.jpg) Vick in 2017 | |
| Current position | |
|---|---|
| Title | Head coach |
| Team | Norfolk State |
| Conference | MEAC |
| Record | 1–6 |
| Biographical details | |
| Born | (1980-06-26)June 26, 1980 (age 45) 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 | Quarterback |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| 2019 | Atlanta Legends (OA) |
| 2025–present | Norfolk State |
| Head coaching record | |
| Overall | 1–6 |
| Accomplishments and honors | |
| Awards | |
| |
| College Football Hall of Fame Inducted in 2025 (profile) | |
Michael Dwayne Vick (born June 26, 1980) is an Americancollege football coach and former professional football player. He is thehead football coach for theNorfolk State Spartans. He played in theNational Football League (NFL) for 13 seasons and was the all-time leader in quarterback rushing yards at the time of his retirement. Vick playedcollege football atVirginia Tech, winning theArchie Griffin Award as a freshman, and was selectedfirst overall by theAtlanta Falcons in the2001 NFL draft. During his six years with the Falcons, he was named to threePro Bowls and led the team to two playoff runs, one division title, and anNFC Championship Game appearance.
Vick's NFL career came to a halt in 2007 after he pleaded guilty for hisinvolvement in a dog fighting ring and spent 21 months in federal prison. His arrest and subsequent conviction garnered Vick notoriety with the general public, which lasted throughout the rest of his career. He was released by the Falcons shortly before leaving prison.
After serving his sentence, Vick signed with thePhiladelphia Eagles for the 2009 season. As a member of the Eagles for five years, he had his greatest statistical season and led the team to a division title in 2010, earning himComeback Player of the Year and a fourth Pro Bowl selection. In his final two seasons, Vick played for theNew York Jets andPittsburgh Steelers, primarily as a backup. He officially retired in 2017 after spending the 2016 season as a free agent. After retiring as a player, Vick pursued a coaching career. He served as an advisor for theAtlanta Legends of theAlliance of American Football (AAF) in 2019. Near the end of the 2024 season, Vick was named the head football coach atNorfolk State.
Vick was born inNewport News, Virginia, as the third of four children to Brenda Vick and Michael Boddie, then unmarried teenagers.[1][2] His mother worked two jobs, obtained public financial assistance and had help from her parents, while his father worked long hours in the shipyards as a sandblaster and spray-painter.[3] They were married when Michael was about five years old, but the children elected to continue to use their "Vick" surname. The family lived in the Ridley Circle Homes, apublic housing project in a financially depressed and crime-ridden neighborhood located in theEast End section of the port city.[4] Local residents interviewed in a 2007 newspaper article in theRichmond Times-Dispatch noted that "not much [had] changed" nearly a decade after Vick left. One resident said that there wasdrug dealing,drive-by shootings, and other killings in the neighborhood, and suggested thatsports were a way out and a dream for many.[5] In a 2001 interview, Vick told the Newport NewsDaily Press that when he was 10 or 11, "I would gofishing even if the fish weren't biting, just to get away from the violence and stress of daily life in the projects."[5]
Boddie's employment required a great deal of travel, but he taught football skills to his two sons at an early age. Vick was only three years old when his father, nicknamed "Bullet" for his speed during his own playing days, began teaching him the fundamentals.[3] Michael subsequently taught the game to his younger brother,Marcus Vick.[3]
As he grew up, Vick went by the nickname "Ookie",[3] and learned about football fromAaron Brooks, a second cousin who was four years older. Vick and Brooks spent a lot of time at the localBoys and Girls Club.[3][6]"Sports kept me off the streets," Vick toldSporting News magazine in an interview published April 9, 2001. "It kept me from getting into what was going on, the bad stuff. Lots of guys I knew have had bad problems."[7]
Vick first came to prominence while atHomer L. Ferguson High School in Newport News.[8] As a freshman, he impressed many with his athletic ability; he threw for over 400 yards in a game that year. Ferguson High School was closed in 1996 as part of aNewport News Public Schools building modernization program. Vick, as a sophomore, and coachTommy Reamon both moved toWarwick High School.[citation needed]
Vick was a three-year starter for the Warwick Raiders.[9] Under Reamon's coaching, he passed for 4,846 yards with 43 touchdowns. He added 1,048 yards and 18 scores on the ground.[10] As a senior, he passed for 1,668 yards, accounting for 10 passing and as many rushing touchdowns. During one game, he ran for six touchdowns and threw for three touchdowns.[citation needed]
Reamon, who had helped guide Brooks from Newport News to theUniversity of Virginia, helped Vick with hisSATs and helped him and his family choose betweenSyracuse University andVirginia Tech. Reamon favored Virginia Tech, where he felt better guidance was available underFrank Beamer, who promised toredshirt him and provide the freshman needed time to develop. Reamon sold Michael on the school's proximity to family and friends,[3] and Vick chose to attend Virginia Tech.[11] As he left the Newport News public housing projects in 1998 with a college football scholarship in hand, Vick was seen in the Newport News community as a success story.[5]
In his first collegiate game for Virginia Tech as aredshirt freshman, againstJames Madison in1999, Vick scored three rushingtouchdowns in just over one quarter of play. He performed a flip to score his last touchdown but landed awkwardly on his ankle, forcing him to miss the remainder of the game and all of the following game.[12] During the season, Vick led a last-minute game-winning drive againstWest Virginia in the annualBlack Diamond Trophy game. He led theHokies to an 11–0 undefeated season and to theBowl Championship Series national title game in theNokia Sugar Bowl againstFlorida State.[13] Although Virginia Tech lost 46–29, Vick brought the team back from a 21-point deficit to take a brief lead.[14][15] During the season, Vick appeared on the cover of anESPN The Magazine issue.[16]
| External image | |
|---|---|
 Vick on the Cover of Sports Illustrated |
Vick led theNCAA inpassing efficiency in 1999, a record for a freshman (180.4) and the third-highest all-time mark. Vick won both anESPY Award as the nation's top college player and the first-everArchie Griffin Award as college football'smost valuable player. He won the Big East Offensive Player of the Year.[17] He was invited to the 1999Heisman Trophy presentation and finished third in the voting behindRon Dayne andJoe Hamilton.[18] Vick's third-place finish matched the highest finish ever by a freshman up to that point, first set byHerschel Walker in 1980.[19]
One highlight of Vick's2000 season was his career high rushing total of 210 yards againstBoston College inChestnut Hill, Massachusetts.[20] AgainstWest Virginia University in theBlack Diamond Trophy game, Vick accounted for 288 total yards of offense and two touchdowns in a 48–20 win. The following week, Vick led the Hokies back from a 14–0 deficit to beatSyracuse at theCarrier Dome, where the Hokies had not won since 1986. Vick put the game away with a 55-yard run with 1:34 left.[21]
In the following game, againstPittsburgh, Vick was injured and had to miss the rest of the game. He also missed the game againstCentral Florida, and was unable to start against theMiami Hurricanes, who handed Virginia Tech their only loss of the season. Vick's final game while playing for Virginia Tech was against the Clemson Tigers in the Toyota Gator Bowl; Virginia Tech won and Vick was named the game's MVP. His football accomplishments in two seasons led to his induction in to theVirginia Tech Sports Hall of Fame in 2017.[22]
