Vick and his NFL career are finally done. Seemed like this was bound to happen after he wasn't picked up by any of the playoff teams lacking a decent quarterback.
I would love to see him get involved with the Tech program in some way. Kevin Jones was successful doing that.
THIS JUST IN: Michael Vick tells @JosinaAnderson that he's officially retired from the NFL. pic.twitter.com/0sN66Ggo52— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) February 3, 2017
Forums:
DISCLAIMER: Forum topics may not have been written or edited by The Key Play staff.
Comments
Ron is gone
He set the path for so many QBs. HE will make a great QB coach or OC down the road.
I'll be happy to be surprised if that happens.
I do think he'll be an excellent program ambassador, and an absolutely amazing mentor to players.
... as a "what not to do" horror story? I guess this is an unpopular opinion judging by all these comments, but how can everyone overlook everything that happened? He did his time, and I get that, but he is forever tarnished as some sort of person to look up to, imho.
Because he went to jail, did his time, came out repentant, filed for bankruptcy and worked to dig himself out of it, and has seemingly dedicated his life to animal abuse awareness in the time since. Present-day Michael Vick talks about all the mistakes he made before jail, and how they cost him a career and the lifestyle that so many kids entering the NFL are striving for. This is both a cautionary tale telling these kids what not to do, as well as showing those who have done terrible things in the past the right way to handle them going forwards, showing them that there can be life after jail if you work for it. That is the kind of example you want to set.
I know he did his time, and I'm happy that he feels remorse, but some stains don't come off. And "being involved in the destruction of 6–8 dogs, by hanging or drowning" is one of them.
Partly, yes. He's someone that young athletes can relate to, someone that they just might listen to when he tells them: "You're not perfect and untouchable. Rules still apply to you. Think hard about what you do and who you associate with. Don't screw up like I did."
Also, "apply yourself, don't just rely on raw talent." Because usually the guy saying that, is someone who didn't have all that talent, and had to rely on hard work. For some reason, that often doesn't resonate with the guy who is supremely talented.
One thing about Vick's early reliance on his talent over being a student of the game - I honestly feel like that was partly what made him so exciting to watch. He put it on the line every single play. He wanted the ball in his hands and had a "carry the team on my shoulders" mentality. It didn't always lead to super sexy QB ratings, and didn't always lead to a win (in the NFL; he was a one-man wrecking crew in college), but damn if it wasn't exciting to watch.
Totally agree that he has important life lessons that these kids need to hear about, but someone mentioned how he would be a great ambassador to our program, and I think that's just taking it way too far.
Vick: "Just be more crazy athletic than everyone else, and learn to throw it 70 yards simply by flicking your wrist while running against your body."
Average College QB: "But coach....I can't..
Vick: "I SAID DO IT!"
I don't know how many people read this the other day, but his "Letter to Atlanta" in the Player's Tribune the other day was fantastic. It's not about VT but I highly recommend the read.
http://www.theplayerstribune.com/michael-vick-atlanta-falcons-super-bowl...
Good god, that is a good article/letter.
wait.... so no more "fuck matt ryan"? i'm confused
(thx for article)
Mike Vick is over it. Doesn't mean WE have to be.
No
Fuck Matt Ryan
http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/18614812/michael-vick-says-retired-nfl
Michael Vick is an important part of Virginia Tech football history.
I'm glad he chose VT, and I'm forever a fan.
He lifted this program. We built the program from 1993 on, but in 1999, it was lightning in a bottle. On top of that, he changed the quarterback position. We would never be the same program again. Yeah, he got into some trouble, but more than made up for it. His community work with fostering animals has shed light on animal abuses across the state and country. Way to go Mike, good luck to wherever you go and whatever you do!
I am struggling with my feelings on Michael, still, after all these years. Having been a part of his VT years was undeniably exciting and I will always remember, and be grateful for, those years. As for his "trouble", though, I disagree that he "more than made up for it." He cannot do that. He can attone, and he can work for good and he has, but the vicious brutality that he not only condoned, but sponsored and participated in isn't something that I can completely forgive. Do I wish him the best? You bet I do, but I also wish that he hadn't tarnished his reputation, and in my eyes, his image and VT's image to boot. I'm sure mine will not be a popular opinion, but I'm not the only one with it. He paid for it dearly, I know, and I wouldn't wish to punish him further. Hope he continues to find peace and success with the rest of his life. Damn, he was fun to watch.
I 100% agree with you.
