Michael Vick facts for kids
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Vick in 2017
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| Current position | |
|---|---|
| Title | Head coach |
| Team | Norfolk State |
| Conference | MEAC |
| Record | 0–0 |
| Biographical details | |
| Born | June 26, 1980 Newport News, Virginia, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Virginia Tech |
| Playing career | |
| 1998–2000 | Virginia Tech |
| 2001–2006 | Atlanta Falcons |
| 2009–2013 | Philadelphia Eagles |
| 2014 | New York Jets |
| 2015 | Pittsburgh Steelers |
| Position(s) | Quarterback |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| 2019 | Atlanta Legends (OC/OA) |
| 2025–present | Norfolk State |
| Head coaching record | |
| Overall | 0–0 |
| Accomplishments and honors | |
| Awards | |
|
|
| College Football Hall of Fame Inducted in 2025 (profile) |
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Michael Dwayne Vick (born June 26, 1980) is an American college football coach and former player. He is currently the head football coach at Norfolk State University. Vick played quarterback in the National Football League (NFL) for 13 seasons. He was the first NFL quarterback to run for 1,000 yards in a single season. At the time he retired, he held the record for most rushing yards by a quarterback.
Vick played college football at Virginia Tech. As a freshman, he won the Archie Griffin Award. The Atlanta Falcons chose him as the first overall pick in the 2001 NFL draft. During his six years with the Falcons, he was selected for three Pro Bowls. He helped the team reach the playoffs twice and win one division title.
Vick's NFL career paused in 2007 due to serious legal issues. He spent time away from football. After his time away, Vick joined the Philadelphia Eagles for the 2009 season. He played for the Eagles for five years. In 2010, he had one of his best seasons, leading the team to a division title. He earned the Comeback Player of the Year award and a fourth Pro Bowl selection. In his last two seasons, Vick played for the New York Jets and Pittsburgh Steelers, mostly as a backup. He officially retired in 2017. After his playing career, Vick started coaching. He was an offensive coordinator and advisor for the Atlanta Legends in 2019. In late 2024, Vick became the head football coach at Norfolk State.
Contents
Growing Up and Early Football Days
Michael Vick was born in Newport News, Virginia. He was the third of four children. His parents worked hard to support the family. They lived in a public housing area known as Ridley Circle Homes. This neighborhood faced challenges like crime. Many residents saw sports as a way to build a better future. Vick once shared that he would go fishing to escape the stress of daily life.
Vick's father, nicknamed "Bullet" for his speed, taught him football skills early on. Michael was only three when he started learning. He later taught the game to his younger brother, Marcus Vick. Vick also learned a lot about football from his older cousin, Aaron Brooks. They spent much time at the local Boys and Girls Club. Vick said that sports kept him from getting into trouble.
High School Football Success
Vick first became well-known at Homer L. Ferguson High School in Newport News. As a freshman, he showed amazing athletic talent. He once threw for over 400 yards in a single game. Ferguson High School closed in 1996. Vick and his coach, Tommy Reamon, then moved to Warwick High School.
Vick was a starting player for the Warwick Raiders for three years. Under Coach Reamon, he passed for 4,846 yards and 43 touchdowns. He also ran for 1,048 yards and 18 touchdowns. In his senior year, he passed for 1,668 yards. He scored 10 passing touchdowns and 10 rushing touchdowns. In one game, he ran for six touchdowns and threw for three.
Coach Reamon helped Vick prepare for college. He helped him choose between Syracuse University and Virginia Tech. Reamon suggested Virginia Tech because it was close to Vick's family and friends. Vick chose Virginia Tech in 1998. Leaving his childhood neighborhood with a college scholarship was a big achievement for him.
College Football Journey
Vick played college football for the Virginia Tech Hokies. He quickly became a star player.
