As a guy who has gone to scores of Falcons games and covered the Birds as a sportscaster, I think I’m more than qualified to talk about Mike Vick. Not to mention the fact that I’ve worked and lived in both Atlanta and Philadelphia.
Growing up in Atlanta, I often went to the Falcons Training Camp in Suwanee, GA., just north of the city. Since then, the Falcons have held their camp in Flowery Branch, GA. I talked to stars like Steve Bartkowski, William Andrews, and Alfred Jenkins to just name a few. The Falcons quarterback position has always been close to my heart.
I have mixed emotions about the Philadelphia Eagles signing the former Falcons star to a contract. I first met Vick in 1999 when I was in New York City covering The Heisman Trophy Presentation. I was the sports director for a TV station in Huntington, West Virginia. Our local guy quarterback Chad Pennington of Marshall University finished fifth in the voting. Wisconsin running back Ron Dayne won the Heisman that year, Michael Vick finished third in the balloting.
After my live shot, I got on the elevator at the Downtown Athletic Club and there was Vick. I said something to him like “congratulations.” Then I thought about how exciting he would be playing for an NFL team.
Years later, I saw Vick at an Atlanta Hawks game. I went up to him and told him about covering that Heisman Trophy presentation in 1999. He shook my hand and said he appreciated it. Vick entered the 2001 NFL Draft and San Diego traded the rights to the top pick to Atlanta, which used the selection to take Vick. San Diego selected running back LaDainian Tomlinson of TCU with the fifth overall pick. I wonder which team got the best deal?
But, I was excited about Vick from day one. His 46-yard touchdown run in overtime against Minnesota in 2002 won the game for the Birds. It’s still one of my all time favorite Vick plays. In that game, he combined for 325 yards in total offense. He had 173 rushing, 152 passing, and 3 touchdowns.
January 4, 2003 is a day I will never forget. Vick handed Green Bay their first home playoff loss in franchise history. I went to many games where Vick excelled. However, I also went to games where his passing game was erratic. I was feet away from Michael Jenkins one time when Vick threw the ball 15 yards over his head, Jenkins did not even jump.
Vick was never a drop back quarterback he was an entertainer. When he broke out of the pocket and started to run everybody said, “ There he goes.” ESPN’s Mike Tirico said that Vick revolutionized the quarterback position, but that wasn’t the case. In Vick’s last year with the Falcons in 2006 he was 31st in the league in completion percentage at 52.6. His career completion percentage was 53.8 with a passer rating of 75.7. Those aren’t exactly Hall of Fame numbers.
Absolute Vick lovers said, “he just wins.” That’s wasn’t true either with a career record of 38-28-1. Yes he did rush for more than 1000 yards in 2006. But, the running quarterback died years ago. Quarterbacks are supposed to distribute the football first, and run if nobody is open. The problem was Vick wanted to run first and pass second. Nevertheless, Vick was very exciting to watch.
But, Vick started to unravel off the field. There was the 2005 lawsuit from a woman claiming Vick knowingly gave her herpes, and that he went to test for the virus under the pseudonym “Ron Mexico.”
During that tough 2006 season, Vick lost his cool after a home loss to New Orleans and flipped off fans he said were taunting him and teammates. The next year, he was stopped by security in a Miami airport carrying a water bottle with a hidden compartment, and allegedly smelling of an illegal substance, an allegation later proven false. When you’re making $130 million, the fans aren’t crazy about off-field drama.
In 2008, Vick was indicted for financing an illegal dog fighting ring. That led to prison time and suspension from the league. Now, the Eagles believe Vick is a changed man. But, electrocuting dogs with jumper cables, holding them under water until they die, and slamming them to the ground before they expire doesn’t exactly send a good message to young fans who care about animals.
I would like to believe that Mike Vick has changed. I watched the 60 Minutes interview and I just can’t tell if he is remorseful. But, Vick has done his time, 18 months in federal prison. I believe in second chances, but there will be no third chance for Mike Vick. The judge who sentenced Vick also ordered additional conditions prohibiting him from incurring debt and mandating participation in a substance abuse treatment program. In addition, the judge ordered Vick not to “engage in the purchase, possession, or sale of any canine.”
If Vick violates the terms of his supervision, he could be sent back to prison for the remainder of the three years he’s on probation. I’m pulling for Vick to be successful with Philadelphia except for one day. December 6th Vick and the Eagles will play at the Georgia Dome. The biggest professional athlete in Atlanta’s history, yes bigger than,"Hammerin' Hank," is going back to the ATL. I don’t know if people are ready for this one, I know I am.