Vick finished sixth in Heisman Trophy voting for the 2000 season.[23] Vick left Virginia Tech after his redshirt sophomore season. Aware that the rest of his family was still living in their three-bedroom apartment in the Ridley Circle Homes, Vick stated that he was going to buy his mother "a home and a car." ESPN later reported that Vick used some of his NFL and endorsement earnings to buy his mother a brand-new house in an upscale section ofSuffolk, Virginia.[24]
Vick was inducted into theCollege Football Hall of Fame in 2025.[25]
| Season | Team | Passing | Rushing | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cmp | Att | Pct | Yds | TD | Int | Rtg | Att | Yds | Avg | TD | ||
| 1998 | Virginia Tech | Redshirted | ||||||||||
| 1999 | Virginia Tech | 90 | 153 | 58.8 | 1,840 | 12 | 5 | 180.4 | 110 | 580 | 5.3 | 8 |
| 2000 | Virginia Tech | 97 | 179 | 54.2 | 1,439 | 9 | 7 | 127.4 | 113 | 636 | 5.6 | 9 |
| Career | 187 | 332 | 56.3 | 3,279 | 21 | 12 | 153.1 | 223 | 1,216 | 5.5 | 17 | |
| Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | 40-yard dash | Vertical jump | Wonderlic | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | 210 lb (95 kg) | 31+1⁄2 in (0.80 m) | 8+1⁄2 in (0.22 m) | 4.33 s | 38.0 in (0.97 m) | 20[26] | ||||||
| All values fromNFL Combine[27][28] | ||||||||||||
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At hisPro Day workout, Vick ran the40-yard dash in 4.33 seconds; his time has been clocked as low as 4.25, the fastest-ever for an NFL quarterback.[29] Vick was selectedfirst in the2001 NFL draft by theAtlanta Falcons, becoming the firstAfrican-American quarterback to be taken with the top pick.[30] TheSan Diego Chargers had the number-one selection, but traded it to the Atlanta Falcons the day before the draft for the Falcons' first- and third-round picks in 2001.[31] Vick was selected in the 30th round of the2000 Major League Baseball Draft by theColorado Rockies, despite not playing baseball since the eighth grade.[32]
.jpg)
He signed a six-year $62 million contract.[33]
Vick made his NFL debut against theSan Francisco 49ers on September 9, 2001, and saw limited action.[34] He completed his first NFL pass towide receiverTony Martin in the second quarter against theCarolina Panthers on September 23 and scored his first NFL touchdown on a two-yard rush in the fourth quarter to help the Falcons to a 24–16 victory.[35][36] Vick made his first start against theDallas Cowboys on November 11 and threw his first touchdown pass totight endAlge Crumpler in a 20–13 victory.[37] He accounted for 234 of Atlanta's 255 yards in the season finale against theSt. Louis Rams on January 6, 2002.[38] In two starts and eight total games played that season, Vick completed 50 of 113 passes for 785 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions. He rushed 31 times for 289 yards (9.3 avg.) and one touchdown.[39]
Vick made 15 starts in 2002, missing one game against theNew York Giants on October 13 with a sprained shoulder.[40] He completed 231 of 421 passes for 2,936 yards and 16 touchdowns. He had 113 carries for 777 yards and eight rushing touchdowns.[41] Vick set numerous single-game career highs during the season, including in passes completed, pass attempts, and passing yards. Vick also set a then-NFL record for most rushing yards by a quarterback in a single game with 173 against theMinnesota Vikings on December 1, broken byColin Kaepernick (181) in 2013.[42] He tied for third in team history for the best touchdown-to-interception ratio in a season. He had a streak of 177 passes without an interception as the Falcons finished with a 9–6–1win-loss-tie record and reached theplayoffs.[43] On January 4, 2003, Vick led the Falcons to an upset victory over the heavily favoredGreen Bay Packers 27–7 in theNFC Wild Card Round.[44] The Falcons lost 20–6 to theDonovan McNabb-ledPhiladelphia Eagles in theNFC Divisional Round the following week.[45] Vick was named to his firstPro Bowl after the season.[46]
Vick suffered a fractured rightfibula during a preseason game before the 2003 season against theBaltimore Ravens.[47] He missed the first 11 games of the regular season, making his debut in week 13. Vick substituted for quarterbackDoug Johnson during the third quarter in a game against theHouston Texans on November 30, completing 8 of 11 passes for 60 yards and rushing for 16 yards on three carries.[48] He started his first game of the season against theCarolina Panthers on December 7 and amassed the third-highest rushing total by a quarterback in NFL history with 141 yards on 14 carries and one touchdown.[49] The Falcons won the game 20–14 in overtime.[50] Vick ended the season with a 21–14 victory over theJacksonville Jaguars on December 28 in which he completed 12 of 22 passes for 180 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception.[51]
Vick returned to form in 2004, passing for 2,313 yards, 14 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. He also added 902 rushing yards and three touchdowns as the Falcons finished with an 11–5 record.[52][53] On October 31, 2004, in a game against theDenver Broncos, he became the first quarterback to throw for more than 250 yards and rush for over 100 yards in the same game.[54] Vick set an NFL postseason record for a quarterback with 119 rushing yards in the first round of the2004 NFL playoffs; Atlanta beat theSt. Louis Rams 47–17 in theDivisional Round, but lost the following week 27–10 to thePhiladelphia Eagles in theNFC Championship.[55][56] Vick, whose single-season rushing total was the third-highest for a quarterback in NFL history, was named to his secondPro Bowl after leading Atlanta to their third division title at the end of the season.[57] He signed a nine-year $130 million extension on December 23.[33] Vick finished second in theNFL MVP voting earning one first place vote, preventingPeyton Manning to be a unanimous choice.[58][59]
Vick made his third Pro Bowl after the2005 season, during which he passed for 2,412 yards and 16 touchdowns while rushing for 597 rushing yards and six touchdowns.[60][61][62] The Falcons, however, finished with an 8–8 record and missed the playoffs.[63]
In2006, Vick became the first quarterback to ever rush for over 1,000 yards in a single season.[64] He also set a record by rushing for 8.4 yards per carry.[65] Vick and teammateWarrick Dunn became the first quarterback-running back duo to each surpass 1,000 rushing yards in a single season.[66] Despite Vick's record-setting season, the Falcons finished with a 7–9 record and again missed the playoffs.[67]
In August 2007, hours after Vick pleaded guilty to federal charges in theBad Newz Kennelsdog fighting investigation, the NFL suspended him indefinitely without pay for violating itsplayer conduct policy. In a letter to Vick,NFL commissionerRoger Goodell said the quarterback had admitted to conduct that was "not only illegal, but also cruel and reprehensible." While Vick was technically a first-time offender under the league's personal conduct policy, Goodell handed down a harsher suspension because Vick admitted he provided most of the money for the gambling side of the dog fighting operation. Goodell left open the possibility of reinstating Vick depending on how he cooperated with federal and state authorities.[68] Goodell had barred Vick from reporting to training camp while the league conducted its own investigation into the matter. At his July 26 arraignment, the terms of his bail barred him from leavingVirginia before the November trial–[69] effectively ending any realistic chance of Vick playing a down in 2007.
