michael vick
Michael Dwayne Vick was born on June 26th, 1980, in Newport
News, a town near Norfolk, Virginia. A port town, Newport News
had fallen on hard times by Vick's childhood, and Vick's personal
experience was full of hardship. Vick's mother, Brenda, was
only 16 when he was born, and his father, Michael Boddie, was
17. The two had already had a daughter before Michael Vick,
and would have another two children before marrying in 1985.
Michael and his siblings saw little of their father, who was
in the army and then worked long hours in the shipyards. Michael's
mother worked at Kmart while raising her children.
Vick's father first introduced him to football, and it became
a passion for the young man. Vick spent time practicing with
his elder cousin, Aaron Brooks, now quarterback for the New
Orleans Saints. By the time Vick was in junior high -- like
many sullen teens -- he became a disciplinary problem, so his
mother pushed him to get involved in an after-school activity.
Vick chose football. Once he moved on to Warwick High School
in 1994, Vick, who also showed talent in baseball and basketball,
devoted himself exclusively to football.
During Vick's high school career, his football talent began
to shine. Under the tutelage of coach Tommy Reamon, a former
running back, Vick developed his trademark style, and by high
school graduation, he had thrown for 4,846 yards and 43 touchdowns,
and ran for another 1,048 yards and 18 touchdowns. Considered
one of the top five signal callers in the country, Vick was
courted by college coaches nationwide. Finally, Vick decided
on Virginia Tech, Reamon's recommendation.
Vick arrived at Virginia Tech's Blacksburg campus in the summer
of 1998. His first months there were spent working hard at practices
and studying video. That year, Vick passed for 1,840 yards and
12 touchdowns, adding 585 yards and eight TDs on the ground.
He finished third in the race for the Heisman Trophy, almost
unprecedented for a freshman, and won the first-ever Archie
Griffin Award for collegiate MVP. Though his numbers were down
in his sophomore year -- thanks to increased pressure and a
sprained ankle -- Vick still performed admirably, and it looked
as though he would be a first-round pick for the NFL.
Vick wrestled with what to do. His initial reaction was to
play another year for the Hokies, but once it was clear that
he would be a top five pick, he reconsidered. Though inexperienced,
Vick's remarkable physical skills made him a standout. Entering
the draft, Vick became the No. 1 pick of the Atlanta Falcons,
who were looking to improve their hit-and-miss record.
Vick's first year with the Falcons was spent on the sidelines
observing veteran quarterback Chris Chandler, though Vick was
allowed to fill in once in a while, especially when Chandler
was injured. Though the 2000-2001 season had its share of ups
and downs for Vick and his team, he entered the off-season determined
to become a starter the next year. He nabbed the post, and in
2001-2002 threw for nearly 3,000 yards, and ran for 24 touchdowns
and almost 800 yards. Vick continues to hone his skills not
just as a quarterback, but also as a team leader -- the surest
road to becoming a perennial MVP.
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