Michael Vick

Michael Vick Pens Heartfelt Letter, Says He’ll Always Be A Falcon ‘in My Heart

... considers it home. Vick describes being in prison, having lost his reputation, his fortune and his freedom, but still clinging to his identity as quarterback of the Falcons. But there was one thing that I just had a permanent blind spot for: being the starting quarterback of the Falcons. It was something that I had taken so much pride in … something that I had come to identify myself with so strongly. Who was I? I was Mike Vick, quarterback, Atlanta Falcons. I was those five words. They were a part of me. They were … who I was. And so I think I just sort of developed this one blind spot, purely out of necessity, to keep my emotions in check. I was sorry — sorrier than I could ever express — for what I had done. I was prepared to serve my sentence, and to do so with dignity. I knew the millions of dollars that I had lost, and the value to my reputation that I had lost, and every day was a reminder of the freedom that I had lost. I knew all of that. But in my mind, even from a prison cell, there was at ...

Falcons' Gamble On Julio Jones Pays Off Even Bigger Than Deal For Michael Vick

... has taken them a step further than peak Vick did. Falcons WR Julio Jones (Getty Images). Published on Jan. 23, 2017. Jan. 23, 2017. Six years ago, the Falcons traded up to draft Julio Jones, and now they’re on their way to their second Super Bowl ever, after reaching the NFC championship game for the second time in Jones’ career. That makes that 2011 draft-day deal the best in franchise history. Which is saying a lot, considering which trade it beat out, which player it surpassed and the controversy over that player that will last forever. No, Julio Jones isn’t the best Falcons player ever … not yet, at least. Nor will he reach the levels of fame and infamy, love and hatred, adoration and condemnation, reached by Michael Vick. (One would hope not on the infamy.). MORE: All-time greatest Falcons players. No deal had packed a punch and left an impact the way the Falcons’ acquisition of the first overall ...

Michael Vick 'hit Rock Bottom' When Falcons Drafted Matt Ryan

... but one he distinctly remembers is hearing about the Falcons choosing to move on from him while in prison. Vick wrote an essay for The Players' Tribune where he came to peace with the city of Atlanta, the Falcons franchise and the quarterback who replaced him. Vick said one of the things that kept him going in prison was the thought of getting out and finding redemption by leading the Falcons to the Super Bowl. Instead, he could only watch the organization choose to go in a different direct when they drafted Matt Ryan with the third overall pick in the 2008 NFL draft. “Before that moment, I didn’t have much. I didn’t have my money … or my reputation … or, worst of all, my freedom. But I did have one thing. I had those five words: Mike Vick, quarterback, Atlanta Falcons,” he said. Brady or Ryan for the next five years? The pick is a no-brainer. “My grandmother passed away less than a week ...

Michael Vick Hasn't Officially Retired, But He Sounds Retired

... always that thought it the back of your mind that 'yeah, I would love to do it again and recommit myself.' I'm 36 years old, Rich and I don't have a bone that aches in my body.". Vick would go on to point out the irony of the fact that he feels healthy at age 36 - which is certainly rare for someone who had a 13-year career, let alone someone who dealt with the amount of injuries that he did throughout his career. Of course, whether Vick officially retires or not, he is done in the league. The Steelers didn't sign him until Training Camp two seasons ago and he didn't play in the league in 2016. Vick doesn't sound like someone who is particularly interested in being a third-string quarterback, and even contending teams that got desperate for quarterbacks during the 2016 season, like the Oakland Raiders ...

Ex-jets, Falcons Qb Michael Vick Calling It A Career

... for his involvement in a dogfighting ring that earned him nearly two years in federal prison. He signed with Philadelphia after his actions cost him part of his prime. As the Falcons make a run to the Super Bowl, Vick has become a dedicated fan of the team that once employed him and then moved on while he was incarcerated. He’s friendly with Matt Ryan, the man who replaced him, and Julio Jones and has been following Atlanta closely this year. However, Vick made it clear that he does not want to be just a fan too much longer. He said he wants to remain within in the game, one way or another. “I think trying to take those steps in coaching or giving back—as long as it’s something connected with the game of football,” he said. “Whether it’s sitting on the set of College Game Day or on NFL Network, ...

Michael Vick Says He's Retiring From Nfl After 13 Seasons

... Falcons: Quinn recipient of the Salute to Service Award. HOUSTON – Falcons coach Dan Quinn already is a winner this week, two days before the Super Bowl. The second-year head coach in Atlanta has been chosen the Salute to Service Award recipient by the NFL and USAA. Quinn won for his commitment to supporting the military and their families and will be recognized at the "NFL Honors" TV program Saturday night during which The Associated Press will announce its NFL individual award winners. "Coach Quinn truly embodies the spirit of our Salute to Service Award," said Vice Admiral (Retired) John Bird, USAA's senior vice president of military affairs. "Though he has no direct ties to the military, he's made it his personal charge to show appreciation for their service and sacrifice  (see full story).". - The Associated Press. Falcons: Atlanta celebrities pumped up for Falcons. ...