1999 Season Highlights
In his first college game in 1999, Vick scored three rushing touchdowns. He led the Hokies to an undefeated 11–0 season. They reached the Bowl Championship Series national title game in the Sugar Bowl against Florida State. Even though Virginia Tech lost, Vick helped them come back from a big deficit. During this season, Vick was featured on the cover of ESPN The Magazine.
Vick led the NCAA in passing efficiency in 1999. This was a record for a freshman. He won an ESPY Award as the top college player. He also won the first-ever Archie Griffin Award as college football's most valuable player. He was named the Big East Offensive Player of the Year. Vick finished third in the Heisman Trophy voting. This was the highest finish for a freshman at that time.
2000 Season Achievements
In the 2000 season, Vick had a career-high 210 rushing yards against Boston College. He helped the Hokies win against West Virginia University and Syracuse. In the game against Syracuse, Vick sealed the win with a 55-yard run.
Vick's final game for Virginia Tech was in the Toyota Gator Bowl. Virginia Tech won, and Vick was named the game's MVP. His achievements led to his induction into the Virginia Tech Sports Hall of Fame in 2017. He was also inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2025. Vick left Virginia Tech after his second season. He wanted to help his family, and he later bought his mother a new house.
NFL Career Highlights
Michael Vick was known for his incredible speed. At his Pro Day workout, he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.33 seconds. This was one of the fastest times ever for an NFL quarterback.
Atlanta Falcons Years
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The Atlanta Falcons chose Vick as the first overall pick in the 2001 NFL draft. He was the first African-American quarterback to be chosen first overall. He signed a six-year contract worth $62 million.
Starting His NFL Journey (2001-2003)
Vick made his NFL debut on September 9, 2001. He scored his first NFL touchdown on a two-yard run on September 23. He made his first start on November 11, helping the Falcons win 20–13. In his first season, he played in eight games, starting two.
In 2002, Vick started 15 games. He threw for 2,936 yards and 16 touchdowns. He also ran for 777 yards and eight touchdowns. Vick set an NFL record for most rushing yards by a quarterback in a single game with 173 yards. The Falcons finished with a 9–6–1 record and reached the playoffs. Vick led the Falcons to a big win over the Green Bay Packers. He was named to his first Pro Bowl after the season.
In 2003, Vick missed the first 11 games due to a leg injury. He returned in week 13. In his first start of the season, he ran for 141 yards, the third-highest by a quarterback in NFL history.
Leading the Falcons (2004-2006)
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Vick played very well in 2004. He passed for 2,313 yards and 14 touchdowns. He also ran for 902 yards and three touchdowns. The Falcons finished with an 11–5 record. Vick set an NFL postseason record for a quarterback with 119 rushing yards in the playoffs. The Falcons won their first playoff game but lost the next. Vick was named to his second Pro Bowl. He signed a large nine-year contract extension.
In 2005, Vick made his third Pro Bowl. He passed for 2,412 yards and 16 touchdowns, and ran for 597 yards and six touchdowns. However, the Falcons did not make the playoffs.
In 2006, Vick made history. He became the first quarterback to run for over 1,000 yards in a single season. He also set a record by rushing for 8.4 yards per carry. Despite his record-setting season, the Falcons did not reach the playoffs.
Time Away from Football
In August 2007, Michael Vick faced serious legal issues. The NFL suspended him from playing. The Falcons later sought to recover part of his signing bonus. In February 2009, the Falcons considered trading Vick. However, they released him in early June, making him a free agent.
Philadelphia Eagles Comeback
After his time away, Vick signed a one-year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles on August 13, 2009. He was allowed to practice and play in the last two preseason games. He became eligible to play in the third week of the regular season.
2009 Season Return
Vick played sparingly as a backup quarterback. In week 13, he scored his first touchdowns since 2006. His teammates voted him the winner of the Ed Block Courage Award. This award honors players who show sportsmanship and courage. The Eagles made the playoffs that season. Vick threw the longest touchdown pass of his career in a playoff game.