On August 27, Falcons ownerArthur Blank said at a press conference that the Falcons would seek to recover a portion of Vick's signing bonus. He said the team had no immediate plans to cut Vick, citing salary-cap issues.[70] It initially appeared that Goodell had cleared the way for the Falcons to release Vick, since he ruled that Vick's involvement in gambling activity breached his contract. On August 29, the Falcons sent a letter to Vick demanding that he reimburse them for $20 million of his $37 million bonus.[71] The case was sent to arbitration, and on October 10, an arbitrator ruled that Vick had to reimburse the Falcons for $19.97 million. The arbitrator agreed with the Falcons' contention that Vick knew he was engaging in illegal activity when he signed his new contract in 2004, and that he had used the bonus money to pay for the operation.[72]
In February 2009, the Falcons revealed that they were considering trading Vick to another NFL team. Atlanta general managerThomas Dimitroff said NFL rules allowed teams to trade the contractual rights to suspended players.[73][74] The Falcons released Vick in early June, however, making him an unrestricted free agent.
After his release from prison, Vick was mentored by former Indianapolis Colts coachTony Dungy.[75] The prospect of his return to professional football was the subject of much conjecture as his suspension and incarceration continued. In 2007, ESPN'sJohn Clayton said few general managers were in a strong enough position to consider taking a chance on Vick, and even then most NFL owners would be concerned about a fan and media backlash. There was also no chance of Vick resurrecting his career in theCanadian Football League, he said. Following a furor in 2007 overRicky Williams playing there while serving a suspension, the CFL banned players currently suspended by the NFL. In any case, Clayton said it would be nearly impossible for a convicted felon to get a Canadian work visa. He did think, however, that Vick would be "unstoppable" if he decided to play in theArena Football League.[76]
Vick signed a one-year contract with thePhiladelphia Eagles on August 13, 2009.[77] The contract was worth $1.6 million, with no money guaranteed. It contained a team option for the 2010 season worth $5 million. Vick was allowed to participate in all team practices and meetings as well as the Eagles' last two preseason games. He was eligible to play in the third week of the regular season. Starting quarterbackDonovan McNabb told reporters he gave coachAndy Reid the idea to sign Vick.[78]
Vick was activated to the 53-man roster in mid-September and played sparingly for the rest of the season as McNabb's backup.[79] In week 13 against theAtlanta Falcons, Vick both threw and ran for a touchdown, his first scores since December 2006.[80] Vick was voted by teammates as the winner of theEd Block Courage Award in December.[81] The award honors players who "exemplify commitment to the principles of sportsmanship and courage". "It means a great deal to me," Vick said at the time. "I was voted unanimously by my teammates. They know what I've been through. I've been through a lot. It's been great to come back and have an opportunity to play and be with a great group of guys. I'm just ecstatic about that and I enjoy every day."[82][83] The Eagles finished the season with an 11–5 record, making theplayoffs.[84][85] In the team's NFCWild Card Round game against theDallas Cowboys on January 9, 2010, Vick threw the longest touchdown pass of his career to rookieJeremy Maclin for a 76-yard touchdown.[86] The Eagles lost the game 34–14.[87]
Reid named Donovan McNabb the Eagles' starter for the 2010 season, but McNabb was traded to theWashington Redskins andKevin Kolb was named the starter.[88][89] While relegated to a second-string role, Vick said he knew he could still play at a high level. Asked if he wanted the Eagles to pick up the second year of his contract, he said, "I hope so...I feel like I'm probably better than I ever was in my career, as far as the mental aspect of the game."[90] The Eagles exercised his option for 2010 in March and Vick received a $1.5 million roster bonus.[91]
Reid named Vick the Eagles' starting quarterback on September 21 after Kolb suffered a concussion, and Vick performed well in his stead.[92] In his second game as an Eagles starter versus theJacksonville Jaguars, Vick led the Eagles to a 28–3 win, throwing for 291 yards and three touchdowns and rushing for another touchdown.[93] He was named the NFC Offensive Player of the Month for September.[94] Vick suffered a rib cartilage injury in a week 4 game againstWashington,[95] and was replaced by Kolb. Vick had passed for 49 yards with three carries for 17 yards in the game prior to the injury.[96]
In a Week 10Monday Night Football matchup against the Washington Redskins on November 14, Vick passed for 333 yards and four touchdowns, while rushing for 80 yards and another two touchdowns. Vick threw an 88-yard touchdown pass toDeSean Jackson on the first play from scrimmage in the game, and went on to help lead the Eagles to a 59–28 victory.[97] Vick was named the NFC Offensive Player of the Week following his performance, and thePro Football Hall of Fame asked for his game jersey to display after he became the first player to pass for three touchdowns and rush for two touchdowns in the first half of a game.[98][99]In a game later in the season against theNew York Giants, Vick led a fourth-quarter rally to erase a 21-point deficit. He accounted for three touchdowns to tie the game with under two minutes left.[100] DeSean Jackson returned the Giants' last punt of the game for a touchdown to win the game for the Eagles as time expired.[100] Vick earned NFC Offensive Player of the Week for his game against the Giants.[101] Vick finished the season with 3,018 passing yards, 21 touchdowns, and six interceptions with a passer rating of 100.2. He had 100 carries for 676 yards and nine touchdowns.[102] Philadelphia finished with a 10–6 record in 2010 and made the playoffs, but lost to the eventualSuper Bowl XLV championGreen Bay Packers 21–16 in theWild Card Round.[103][104]