For what it's worth, the inability to forgive usually ends up doing more damage to the one who is holding on to it, than the transgressor. He'll never know which people individually refuse to forgive him, and at the end of the day, it's only going to affect you. Sort of why forgiveness is such a powerful and important part of life.
Little meaningless wisdom from a 24 year old. Take it or leave it, just my two cents.
Gee, thanks Chris. Can't argue with you about the wisdom of forgiveness, and age has little to do with forgiveness, but as for wisdom, we all arrive at it in our own ways and in our own time. I don't care whether Michael knows what I think, just like he didn't know how hard I rooted for him when he was playing. I'll tell you what, though, you walk in the shoes I've walked in for the next 42 years of your life and then get back with me about wisdom. I totally understand folks having a different opinion than myself on this matter, and explicitly stated so in my post, but really don't care to be lectured to by someone who doesn't know me from Adam, regardless of your age. I can guarantee you that I have learned more about forgiveness and wisdom after 66 years on earth than I possessed as a 24 year old, but that's just me.
Wasn't intending to lecture you, my apologies if I offended you in anyway.
No need to apologize, you had your say, I had mine. I wasn't offended, really, just felt like I caught a whiff of a condescending tone and didn't care for it. I can certainly be thin skinned, no doubt, and as I said, I struggle still with what I think about Vick, regardless of who knows or doesn't, or who cares or doesn't.
Jeez man, you took that way more personally than you needed to.
Yeah, I did take it personally. It seemed that it was directed to me personally, so there's that.
Always my favorite player. A pleasure to watch you play. Best of luck!
Thank You...our National Championship run was my freshman year and my first experience at Lane was seeing Vick do a flip into the End zone
I watch this and wonder what he could have done in a Fuente's offense with David Wilson at RB.
I watch this and wonder how he didn't win the Heisman that season.
Lost to a damn Weinke. It was a damn shame he didn't get it.
Actually it was Ron Dane. Ive had an irrational dislike of Ron Dane all these years. Ron friggin Dane, pfft.
And as a Panthers fan, I remember being excited when they drafted Weinke. Yeah about that . . .
Who got it as a lifetime achievement award not best player that year.
Back then freshman were not allowed to win the Heisman (well they could win it buuuuuuuttttttt it was frowned upon to vote for them to win.)
It was because at the time, there was an unwritten rule that no freshman could be the best player in college football.
mine too. It was awesome.
So does ESPN have Frank or Frank and MV7 as guest picker for the Clemson GaneDay?
Frank, Bruce, and Vick
Hope he enjoys retirement to the fullest.
I always think about what could have been when it comes to his NFL career. I'm not just talking about the prison sentence, I'm talking about what could have been if he fully committed to being an NFL QB. By his own admission, he said he didn't study like he needed to when he was in Atlanta and just relied on his immense raw talent. He didn't become a "student of the game" until he got to Philly and man, was he damn good in 2010 and season or two after before injuries started getting to him. And then you got to think about what he'd look like in offenses today. He was basically the prototype QB for how modern offenses build around mobile QBs. If things broke the right way, he probably would have put up Madden like numbers.
But even without ever reaching his full potential in the pros, it speaks volumes that players from his time period, some of them hall of famers, say the guy they were in awe of the most was Mike Vick.
MV7 was truly a generational talent. Never saw anything like him before or since, and I doubt we ever will. I hope retirement is the opening of the door to his next chapter,and that it is successful. He got a second chance when many didn't think he deserved it (and perhaps didn't). This is the definition of grace. Here's to his third chance, perhaps as a sportswriter? Godspeed, Mike Vick.
To this day, he is the most phenomenal, electric athlete I have ever seen play live. My freshman year was 97. I cannot believe some of the feats he did on the field, and made them all look simple, effortless. There was a great atmosphere during his time there. Lots of memories I will never forget.
He honest to god might be the best athlete to ever play football.
We need him and Bo Jackson to meet in the American Gladiator arena to solve this once and for all
I'd let Moss, Megatron, and Deion in on that as well.
I think Julio Jones showed the world he's in that class too after last night
I love me some Vick, but god broke the mold when he made Bo, then decided to break his hip to balance it out.
Think about what he did for the number 7. Kids to this day fight over who's gonna be Vick while at recess. You get bored watching pocket passers who can't move. You cleared your calendar when he was going to be on MNF because you knew he was gonna do something crazy. And most of all you secretly cheered for him more than your own team to win because you can't get enough.
