Michael Vick
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Michael Dwayne Vick (born June 26, 1980 in Newport News, Virginia) is an American football quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons NFL franchise. He is the older brother of current Virginia Tech quarterback Marcus Vick and cousin of New Orleans Saints quarterback Aaron Brooks.
Vick played college football for Virginia Tech and led the Hokies to the 2000 Bowl Championship Series national title game in the Nokia Sugar Bowl against Florida State University.
In 2001, the Atlanta Falcons selected him as the 1st overall pick in the NFL Draft. On January 4, 2003, the Atlanta Falcons led by Michael Vick stunned the Green Bay Packers by breaking the undefeated streak for the Packers at Lambeau Field in the playoffs. During a 2003 pre-season game against the Baltimore Ravens, Michael Vick fractured his right fibula and missed most of the 2003 NFL season. Upon his return, the Falcons beat the Carolina Panthers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Jacksonville Jaguars, going 3-1 in the final four games of the 2003 season. In 2004, he led the Falcons to a record of 11-5, earning a first-round bye in the NFL Playoffs for only the third time in franchise history. The Falcons' 2004 season ended with a defeat at the hands of the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Conference Championship game.
Vick is noted for his unique, explosive playing style. He is considered by many to be the most exciting player in the game of football and he has earned the nickname "Superman." Gifted with extraordinary speed and athletic ability, he can engineer big plays with both his arms and his legs. In the 2004 football season (including post season), he rushed for over 1,000 yards, which is a higher rushing total than many running backs in the NFL. Vick's mobility has often caused major problems for opposing defenses, which have to defend against him differently than they would against a conventional-style quarterback. Whereas most quarterbacks are not a major threat to run the ball for a lot of yards, Vick is capable of breaking huge runs from anywhere on the field. Additionally, he has often been able to buy more time to throw by evading pass rushers with his spectacular agility and speed. Thus, opposing defenses must find ways to constrict Vick's running lanes in order to contain him.
EA Sports chose Vick to be on the cover for their popular Madden NFL 2004 football video game. He also appeared in a Powerade television commercial featuring a handheld camera view of him during practice knocking receivers off their feet with his passes and then throwing a ball 100+ yards into the upper deck of the stadium. However, most of the commercial's effects were created by a computer so Vick didn't actually throw a ball that far.
In March 2005, Sonya Elliot filed a lawsuit against Vick claiming he passed on herpes to her without telling her he had the STD. She also alleged that Vick had visited clinics under the alias Ron Mexico, and therefore knew of his condition.
External links
- Official Website (http://www.mikevick.com)
- Michael Vick at NFL.com (http://www.nfl.com/players/playerpage/235253)
- The Smoking Gun - Michael Vick Hit With Sex Suit (http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/0405051vick1.html)