Vick made his fourth Pro Bowl after the season and was named the Eagles' starting quarterback.[105] TheAssociated Press andSporting News named him theNFL Comeback Player of the Year.[106][107] He also won theBert Bell Award on March 4, 2011.[108] Vick finished second in theNFL Offensive Player of the Year with 11 first place votes andNFL MVP both awarded toTom Brady who won MVP unanimously.[109] In early 2011, the Eagles placed theirfranchise tag on Vick.[110] He signed the one-year tender on March 2.[111] On August 29, however, Vick and the Eagles announced they had agreed on a 6-year, $100 million contract with almost $40 million in guaranteed money.[112] Vick was ranked 20th by his fellow players on theNFL Top 100 Players of 2011.[113]
In Week 4, against theSan Francisco 49ers, Vick had 416 passing yards, two passing touchdowns, and one interception to go along with eight carries for 75 rushing yards.[114] The final game of the season was a 34–10 victory on January 1, 2012, at home againstWashington. Vick completed 24 of 39 passes for 335 yards and three touchdowns.[115] In the 2011 season, Vick appeared in and started 13 games. He finished with 3,303 passing yards, 18 passing touchdowns, and 14 interceptions to go along with 76 carries for 589 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown.[116] Led by Vick, Philadelphia finished the 2011 season with an 8–8 record. The team began with a 4–8 record before winning four games in a row to finish the season.[117]
Vick came into week one of the2012 season as the starter, despite a solid showing from rookieNick Foles in the preseason.[118] Vick led the Eagles to a 17–16 victory in week one against theCleveland Browns despite throwing four interceptions.[119] The Eagles won the following game against theBaltimore Ravens,[120] but lost 27–6 in the third week of the season to theArizona Cardinals.[121] Facing former teammateKevin Kolb, Vick completed only 17 of 37 passes with no touchdowns and two lost fumbles.[121] The Eagles went on to beat theNew York Giants, but then lost three straight games.[122] After the third loss against theAtlanta Falcons on October 28, calls for coach Andy Reid to replace Vick with Foles intensified.[123][124] Reid refused to make the move.[125]
The Eagles lost another game against theNew Orleans Saints, and Vick remained the starting quarterback for a week 10 game against theDallas Cowboys.[126][127] Vick was injured in that game, which the Eagles lost, and was replaced by Foles.[128] On December 3, after Vick had already been sidelined for three weeks, Reid officially named Foles the starter for the remainder of the season.[129] After a Foles injury in week 16, Vick was named the starter for the season finale against the Giants in New York. Vick went 19 of 35 for 197 yards, a touchdown, and an interception, and also ran five times for 25 yards. The Eagles, however, lost the game 42–7, to end the season with a 1–5 division record and 4–12 overall record.[130][131]
On February 11, 2013, the Eagles and Vick agreed on a one-year restructured contract worth up to $10 million.[132][133] New head coachChip Kelly announced that Vick, Foles, and rookieMatt Barkley would compete for the starting job. After a stellar preseason, Vick was able to reclaim his starting job from Foles, who was named Vick's backup.[134]
Vick started out well, winning his first game againstWashington and throwing his first career 400-yard game in a close loss to theSan Diego Chargers, with four passing touchdowns, two rushing touchdowns, and no interceptions in the two-game stretch.[135][136] After that, Vick suffered losses against theKansas City Chiefs andDenver Broncos, where he threw for one touchdown and three interceptions in that stretch (all three were thrown against Kansas City).[137][138] In a game against theNew York Giants, Vick was 6 of 14 for 105 yards, when he suffered a hamstring injury.[139][140] Nick Foles played stellar in his place, going 8–2 as starter, while throwing 27 touchdowns and only two interceptions with a 119.0 passer rating.[141] Vick saw his only playing time in a 15–7 loss to the Giants, where he was 6 of 9 for 30 yards and an interception, but he again suffered an injury, this time to his quadriceps, and was replaced by rookie Matt Barkley, who played even worse.[142][143] Foles returned the following week, and Vick spent the rest of the season as the backup, making only one more appearance in a blowout win over theChicago Bears.[144]
Vick signed a one-year $5 million contract with theNew York Jets on March 21, 2014, the same day the Jets releasedMark Sanchez.[145] The Eagles signed Sanchez one week later.[146]
Vick chose to wear #8 as a tribute toSteve Young,[147] although several days later he decided to change it to No. 1, as #7 was already taken byGeno Smith.[148] Vick became the first quarterback in franchise history to wear the number. During Week 5 against theSan Diego Chargers, Vick came in relief of a struggling Geno Smith following halftime and finished the game with 47 passing yards as the Jets were shut out by the Chargers, 31–0.[149] After seven consecutive losses,Rex Ryan named Vick the starter over Smith for the Week 9 game against theKansas City Chiefs.[150] Vick became the first quarterback to reach 6,000 rushing yards during Week 10 in a 20–13 win over thePittsburgh Steelers, which was one of three games that Vick started for the season.[151]
On August 25, 2015, Vick signed a one-year contract with thePittsburgh Steelers worth $970,000.[152][33]
His signing by the Steelers caused a social media backlash by manyfans, with some saying that they would never support the team again. Those who supported or were indifferent about the signing called such fansfair weather fans, and also cited that the Steelers have several players with questionable pasts, most notablyBen Roethlisberger andJames Harrison.[153] TheAnimal Rescue League of Western Pennsylvania made a subtle jab at the team onTwitter by saying that they were now more proud to support thePittsburgh Penguins and subsequently moved an upcoming fundraiser event fromHeinz Field toConsol Energy Center.[154] Steelers presidentArt Rooney II defended the Vick signing onKDKA-TV, saying that they felt that Vick had proven himself since being released from prison.[155] The Steelers had considered signing Vick in 2009—both Vick and Steelers head coachMike Tomlin are from thesame part of Virginia and know each other well personally—but decided against it due to potential backlash since Vick at the time hadn't proven himself following his release from prison.[156]
