Rare Photos of Michael Vick

SI Staff | Aug 30, 2011

Rare Photos of Michael Vick /

Rare Photos of Michael Vick

Michael Vick

On Monday, the Eagles signed Michael Vick to a six-year, $100 million contract with $40 million guaranteed. It's been a unique journey for Vick - from college and NFL stardom to prison and back to stardom. Here are some rare photos of the Eagles' star QB. Vick burst onto the scene in 1999, when he scored three rushing touchdowns in his first quarter of college football. He would go on to redefine the role of quarterback as he led Virginia Tech to an 11-0 season and an appearance in the national championship game, a 46-29 loss to Florida State.

Drew Brees, Joe Hamilton, Ron Dayne, Michael Vick and Chad Pennington

Vick put up great numbers as a freshman, passing for 1,840 yards and 12 touchdowns while rushing for 585 yards and eight scores. His performance made him a Heisman Trophy finalist, finishing third behind Ron Dayne and Josh Hamilton. He joined Herschel Walker (Georgia, 1980) and Clint Castleberry (Georgia Tech, 1942) as the only freshmen to place that high in the voting.

Michael Vick

Vick worked hard in the offseason, increasing his 40 time to an incredible 4.25 seconds.

Michael Vick

When not in the gym, Vick would unwind by going fishing.

Michael Vick and Butter

After a stellar season, the redshirt sophomore decided to forgo his final two seasons at Virginia Tech and enter the NFL Draft. In this photo, Vick and his bodyguard Butter wait to go to lunch with coaches from the San Diego Chargers.

Michael Vick

Vick holds up an Atlanta Falcons jersey after being selected as the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft. Vick is surrounded by members of his family, including his mother, Brenda Boddie.

Michael and Marcus Vick

Vick and his brother, Marcus, participate in a charity flag-football game. Marcus also played quarterback for Virginia Tech but was dismissed from the team in 2006 after a number of legal troubles. He played briefly for the Dolphins later that year, but his contract was not renewed and he never again played in the NFL.

Simeon Rice, Michael Vick and Warren Sapp

Upon entering the NFL, Vick quickly frustrated defenses with his speed and throwing ability. In 2002, his first full season as the Falcon's QB, Vick threw for 2,936 yards with 16 touchdowns while gaining 777 yards on the ground.

Michael Vick

Vick's fourth season was a disappointment as the Falcons QB fractured his right fibula during a preseason game and was forced out of action for 12 weeks.

Michael Vick and Arthur Blank

Falcons team owner Arthur Blank pushes Vick around the sideline during a game against the Falcons. The owner once referred to Vick as his surrogate son and regularly invited him to his Buckhead estate, where Vick played video games with Blank's six children.

Michael Vick

Vick returned from injury to play the final five games of the the 2003 season. In 2004, he made his second Pro Bowl after throwing for 2,313 yards and gaining another 902 yards on the ground (third all time by an NFL QB). The Falcons would finish 11-5 and advance to the NFC Championship Game, where they were defeated by the Eagles.

Michael Vick

A group of children from the Michael Vick Football Camp walk with the quarterback after a morning workout.

Michael Vick, Arthur Blank and Jim Mora

Vick poses with owner Arthur Blank and coach Jim Mora at a press conference in Tokyo before the NFL's annual American Bowl between the Falcons and Colts. Atlanta would win the preseason game, 27-21.

Michael Vick

Heading into the 2005 season, Falcon fans were hoping for the first back-to-back winning seasons in franchise history. After an 8-5 start, Atlanta dropped its final three games to finish with a .500 record. Vick started 15 games and threw for 2,412 yards. He ran for another 597 yards and led the NFL with 5.9 yards per carry.

Michael Vick

Vick's world came to a crashing halt in April 2007, when he was named a key figure in the investigation of the Bad Newz Kennel, an illegal dog fighting operation. He was suspended indefinitely by the NFL and sentenced to 23 months in federal prison.

Michael Vick

In May 2009, Vick was released from a federal prison after serving 19 months of a 23-month sentence. He would go on to serve two more months of home confinement in Virginia before returning to the NFL.

Frank Beamer, DeAngelo Hall, Michael Vick, Bruce Smith and Roger Goodell

Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell pose with former Tech players DeAngelo Hall, Michael Vick and Bruce Smith before the start of the NFL draft. The commissioner asked the alums to attend the draft in the aftermath of the Virginia Tech massacre in which a student killed 32 people during a shooting spree.

Michael Vick Protesters

Protesters hold signs outside Surry County Circuit Court where Vick pled guilty to two felony counts connected to dog fighting.

Donovan McNabb and Michael Vick

After a 19-month prison term, Vick signed a one-year contract to play for the Philadelphia Eagles. Though many protested his reinstatement, Philadelphia was an ideal landing spot for Vick because its starting quarterback, Donovan McNabb, had a history of injury problems.

Michael Vick

Vick finally got his opportunity in Week 13 against the Falcons, when he threw for a touchdown and ran for another against his former team. It was the first time he reached the end zone since 2006.

Michael Vick, Rocsi and Terrence J.

Vick visits BET's 106 & Park  and poses with hosts Rocsi and Terrence J. at the BET Studios in New York City.

Michael Vick

After replacing an injured Kevin Kolb, Vick sparked MVP talk during the 2010 season. He finished the year with 21 touchdowns, six interceptions and a career-high passer rating of 100.2.

Published Aug 30, 2011

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