2010 Season Success
Vick became the Eagles' starting quarterback in September 2010. He played very well. In one game, he threw for 291 yards and three touchdowns, and ran for another touchdown. He was named the NFC Offensive Player of the Month for September.
In a game against the Washington Redskins, Vick had an amazing performance. He passed for 333 yards and four touchdowns. He also ran for 80 yards and two more touchdowns. He helped the Eagles win 59–28. The Pro Football Hall of Fame asked for his game jersey to display. He was the first player to pass for three touchdowns and rush for two touchdowns in the first half of a game.
Later in the season, Vick led a huge comeback against the New York Giants. The Eagles were down by 21 points in the fourth quarter. Vick helped them tie the game. The Eagles won with a last-second punt return for a touchdown. Vick finished the season with 3,018 passing yards, 21 touchdowns, and six interceptions. He also ran for 676 yards and nine touchdowns. The Eagles made the playoffs but lost to the Green Bay Packers.
Vick made his fourth Pro Bowl after the season. He was named the NFL Comeback Player of the Year. He also won the Bert Bell Award. The Eagles signed him to a large six-year contract.
Later Eagles Seasons (2011-2013)
In 2011, Vick played in 13 games. He passed for 3,303 yards and 18 touchdowns. He also ran for 589 yards. The Eagles finished the season with an 8–8 record.
Vick started the 2012 season as the Eagles' quarterback. He led them to a close win in week one. However, the team struggled, and Vick was injured later in the season. Another quarterback, Nick Foles, took over as the starter.
In 2013, Vick competed for the starting job and won it back. He started well, winning his first game. He had his first career 400-yard passing game in a close loss. However, he suffered a hamstring injury. Foles played very well in his place. Vick spent the rest of the season as a backup.
New York Jets and Pittsburgh Steelers
Vick signed a one-year contract with the New York Jets in March 2014. He chose to wear number 1, becoming the first Jets quarterback to do so. He became the first quarterback in NFL history to reach 6,000 rushing yards.
In August 2015, Vick signed a one-year contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Some fans had mixed feelings about his signing. Steelers president Art Rooney II defended the decision, saying Vick had shown he had changed. Vick played in five games for the Steelers. He suffered a hamstring injury and missed several games. He was inactive for the rest of the season.
Retirement from Playing
In 2016, Vick said he would play one more NFL season. However, he did not sign with a team. He officially announced his retirement from professional football on February 3, 2017. On June 12, 2017, Vick officially retired as an Atlanta Falcon.
Coaching Career
After retiring as a player, Vick started a coaching career.
Early Coaching Roles
In 2017, Vick joined his former coach Andy Reid as a coaching intern with the Kansas City Chiefs. After that, he became an NFL analyst for Fox NFL Kickoff.
Atlanta Legends and Norfolk State
On April 25, 2018, Vick was hired as offensive coordinator for the Atlanta Legends of the Alliance of American Football. He said he felt he could make a difference and give back to the game. He later became a consultant for the team.
On December 20, 2024, Michael Vick was named the 19th head football coach at Norfolk State University.
Endorsements and Charity Work
During his time with the Falcons, Vick was a spokesperson for many companies. These included Nike, EA Sports, Coca-Cola, and Powerade.
After his legal issues, Nike re-signed Vick as an athlete in 2011. This was the first time a sponsor brought back an athlete after dropping them. In 2012, Vick launched his own sports clothing line called V7. Part of the money from sales went to the Boys and Girls Club of Philadelphia.
Vick has also been involved in charitable foundations. In 2006, he, his brother Marcus, and his mother Brenda started The Vick Foundation. This group helps young people in the Atlanta and Hampton Roads areas. They support after-school programs. In 2007, after a tragic event at Virginia Tech, Vick and the United Way donated money to help affected families. The Vick Foundation also collected donations to provide support services.
See also
In Spanish: Michael Vick para niños