In Week 3, Vick was brought into action against theSt. Louis Rams after Roethlisberger sustained a knee injury that sidelined him for 4–6 weeks.[157] In five weeks, Vick went 40 for 66 with two touchdowns and one interception, also rushing for 99 yards on 20 attempts.[158] Vick suffered a hamstring injury in a win against theArizona Cardinals and was replaced byLandry Jones. Vick would miss six games, and Roethlisberger eventually returned to his starting role. Vick would be inactive the remainder of the season, leading some sports commentators to speculate that Vick's playing career may be over.[159]
In 2016, Vick announced he would play one more season in the NFL. However, after not signing with a team all season, he officially announced his retirement from professional football on February 3, 2017.[160][161] On June 12, 2017, Vick retired as an Atlanta Falcon.[162]
On June 28, 2017, Vick began participating in the newly formedAmerican Flag Football League, serving as captain of Team Vick.[163] The following year, he captained the Roadrunners, who ultimately lost toChad Johnson's team in the AFFL semifinal 26–13.[164]
| Legend | |
|---|---|
| Bold | Career high |
| Year | Team | Games | Passing | Rushing | Sacks | Fumbles | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Record | Cmp | Att | Pct | Yds | Avg | TD | Int | Rtg | Att | Yds | Avg | TD | Sck | SckY | Fum | Lost | ||
| 2001 | ATL | 8 | 2 | 1–1 | 50 | 113 | 44.2 | 785 | 6.9 | 2 | 3 | 62.7 | 31 | 289 | 9.3 | 1 | 21 | 113 | 6 | 5 |
| 2002 | ATL | 15 | 15 | 8–6–1 | 231 | 421 | 54.9 | 2,936 | 7.0 | 16 | 8 | 81.6 | 113 | 777 | 6.9 | 8 | 33 | 206 | 9 | 4 |
| 2003 | ATL | 5 | 4 | 3–1 | 50 | 100 | 50.0 | 585 | 5.9 | 4 | 3 | 69.0 | 40 | 255 | 6.4 | 1 | 9 | 64 | 4 | 1 |
| 2004 | ATL | 15 | 15 | 11–4 | 181 | 321 | 56.4 | 2,313 | 7.2 | 14 | 12 | 78.1 | 120 | 902 | 7.5 | 3 | 46 | 266 | 16 | 7 |
| 2005 | ATL | 15 | 15 | 8–7 | 214 | 387 | 55.3 | 2,412 | 6.2 | 15 | 13 | 73.1 | 102 | 597 | 5.9 | 6 | 33 | 201 | 11 | 5 |
| 2006 | ATL | 16 | 16 | 7–9 | 204 | 388 | 52.6 | 2,474 | 6.4 | 20 | 13 | 75.7 | 123 | 1,039 | 8.4 | 2 | 45 | 303 | 9 | 3 |
| 2007 | ATL | Suspended /imprisoned | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2008 | ATL | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2009 | PHI | 12 | 1 | — | 6 | 13 | 46.2 | 86 | 6.6 | 1 | 0 | 93.7 | 24 | 95 | 4.0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2010 | PHI | 12 | 11 | 8–3 | 233 | 372 | 62.6 | 3,018 | 8.1 | 21 | 6 | 100.2 | 100 | 676 | 6.8 | 9 | 34 | 210 | 11 | 3 |
| 2011 | PHI | 13 | 13 | 7–6 | 253 | 423 | 59.8 | 3,303 | 7.8 | 18 | 14 | 84.9 | 76 | 589 | 7.8 | 1 | 23 | 126 | 10 | 4 |
| 2012 | PHI | 10 | 10 | 3–7 | 204 | 351 | 58.1 | 2,362 | 6.7 | 12 | 10 | 78.1 | 62 | 332 | 5.4 | 1 | 28 | 153 | 11 | 5 |
| 2013 | PHI | 7 | 6 | 2–4 | 77 | 141 | 54.6 | 1,215 | 8.6 | 5 | 3 | 86.5 | 36 | 306 | 8.5 | 2 | 15 | 99 | 4 | 2 |
| 2014 | NYJ | 10 | 3 | 1–2 | 64 | 121 | 52.9 | 604 | 5.0 | 3 | 2 | 68.3 | 26 | 153 | 5.9 | 0 | 19 | 85 | 5 | 2 |
| 2015 | PIT | 5 | 3 | 2–1 | 40 | 66 | 60.6 | 371 | 5.6 | 2 | 1 | 79.8 | 20 | 99 | 5.0 | 0 | 10 | 53 | 2 | 0 |
| Total | 143 | 115 | 61–51–1 | 1,807 | 3,217 | 56.2 | 22,464 | 7.0 | 133 | 88 | 80.4 | 873 | 6,109 | 7.0 | 36 | 316 | 1,879 | 98 | 41 | |
| Year | Team | Games | Passing | Rushing | Sacks | Fumbles | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Record | Cmp | Att | Pct | Yds | Avg | TD | Int | Rtg | Att | Yds | Avg | TD | Sck | SckY | Fum | Lost | ||
| 2002 | ATL | 2 | 2 | 1–1 | 35 | 63 | 55.6 | 391 | 6.2 | 1 | 2 | 66.3 | 16 | 94 | 5.9 | 0 | 3 | 27 | 1 | 0 |
| 2004 | ATL | 2 | 2 | 1–1 | 23 | 40 | 57.5 | 218 | 5.5 | 2 | 1 | 79.0 | 12 | 145 | 12.1 | 0 | 5 | 47 | 2 | 1 |
| 2008 | ATL | Suspended / imprisoned | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2009 | PHI | 1 | 0 | — | 1 | 2 | 50.0 | 76 | 38.0 | 1 | 0 | 135.4 | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 2010 | PHI | 1 | 1 | 0–1 | 20 | 36 | 55.6 | 292 | 8.1 | 1 | 1 | 79.9 | 8 | 32 | 4.0 | 1 | 3 | 21 | 0 | 0 |
| 2013 | PHI | Did not play | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2015 | PIT | |||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 6 | 5 | 2–3 | 79 | 141 | 56.0 | 977 | 6.9 | 5 | 4 | 77.6 | 37 | 271 | 7.3 | 1 | 11 | 95 | 4 | 2 | |
During their 2017 training camp, Vick joined his former coach Andy Reid as a coaching intern with theKansas City Chiefs[165] after stating his previous interest in coaching.[166] After the Chiefs concluded their 2017 training camp, he became an NFL analyst onFox NFL Kickoff onFS1.[167]
On April 25, 2018, Vick was hired as offensive coordinator for theAtlanta Legends of theAlliance of American Football.[168][169] Vick said, regarding becoming a coach, "I didn't think I ever wanted to coach but talking about the game at Fox, I get excited like I'm out there playing again. But, it's still not touching individuals. When the opportunity came about, I felt like I could really make a difference and give back to the game. …Once I found out it was in Atlanta, I thought it was a home run."[170] Shortly before the season began, head coachKevin Coyle announced Vick would no longer serve as offensive coordinator, but would still remain with the team as a consultant.[171]
On December 20, 2024, Vick was named the 19th head football coach atNorfolk State University.[172]
| Year | Team | Overall | Conference | Standing | Bowl/playoffs | Coaches# | AP° | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norfolk State Spartans(Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference)(2025–present) | |||||||||
| 2025 | Norfolk State | 1–6 | 0–0 | ||||||
| Norfolk State: | 1–6 | 0–0 | |||||||
| Total: | 1–6 | ||||||||
Between his selection by the Atlanta Falcons in the 2001 NFL draft and early 2007, Vick was allegedly involved in several incidents:
