. Although his legal transgressions prove to be his worst legacy, the former football quarterback was able to overcome this by channeling his shock and regret towards the foundation and the youth in America. Prosecuted, alienated, and incarcerated, Vick battled a lot throughout his career, but he never gave up on the image of his potential greatness, leaving a distinct legacy which would be discussed for decades to come.