“I Cried for Two Weeks Straight”: Falcons Legend Michael Vick Recalls His Nightmarish Experience in Prison

In 2001, the NFL world witnessed something it had never seen before. Michael Vick had arrived in the league and things were about to change permanently. However, things took a wicked turn for the once-in-a-generation quarterbacking talent after a dogfighting scandal.

Former Atlanta Falcons QB Michael Vick was revolutionising the rushing quarterback position forever until his imprisonment in 2007 because of involvement in a dogfighting ring. Vick was sentenced to 23 months of jail time and also had to pay fines worth a little under a million dollars. And within a few days, the legendary Falcons No 7 became inmate number 33765183.

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Michael Vick returned to the NFL to play for the Philadelphia Eagles, NY Jets and the Steelers. He even earned himself the NFL Comeback Player of the Year for 2010. This was momentous after what Vick had been through the past 3 years. However, the entire episode left a lasting mark on the QB and changed him as a human being. On a recent episode of ‘Club Shay Shay’, with Shannon Sharpe, Vik described his experience during his first few days of prison life.

Michael Vick couldn’t hold back tears for weeks in prison

Michael Vick was one of the most popular and influential figures in the NFL at the time of his arrest. That’s why he had to be held accountable for his actions. Vick spoke about his traumatic first day in prison. “It didn’t get real till they slammed that door and they locked it,” Video game Vick recounted. “I cried for two weeks straight.” Often called the human joystick or the walking highlight reel, the number one draft pick from 2001 lost a $120 million contract with the Atlanta Falcons.

The scandal rocked Vick and the entire Falcons franchise, who were legitimate Super Bowl contenders with their QB. Authorities rescued 66 dogs from Michael Vick’s property before he was arrested. Vicks also confessed to killing dogs that tested poorly for the fights. However, that doesn’t undermine Michael Vick’s quarterbacking greatness. The 4x Pro Bowler still holds the all-time QB records for the most career rushing yards (6109) and most rushing yards in a single season (1039).

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Vick returned to the league and reminded the world of what they were missing. At Philly, Michael Vick partnered with WR DeSean Jackson for a monster comeback season. He was a better pocket passer and made more pressure decisions, along with his usual rushing brilliance. Michael Vick retired from the league after spending his last two years playing for the New York Jets and the Pittsburgh Steelers.