A search warrant executed on April 25, 2007, as part of a drug investigation of Vick's cousin Davon Boddie, led to discovery of evidence of unlawfuldog fighting activities at a property owned by Vick in ruralSurry County in southeasternVirginia, with extensive facilities for the activity.[173] Media attention quickly grew as state officials investigated, soon joined by federal authorities. As separate state and federal investigations progressed, more details emerged about an interstate dog-fighting ring that involved drugs and gambling. Gruesome details of abuse, torture, and execution of under-performing dogs galvanizedanimal rights activists and expressions of public outrage. Vick and several others were indicted on federal andVirginia statefelony charges related to the operation.[184]
In July 2007, Vick and three other men were indicted on federalfelony charges of operating an unlawfulinterstatedog fighting venture known as "Bad Newz Kennels". Vick was accused of financing the operation, directly participating in dog fights and executions, and personally handling thousands of dollars in relatedgambling activities.[185][186] Federal prosecutors indicated they intended to proceed under the provisions of theRacketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), aUnited States federal law that provides for extended criminal penalties and a civilcause of action for acts performed as part of an ongoingcriminal organization.[187]
By August 20, Vick and the other three co-defendants agreed to separateplea bargains for the federal charges.[188][189] They were expected to each receive federal prison sentences of between one and five years. Four days later, Vick filed plea documents with the federal court. He pleaded guilty to "Conspiracy to Travel in Interstate Commerce in Aid of Unlawful Activities and to Sponsor a Dog in an Animal Fighting Venture". Vick admitted to providing most of the financing for the operation, and to participating directly in several dog fights inVirginia,Maryland,North Carolina, andSouth Carolina. He admitted to sharing in the proceeds from these dog fights. He further admitted that he knew his colleagues killed several dogs who did not perform well. Vick also admitted to taking part in the killings of 6–8 dogs, by hanging, beating, and drowning.[190] The "victimization and killing of pit bulls" was considered an aggravating circumstance, allowing prosecutors to exceed the federal sentencing guidelines for the charge. Vick denied placing any side bets on the dogfights.[191] On August 27,U.S. District JudgeHenry E. Hudson accepted Vick's guilty plea, but reminded Vick that he (Hudson) was under no obligation to accept the prosecution's recommendation of a reduced sentence.[192]
While free on bail, Vick tested positive for marijuana in a random drug test.[193][194] This was a violation of the conditions of his release while awaiting sentencing in federal court.[193][194] Vick's positive urine sample was submitted on September 13, 2007, according to a document filed by a federal probation officer on September 26.[193][194] As a result, Hudson ordered Vick confined to hisHampton, Virginia home between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. with electronic monitoring until his court hearing date in December.[195] He was ordered to submit to random drug testing.[193][194]
In November, Vick turned himself in early to begin accruing time-served credit against his likely federal prison sentence. He was held atNorthern Neck Regional Jail inWarsaw, Virginia awaiting sentencing on the federal convictions.[196] On December 10, Vick appeared in U.S. District Court in Richmond for sentencing. Judge Hudson said he was "convinced that it was not a momentary lack of judgment" on Vick's part, and that Vick was a "full partner" in the dog fighting ring, and he was sentenced to serve 23 months in federal prison.[197] Hudson noted that despite Vick's claim to have accepted responsibility for his actions, his failure to cooperate fully with federal officials, coupled with a failed drug test and a failed polygraph, showed that he had not taken full responsibility for "promoting, funding and facilitating this cruel and inhumane sporting activity".[198] Vick was assigned toFederal Correctional Institution, Leavenworth, to serve his sentence.[199]
At the request of federal authorities before sentencing, Vick agreed to deposit nearly $1 million in an escrow account with attorneys to reimburse others for the costs of caring for the confiscated dogs, most of which were being offered for adoption on a selective basis under supervision of a court-appointed specialist.[200] Experts said some of the animals would require special care for the rest of their lives.[201] During the administration of his bankruptcy case, theU.S. Department of Labor complained that these funds were paid at least partially with unlawfully withdrawn monies that Vick held in trust for himself and eight other employees of MV7, a celebrity marketing company he owned.[202]
SeparateVirginia charges against all four defendants in the dog-fighting case were brought following indictments by the Surry County grand jury when it met on September 25, 2007. The principal evidence considered was sworn statements of the defendants during their plea agreement process before the federal court. Vick was charged with two class-6 felonies, which each carried a maximum penalty of five years' imprisonment.[203]
Citing the high costs and transportation logistics of proceeding while Vick was still in federal prison, state prosecutor Gerald Poindexter decided to postpone Vick's trial in Surry County Circuit Court until after Vick's release from federal custody.[204] Vick's attorneys sought to resolve the state charges sooner. On October 14, 2008, Vick's attorney Lawrence Woodward filed a motion to enter a plea via two-way electronic video with the Surry County Courts.[205] Vick planned to plead guilty to state charges in an effort to get early release from federal prison and enter a halfway house.[206] The request for a trial without Vick physically present was denied, but Poindexter agreed to hold the state trial while Vick was still in federal custody if Vick bore the costs of his transportation to Virginia and related expenses.