Jason Pierre-paul Settles Lawsuit With Espn; Michael Vick To Retire

... rushing are an NFL record by a quarterback. Vick, who did not play this season, says he is “ready to move on to different things in my life and different facets of my life.”. Vick was selected by Atlanta with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2001 draft. He made three Pro Bowl appearances with the Falcons and became the first quarterback in league history to rush for 1,000 yards in a season, going for 1,039 in 2006 with Atlanta. After serving nearly two years in prison for his role in the dogfighting case, Vick never played for Atlanta again. He spent five years with Philadelphia, where he was chosen the NFL’s comeback player of the year in 2010, and had backup stints with New York (2014) and Pittsburgh (2015). Former players donate brains for research. Former 49 ers offensive lineman Randy Cross is among 30 retired NFL players who have pledged to donate their brains to concussion research. Pro ...

Michael Vick Is Officially Retiring With Formal Party In Houston During Super Bowl Weekend

... February 2 from 3-4 p.m. and 5-8 p.m. Date: Saturday, January 28 to Tuesday, January 31. Event: Atlanta Falcons Devonta Freeman and New England Patriots Malcolm Butler to Wear Customized Cleats During Super Bowl Pre-Game Warmups. For more information  click here. Date: Saturday, January 28. For more information  click here. Photo: Elizabeth Conley, Staff. Image 5 of 52. Date: Saturday Jan. 28. Event: A Blast From Da Past — Disco Ball Bash 76: DJ JD Arnold and others take it back starting at 9 p.m. at Numbers, 300 Westhiemer. For more details and ticket information click here. Date: Saturday Jan. 28. Event: A Blast From Da Past — Disco Ball Bash 76: DJ JD Arnold and others take it back starting at 9 p.m. at Numbers, 300 Westhiemer. For more details and ticket information click. Photo: Bill Olive, FOR THE CHRONICLE. Image 6 of 52. Date:  Sunday,  Jan. 29. Event: Pre-Super Bowl 51 Concert: Featuring pop duo Jack & Jack and actress Peyton List, the NFL Juniors' Apparel Ambassadorwho will be launching her exclusive Super Bowl T-shirt. The first 50 people to buy the shirt are guaranteed admission. at The NFL Shop at the George R. Brown Convention Center, 1001 Avenida De Las ...

The Falcons Are Atlanta's Team Once Again

... you decide to favor, as far as their perspective goes, you’re going to have some very angry people on the other side of that.”. Fans showed their love for Michael Vick when he came to the Georgia Dome as an Eagle in December, 2009. The Falcons went from Super Bowl contenders to the bottom of the league before the opening kickoff of the 2007 season. They started three different quarterbacks and went 4–12. After 13 games, first-year coach Bobby Petrino left a note at each player’s locker telling them he was quitting. After amassing an impressive 56-game sellout streak—the Falcons had only sold out two games in the 1998 Super Bowl year—they failed to sell out two games. Mc Kay said the team turned over more than 10,000 season tickets after ’07. Atlanta would draft Matt Ryan the following year and even ...

Matt Ryan On Kyle Shanahan, Taylor Gabriel, Michael Vick

... transitioned to media life, and how his popular NFL news website was born. He explains why he enjoys being a burr in the saddle of the NFL and also shares the problems he has with the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Matt Ryan describes the feeling of knowing he has so many weapons in his offense (2:15) one of whom is receiver Taylor Gabriel who came out of nowhere to play an important role (3:15). Ryan thinks his team formed a rich bond early this season when they stayed out west on for 10 days on a road trip to Denver and Seattle (4:25). Peter asks Matt if he felt any pressure following Michael Vick in Atlanta (5:40). Matt looks back on the last time he played deep into the playoffs and what he learned from it (7:25) and talks about what is important for this Atlanta team to succeed in the playoffs (8:30). Matt, a Boston college guy, says it is too early to think about the possibility of facing New England in the playoffs (9:35) but Tom Brady has ...

The Falcons' Return To The Super Bowl Is A Triumph For The City Of Atlanta

... has to offer. The Waffle House at the corner of Andrew Young International and Centennial Olympic Park is packed. People are standing waiting for a table while they watch the already-seated patrons stuff their faces with waffles, bacon, eggs, and hash browns that just might be scattered, smothered, and covered. As you make your way past Philips Arena and the CNN Center, Mercedes-Benz Stadium sneaks up on you suddenly as you make your way up Centennial Olympic Park Drive. It’s starting to take its final form. You can see where the letters will be placed on the side of the stadium coming from Philips, with the Mercedes-Benz logo on the other side. Hook a right onto Northside Drive, and you go from a construction worker-filled Mercedes-Benz Stadium site, to an empty Georgia Dome one. A pine green Porta-Potty across the street, slightly leaning, appropriately has “ROLL TIDE” spray-painted in silver. The Crimson Tide aren’t strangers to the Dome, playing in the SEC ...