In 2005, Michael Vick sat on what was potentially the richest contract in NFL history at that point. Since being picked number 1 overall by the Falcons in the 2001 Draft, Vick electrified the league with his jaw-dropping speed, rocket arm, and game-breaking plays. Three Pro Bowl selections and an ESPY for Best NFL Player in 2003 cemented his rise as the new face of the league. So, when Atlanta offered him a 10-year, $130 million extension, it was no surprise. Add to this a lucrative Nike endorsement deal, and Vick’s star power seemed unstoppable, until everything came crashing down.

Vick was convicted on federal charges in relation to his association with Bad Newz Kennels in 2007, which ran an illegal dog fighting ring in Virginia. A series of unfortunate events would unfold, leading to his indefinite suspension from the league and 21 months in federal prison. After his release in 2009, he wasn’t sure whether any team would give him a chance as he stared at the possibility of his career ending too soon. But just then, Andy Reid, who was at the Philadelphia Eagles, gave him a call and a shot at redemption.

The Eagles signed him to a two-year contract, and Vick soon repaid Reid’s faith in him. In his second season, he passed for 3,018 yards and scored 21 touchdowns. That year, Vick also won the NFL Comeback Player of the Year title. Vick would go on to have more fruitful seasons until his retirement in 2017, and now, as he gets ready for a new chapter in his life as Norfolk State’s head coach, he made sure to acknowledge Reid’s contribution in his comeback arc.

“Andy just overall helped me become a well-rounded individual. Helped me grow up as a man. Andy, I got with him when I was 29 years old, and I think that’s really when you’re entering into your prime,” Vick said while talking to WAVY TV 10 on Friday.

He added, “It’s just a lot of highs and lows, and Andy was always helping me to stay even-keeled. If there was a time where I started to dip, [he said] ‘Hey, you gotta do things this way.’ He was never afraid to tell me the right things to do, and I always appreciated that.” Vick had endured a particularly tough time when he was serving time all those years ago. Most of his assets were seized to repay debtors, including the Falcons, for $20 million of his $37 million signing bonus.

As he spent time in prison, his lavish lifestyle got him into further troubles, and his legal team filed for bankruptcy, and Nike also dropped him. But the Eagles and Reid gave him a new lease of life. “I’ll never forget the opportunities given to me by this organization and by Andy Reid. That will never change,” Vick said in 2013.

Thanks to Reid, Vick was slowly able to turn his life around and even got Nike to re-sign him, a rarity for the brand. When news broke that Vick would be the HC at Norfolk State in December last year, Reid was quick to send a message to him.

“Man, is that school lucky to have you? You’re going to do a great job. Those kids are fortunate to have you. Probably most of all, to learn from [you],” the Chiefs HC said. Vick, who had seen the video on FOX while he was an NFL analyst, became emotional. Reid lifted Vick when he was at a low point in his career, and the HC remembers it all too well.

At an event in July 2024, Reid said that Vick’s family—save for his wife—had left him in the wild. “When he comes out [of prison], he’s 20 pounds heavier, his family’s abandoned him – other than his wife, his family has abandoned him. All the people that were involved in the situation he had, abandoned him. [None of them] came to visit him when he was in jail.” As Vick wondered what’s next, Reid offered a hand.

Vick got to make the rest of his career because Andy Reid gave him a second chance. And he ran with it and now looks to step into a new role in a world that had cast him out.

Michael Vick is only looking forward as Norfolk State HC

Vick is brimming with enthusiasm as he steps in after former coach Dawson Odums finished with a 4-8 record. Norfolk State hasn’t seen a successful season in many years. How Vick plans to steer the ship to more success will be an interesting series of events.

Currently, he feels like he is home. He said last year, “This has been fun. to be acclimated and back involved in football, coaching, having the team that I get to coach for days on end is the most exciting thing that I’ve encountered in a long time since playing the game.” Not only that, but Vick also has big plans to make a difference this year.

He said, “Unfortunately, everybody can’t make the team. So, it’s going to be competition at the highest level. And, we’ve got to evaluate. But at the same time, we get to finally get a chance to touch on one another, have a chance to hit, and put forth that best effort.” Vick has arrived at a program that was in dire need of a new coach. He’s going to use his CFB and NFL experience to take the Spartans to a better number this season.

With Andy Reid as a mentor, Vick must have some great tips up his sleeve for the Spartans. The veteran coach’s pupil will now take his first flight at an arena that is quite literally a battleground for him. Will Vick be able to vindicate himself with his first tenure at the helm of the NSU?