Vick was transported to Virginia in November 2008 to face the state charges.[207] He appeared before the Surry County Circuit Court on November 25 at a session held in neighboringSussex County because the Surry court building was undergoing renovation. He submitted a guilty plea to a single Virginia felony charge for dog fighting, receiving a 3-year prison sentence suspended on condition of good behavior, and a $2,500 fine. In return for the plea agreement, the other charge was dropped.[208] Michael Dwayne Vick,Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) ID# 33765-183, was released on July 20, 2009.[209]
In 2011, Vick lobbied for H.R. 2492, the Animal Fighting Spectator Prohibition Act, which would have established federal misdemeanor penalties for spectators of illegal animal fighting and made it a felony for adults to bring children to fights.[210]
At the end of 2006,Sports Illustrated magazine estimated Vick's annual income between his NFL salary and endorsements at $25.4 million, ranking him just belowNASCAR'sDale Earnhardt Jr. in a listing of highest-earning athletes.[211] Vick's finances suffered, however, from poor management, bad investments and lawsuits.Certified Financial Planner Michael Smith advised Vick from 2003 to 2005, but resigned after Vick took bad advice from friends, made ill-conceived investments, overspent, and otherwise undermined the wealth-building plan that Smith had created.[212] Smith's plan was for Vick to have a net wealth of $100 million by 2010; by that date Vick was actually an estimated $18.97 million in debt.[213]
In 2006, a $45 million lawsuit was pending in a dispute with Vick's original sports agents.[211] Several lucrative endorsement deals soured.[214]
After the dog fighting indictments were announced in July 2007, financial claims against Vick escalated. His financial affairs strained, Vick was unable to meet scheduled payments and other obligations.[215] Within several months, he had been named in numerous lawsuits by banks and creditors for defaulting on loans, some of them related to business investments.[216][217] The dog fighting property nearSmithfield, Virginia, had been liquidated earlier, and in November 2007, Vick attempted to sell another of his homes.[218]
In June 2008, when Vick's brother, Marcus, was arrested and jailed inNorfolk after a police chase, he listed his residence as a $1.39 million home owned by Vick in an exclusive riverfront community inSuffolk, Virginia.[219] Construction of a new riverfront home took place on land Vick owned in another exclusive section of Suffolk.[220] His attorneys later estimated that he was spending $30,000 a month to support seven friends and relatives, including his mother and brother, three children, and their mothers.[207]
On July 7, 2008, Vick soughtChapter 11 bankruptcy protection[221] in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Newport News after failing to "work out consensual resolutions with each of his creditors," according to court papers. The initial filing, which was incomplete, listed assets of less than $50 million and debts of between $10 million and $50 million. The seven largest creditors without collateral backing their claims were owed a total of $12.8 million. The three biggest unsecured creditors were Joel Enterprises Inc., owed $4.5 million for breach of contract; Atlanta Falcons, owed $3.75 million for a pro-rated signing bonus; andRoyal Bank of Canada, owed $2.5 million in loans.[222]
Joel Enterprises ofRichmond was listed as one of Vick's larger creditors. Sports agents Andrew Joel and Dave Lowman claimed Vick signed a contract with their firm in 2001, nine days before he announced he was leaving Virginia Tech early and declaring himself eligible for the NFL Draft. With his mother as a witness, Vick signed a five-year marketing agreement that anticipated a wide range of endorsement activities using Vick's name, likeness, voice, and reputation. Joel's cut was 25% of all deals, excluding Vick's NFL contract, according to the agreement.[223] Vick attempted to end the relationship with Joel Enterprises a few weeks later, and entered into another relationship with other agents. In 2005, Joel Enterprises sued Vick in Richmond Circuit Court for $45 million in compensatory and punitive damages for breach of contract. After theVirginia Supreme Court denied a Vick motion and ruled that the civil trial could proceed in December 2006,[223] the parties agreed to submit the dispute tobinding arbitration for resolution instead of a formal civil court trial. The outcome of the case was an award of $4.5 million to Joel.[224]
The Atlanta Falcons sought to recover a portion of Vick's $37 million 2004 signing bonus. A reduced amount of $20 million was awarded to the Falcons in binding legal arbitration, which Vick disputed. The sides agreed to reduce the amount to between $6.5 and $7.5 million.[225] The bankruptcy court was advised of this Vick-Falcons settlement agreement on April 3, 2009.
On September 20, 2007, theRoyal Bank of Canada filed a civil lawsuit in the U.S. District Court in Newport News against Vick for more than $2.3 million over a loan tied to real estate.[226][227][228] The suit claimed Vick failed to meet a September 10 deadline to repay.[229] On May 7, 2008, the court granted a motion for summary judgment against Vick for default and breach of a promissory note and ordered him to pay the bank more than $2.5 million.[230]
On September 26, 2007,1st Source Bank, based inSouth Bend, Indiana, claimed damages of at least $2 million in a federal lawsuit, alleging Vick and Divine SevenLLC of Atlanta refused to pay for at least 130 vehicles acquired to be used asrental cars. The bank's Specialty Financing Group provided financing for rental car fleets.[231]
Wachovia Bank also filed a federal suit in October 2007 in Atlanta seeking about $940,000 from Vick and Gerald Frank Jenkins, a business partner. The bank claimed the two men and their business, Atlantic Wine & Package LLC, defaulted on a May 2006 loan of $1.3 million to set up a wine shop and restaurant.[232][233][234][235] Jenkins, a retired surgeon who owned Atlantic Wine since 2004, brought Vick in as an investor.[236][237][238] In May 2008, the U.S. District Court in Atlanta granted a summary judgment in favor of Wachovia. The judgment of $1.11 million included the initial principal balance, interest accrued, fees, overdrawn accounts, and legal fees. The order provided that further interest could be accrued.[213]
TheUnited States Department of Labor filed another lawsuit in federal district court in Newport News on March 25, 2009, alleging Vick and others violated federal employee benefits laws by withdrawing $1.35 million from a retirement plan sponsored by MV7, one of Vick's companies. The money was held in trust under pension laws to fund retirement plans for nine MV7 employees. The Labor Department simultaneously filed a complaint in federal bankruptcy court to prevent Vick from discharging his alleged debt to the MV7 pension plan.[239] The complaint alleged that some of the funds were used to pay restitution ordered in his dogfighting case.[240]
In August 2008,trustee W. Clarkson McDow Jr. was appointed to manage Vick's bankruptcy. The trustee noted in court documents that Vick "has limited ability to arrange his finances and limited ability to participate in the bankruptcy case on an in-person basis." McDow wrote in court documents that it appeared Vick had "routinely relied upon others to make financial decisions for him, giving them discretionary control over large sums of money". McDow named Mary Wong and David A. Talbot as people who had obtained broad written authority to act as hisattorney-in-fact over all of his financial affairs.[241]