He made football magic and with him gone, the magic is gone and the excitement of football just isn't at the same level
Speaking of MNF, remember that first half against the Skins when he was with Philly? That was possibly the best example of offensive football I've ever seen.
As a Skins fan, that night still haunts me every time we play the Eagles. Good for my fantasy team that year tho. God the Skins suck on MNF.
I predict that for at least the next 50 years, sportscasters will refer to mobile qb's escaping tackles as "doing Michael Vick things." He was that unique.
I was playing NCAA Football a while back on PS2 and broke off a ridiculous run with the QB. Then this sound clip of Herbie and Corso comes on just talking about that are no words to describe what just happened, and that reminds them of "a guy who used to play at Virginia Tech." Obviously couldn't mention names in NCAA, but just shows Mike's impact on the game. He will forever be the gold standard for a dual threat QB.
I was raised a Redskins fan and am a diehard one now, but when I first started watching football, the Falcons were my team. Michael Vick, Bryan Randall, DeAngelo Hall, Matt Lehr, Kevin McCadam, and Keion Carpenter (RIP) all on the same roster. On Madden 06, I would have DeLo return kicks, and I would run play-action sweeps with Mike all day. Madden 06 Vick wasn't as broken as Madden 2004 Vick, but he still so much fun to play with. I owned a Falcons Vick jersey and everything.
When Mike went to prison and the Falcons took Matt Ryan in the draft, I just couldn't bring myself to root for them anymore. I invested my emotions in the Washington Redskins full-time.
So, inevitably, a few years later, Mike is setting fantasy football records against the Redskins on one our signature Monday Night meltdowns and a few after that the Falcons are in the Super Bowl.
He was, is and shall continue to be the GREATEST in my heart.
Nah, I've got him tied for 78th with Brock Osweiler. I've seen Vick play well in the NFC South and NFC East, but he's never proven himself in the AFC West! #mylist #nobodysforcingyoutolikeit
Yall can way whatever you want to about him but in my heart Michael Vick is the reason people know who the Hokies are, the reason that new stadium exist, the reason Deshaun Watson and Vince Young were able to win a National Title. Vick changed college and NFL football forever. Everybody makes mistakes, I think he would be very valuable telling his story to young kids and possibly preventing them from going down the same road. His story is a story of redemption, I really wish the falcons could have signed him to a one day deal so he could have been on the superbowl roster. He did many great things for that organization. If you call yourself a Hokie, then you must call yourself a Vick fan also. Thank you Mike Vick for all of the memories and exciting moments in Lane Stadium and around the country shredding defenses to bits.
quickest retirement I've seen since favres http://www.sbnation.com/2017/2/7/14534990/tom-brady-super-bowl-falcons-mike-vick-nfl-retirement
Hopefully he has some sort of potential interest from another team. I'm sure it's hard for him to watch the game from a distance now, but if a team isn't interested and this is just keeping the rumor mill stirred up, I think it's best he just hangs it up.
cleveland is always looking for somebody
I would just retire if that was my only option. No one is saving that franchise.
I think the Vikings made a big mistake not signing Mike. I seriously don't understand the league's obsession with Sam Bradford. Since rumors have surfaced about Teddy Bridgewater's knee injury being far worse than anticipated, it wouldn't surprise me if the Vikings cut ties with Bradford and finally gave the world what they want to see in a Vick-Peterson backfield.
I don't know about that, I think every year on an NFL roster greatly increases the pension payouts from the NFL. Riding the pine for Cleveland could be a substantial income boost. Bear in mind, Vick declared bankruptcy and paid off his creditors. It isn't like he has untold millions to his name anymore.
Financially, it would make a ton of sense. But you have to also weigh another extra year for monetary reasons on a bad, bad team against the effect on your legacy. Does Vick really want to spend his last year on a losing team, racking up a ton of losses and looking bad in front of the national media?
I think if he really misses the game that much, then it won't matter which team picks him up
The problem is, and Vick has said as much in recent interviews, that he has a starter's mentality. He is going to want to go somewhere early where he can get settled in, learn the playbook, and hopefully have enough veteran upside to beat out the other guys. He isn't content riding the pine. My worry is that he could actually win the starting job in Cleveland, but there's no way that is going to end well for anyone. I would hate to see his last ride in the NFL be that ugly.
They gave up way too much for Bradford to cut ties with him. If they shore up their O-line to allow better running production maybe they could have a decent season.
Is it bad that my first thought upon seeing the headline was that maybe his retirement announcement (and subsequent "cold feet" statement) was to inject himself into the news cycle during Super Bowl weekend?