Michael Dwayne Vick born June 26, is an American college football coach and former player who is the head football coach at Norfolk State University.
He played quarterback in the National Football League NFL for 13 seasons, where he became the league's first quarterback to rush for 1, yards in a season and was the all-time leader in quarterback rushing yards at the time of his retirement. During his six years with the Falcons, he was named to three Pro Bowls and led the team to two playoff runs, one division title, and an NFC Championship Game appearance.
Vick's NFL career came to a halt in after he pleaded guilty for his involvement 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 the Philadelphia Eagles for the 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 , earning him Comeback Player of the Year and a fourth Pro Bowl selection. He officially retired in after spending the season as a free agent. After retiring as a player, Vick pursued a coaching career. Near the end of the season, Vick was named the head football coach at Norfolk State.
The family lived in the Ridley Circle Homes, a public housing project in a financially depressed and crime-ridden neighborhood located in the East End section of the port city. One resident said that there was drug dealing , drive-by shootings , and other killings in the neighborhood, and suggested that sports were a way out and a dream for many.