Vick had hired Wong, a business manager inOmaha, Nebraska, in the fall of 2007 on the recommendation of Falcons teammateDemorrio Williams. Wong helped cash in some of Vick's investments to provide restitution funds required by the federal court in his criminal case. According to a document filed by one of Vick's attorneys, she used apower of attorney from Vick to "wrongfully remove" at least another $900,000 from his various accounts. Court papers also alleged Wong "caused certain business entities owned by [Vick] to be transferred to her." Vick learned later that Wong had been permanently barred from working with any firm that traded on the New York Stock Exchange as the result of taking more than $150,000 from two elderly widows she met while working atWells Fargo.[242]
Vick next turned to Talbot, a medical school graduate fromHackensack, New Jersey who claimed to have expertise in financial management. Vick later told the court he met Talbot in April 2008 through his brother, Marcus.[243] Talbot was to be paid $15,000 per month and took possession of one of Vick's cars, an $85,000Mercedes-Benz. Vick later discovered that Talbot's résumé contained numerous false statements. Talbot had been accused of defrauding church members inNew Jersey. TheNew Jersey Attorney General started legal action against Talbot forsecurities fraud over an alleged scheme to defraud investors of more than $500,000 by offering them "asset enhancement contracts" to be used to build a new church.[242] U.S. bankruptcy Judge Frank Santoro ordered that the Mercedes-Benz Vick gave Talbot be repossessed and sold, and that Talbot appear at a hearing on September 5.[244]
Paul K. Campsen, one of Vick's lawyers, told the court that Vick "has supported his mother, brother, fiancée and his two children" over the years.[245] He said Vick's financial problems included average monthly expenses of $12,225 for several large homes his family and friends were living in and a monthly income of just $277.69.[246]
Vick's attorneys filed a first plan of reorganization through bankruptcy on November 12, 2008.[247] Under the plan, Vick was to sell three of his six homes. Vick's expenses, meanwhile, included support payments of approximately $30,000 a month. They included $14,531 a month to his mother, $12,363 a month to his fiancée and two daughters, and $3,500 a month to his former girlfriend Tameka Taylor, with whom he had a child. Creditors challenged Vick's spending plan given his loss of salary and suspension from the NFL. Vick's attorneys told the judge on November 13 that Vick "has every reason to believe that upon his release, he will be reinstated into the NFL, resume his career and be able to earn a substantial living."[207]
After creditors objected to the initial reorganization plan, Vick appeared in person before Santoro at a hearing in Newport News on April 2, 2009.[248] Santoro had decided not to allow testimony by video in March, saying he needed Vick in the courtroom to assess his demeanor and credibility.[249] Vick testified that he intended to live a better life after prison. He said his crime was "heinous" and felt "true remorse".[250] Near the end of the hearing, Santoro rejected the plan as unsound, saying that it was too strongly predicated on Vick's return to the NFL and the substantial projected income it would bring, neither of which was assured.[251]
The judge commended Vick for trying to work out his financial mess after years of poor choices, but told Vick the numbers did not add up.[252][253] Santoro adjourned the case and told Vick to work with his advisers to create a new plan, suggesting Vick begin byliquidating one or both of his Virginia homes, as well as three of the cars he intended to keep, and "buy a house more within his means."[254] Vick had testified that he felt obligated to provide for friends and family because of "where he had come from." Santoro told Vick that while that was commendable, "You cannot be everything to everybody. If you do, you're going to be nothing to anybody."[251]
On April 28, attorneys met with Santoro and said they made substantial progress on a revised plan. They reported having settled all disputes with Vick's creditors, including Joel. On August 27, Santoro approved the revised reorganization plan. It was supported by all of Vick's creditors but one who was owed $13,000. Every creditor was to be paid back in six years on the condition that an estimated $9 million in assets be liquidated. Vick was allowed annual living expenses of $300,000 under the plan.[255] He could spend up to $3,500 a month for rent in Philadelphia and $750 for "utilities and miscellaneous". He was to pay $3,712 a month on the mortgage for his house in Hampton, Virginia, where his fiancée and two children lived, and could pay up to $1,355 per month in private school tuition for his children. Vick was also given up to $472 a month in car-related expenses. His mother was allowed $2,500 per month, and his former girlfriend Tameka Taylor was allotted $3,000 per month to support their son, Mitez.[256] Vick was not required to pay creditors during his first season with the Eagles. Vick paid his agent,Joel Segal, $32,500 in 2010, $104,000 in 2011, and would pay him $160,000 each year from 2012 to 2015 for a total of $776,500. He paid bankruptcy lawyers $748,750 in 2010, $1 million in 2011, and a total of $2.6 million.[256]
During his career with the Falcons, Vick became a spokesperson for many companies. He had endorsement contracts with companies includingNike,EA Sports,Coca-Cola,Powerade,Kraft,Rawlings,Hasbro, andAirTran.[257][258]
Even before the animal cruelty case surfaced in 2007, however, Vick's corporate status had deteriorated. Among the negative incidents was hismiddle finger gesture to Atlanta football fans in 2006.[259][260] Vick's first endorsement after being released from prison was a two-year deal on January 27, 2011, with Unequal Technologies, a company that produces football pads.[261] Nike officially signed Vick again as an athlete on July 1, 2011. The company had been supplying him with complimentary gear since October 2009; his re-signing marked the first time a sponsor had brought back an athlete after dropping him.[262]
In 2012, Vick launched a sports clothing line called V7 to be sold exclusively atModell's. Part of the proceeds was to go to theBoys and Girls Club of Philadelphia.[263]
Vick has been a principal in two charitable foundations, the Michael Vick Foundation and The Vick Foundation. In June 2006, Vick, along with his brother Marcus and mother Brenda, established The Vick Foundation, a nonprofit organization to support at-risk youth with after-school programs in theMetro Atlanta and Hampton Roads areas. The announcement of the new organization came just before the start of the foundation's first fundraiser, the Michael Vick Golf Classic. The inaugural event was held at the prestigiousKingsmill Golf Course inJames City County nearWilliamsburg, Virginia in partnership with The Virginia Tech Alumni Association Tidewater Chapter, and raised more than $80,000 for charity.[264][265] According to its 2006 federal tax return, the Michael Vick Foundation provided 100 backpacks to poor children in Newport News and paid for an after-school program.[248]
After theVirginia Tech massacre on April 16, 2007, Vick and theUnited Way donated $10,000 to assist families affected.[266] The Vick Foundation collected donations from communities in Atlanta and Virginia to be placed in the United In Caring Fund for Victims of the Virginia Tech Tragedy and a special fund at the United Way ofMontgomery,Radford, andFloyd counties, which serves the Virginia Tech area. The Vick Foundation said the money would be used to provide help with funeral expenses, transportation for family members and other support services.
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