Sixteen years in the past,Michael Vick was at all-time low. A courtroom. A conviction. A profession in ruins. The headlines have been brutal, and the silence from NFL entrance places of work was even louder. Nobody wished to the touch the former Falcons star-not after what had come to mild.
However then Andy Reid known as.
INSIDE THE CHIEFS’ EMPIRE
Again in 2009, Reid was teaching the Eagles and on the lookout for depth at quarterback. What he noticed in Vick wasn’t simply potential-it was an individual who wanted a path again. So the Eagles supplied a low-risk deal. Vick could be third-string behind Kevin Kolb and Donovan McNabb. That was the plan.
In fact, soccer hardly ever follows the plan.
Twenty-two minutes into the 2010 season opener, Kolb went down with a concussion. Vick stepped in. By season’s finish, he had over 3,000 passing yards, 21 complete touchdowns, and the NFL Comeback Participant of the 12 months award. He wasn’t simply back-he was electrical.
Mentorship That Outlived the Sport
Quick ahead to 2025, and Vick is now the pinnacle coach at Norfolk State. It is his first shot at operating a program, and whereas the street to this second hasn’t been simple, he is crystal clear about one factor: the turnaround began with Andy Reid.
“I acquired the precise mentors and proper folks in my life,”Vick mentioned on The Blessed Code podcast this week. “You could not get me to comply with do nothing that was going to hurt myself or my household.”
He did not say Reid’s title outright, however he did not need to. The muse was apparent.
Reid, who’s since gained three Tremendous Bowls with Kansas Metropolis, believed in Vick when perception was in brief provide. He stood by him throughout media firestorms and company desertion. He even despatched a congratulatory message final yr when Vick acquired the Norfolk job: “Man, is that college fortunate to have you ever… I really like you and I do know you are gonna do an awesome job,” Reid mentioned, per NBC Sports activities.
That message hit dwelling for Vick-because Reid did not simply give him a roster spot. He gave him a blueprint.
From Redemption to Management
Norfolk State went 4-8 final season. This system hasn’t been related on the nationwide stage in a very long time. However they only employed a head coach who’s lived via the worst of it-and got here out wiser.
Again in April, Vick informed WAVY TV 10,“Andy helped me develop up as a person. I used to be 29 once I acquired to him-and that is actually once I hit my prime, mentally.”
Now Vick is targeted on extra than simply Xs and Os. He is constructing a tradition. He is instructing children what it means to rebuild, to remain grounded, to take that second likelihood severely.
He is teaching soccer, certain. However greater than that, he is teaching life.
