Michael Vick

Seeing Stars

words by > Bret Love
photography by > Cameron Krone

BEHIND THE FACE MASK

*Gridiron god Michael Vick reveals the man behind the myth.

From the gods of ancient Greece to Star Wars, mankind has always loved mythological heroes. “A hero,” wrote The Power of Myth author Joseph Campbell, “is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself.” These larger-than-life fi gures not only encourage us to believe in something greater, but also inspire us to believe that we, too, might be capable of achieving greatness. But as much as we savor watching our heroes soar like Icarus, there’s a certain satisfaction some seem to get in watching them crash and burn.

Atlanta Falcons superstar Michael Vick has never singed his wings, but some critics say he hasn’t yet fl own as high as he could either. The burden of expectation has weighed heavily upon his shoulders since 1999, when the 19-year-old QB led Virginia Tech through an undefeated regular season to a Sugar Bowl showdown with FSU, passing for 1,840 yards and 12 touchdowns while rushing for 585 yards and eight TDs. After fi nishing third in Heisman voting and winning the ESPY Award for the nation’s top NCAA football player during his freshman year, Vick elected to go pro following his sophomore year, drafted by Atlanta with the #1 pick.

Signed to a six-year deal worth over $60 million, Vick was forced to start in his rookie year due to Chris Chandler’s injuries, and was subsequently plagued by turnovers. But in his fi rst full season as a starter, he led the Dirty Birds to a shocking fi rst-round playoff victory over the tough-as-nails Packers, throwing for nearly 3,000 yards and running for nearly 800 while accounting for 24 touchdowns. The team has been on a rollercoaster ride ever since, with coach Dan Reeves fi red after an abysmal 5-11 2003 season, only to make the NFC Championship during a 2004 season in which Vick was plagued by injuries.

Regardless of what armchair quarterbacks may say about Vick’s performance, his unique abilities make him one of the league’s most respected players, and the human highlight reel is universally considered a class act. Quiet and humble in a sport where brash boastfulness is the norm, Vick seems content to let his skills speak for themselves, carrying himself with a serene dignity that belies his tough past. Raised by his mother Sheila in the tough ghettos of Virginia, Vick looked up to cousin Aaron Brooks (now QB for the Oakland Raiders) and high school coach Tommy Reamon (who serves on the board of Vick’s charity foundation) for guidance, in football and in life.

Looking at him now, showing up for our photo shoot dressed like any other twentysomething in baggy shorts and a casual dress shirt, you’d never suspect Vick ranks with Tom Brady and Peyton Manning among the NFL’s most talented QBs. Vick reveals a bit of the thoughtful man behind the myth, discussing the diffi cult past he’s overcome and the future dreams he aspires to accomplish.

Your mom was a teenager when you were born. How infl uential was she on the man you became?
Very influential. There were a lot of things I didn’t get from a fatherly standpoint, but she provided that for me. I grew up fast because she had me so young, but she managed to teach us all the things in life that kept us out of trouble and away from the streets. I had a lot of other positive infl uences around me, and that helped. But she taught me never to bite the hand that feeds me. A lot of people come into your life, some good and some bad, and you need to show respect and loyalty to those who are looking out for your best interests. That’s the code we always honored growing up.

When you were growing up in the projects, did you ever imagine you’d be the huge star you are today?
(Laughs) It was all a dream, and it seemed so far-fetched it could never be accomplished. When you’re young, you’re not really optimistic about things. It’s such a tough road you have to take to get there, with a lot of obstacles you have to overcome. Luckily I was able to keep sight of my best interests and those of my family. But you can’t just say, “This is what I’m gonna do.” You have to work hard for it, and that was the biggest challenge.

You were named a preseason All-American before your senior year of high school, yet your performance was overshadowed by cross-town rival QB Ronald Curry, whose team beat yours every time. Is it frustrating to deliver record-breaking individual performances, yet still have your team lose?
It was hard for me, but at the same time not getting the respect I deserved gave me the motivation to be the best at what I do. I felt like once I went to college at Virginia Tech, the talent around me would be as good as any team in the country. From the fi rst snap I took in college, the sky was the limit.

Your high school coach’s nephew, CJ Reamon, is now your right-hand man. Is it important to you to have people who knew you before you were a star around to help you stay grounded?
That’s very important. When you’re making decisions about your life, you need people who care about your well-being and aren’t afraid to step in and tell you if you’re making a bad decision.

If I hadn’t had Coach Reamon in my life, things might not have turned out the way they did. Coach was basically the only guy who could get in my head when it came to talking about school and grades and what was most important. He was the only person around me every day who could reach out to me and touch me, so I respected him and his opinions.

A lot of hype surrounded you after your freshman year of college. How did that change your life?
In a major way! I wasn’t used to the notoriety, with people coming up and asking for autographs. It seemed to happen overnight.

I was just doing what I loved to do. From that point on, I had confi dence, but it brought a lot of added pressure to perform at that level every season. Ever since then, it’s been the standard I’ve been trying to live up to.

Do you ever yearn for the anonymity of being an average Joe?
Nah, it’s just the price that comes with being great at what you do. I wasn’t ready to accept that when I fi rst got drafted, but it was a role I grew into. Being in the public eye wasn’t something I was looking forward to when I thought about playing in the NFL. Endorsements, appearances, commercials… it was all very overwhelming at fi rst.

What was your reaction when you found out your pick was dealt to Atlanta?
I was surprised, because for four months I thought I was going to San Diego. Then, the night before the draft, everything changed. But it changed for the better, if you ask me. Atlanta is closer to Newport News, Virginia [where he lives in the off-season], and it’s a great city that was hurting for a playoff-contending football team. There’s so much going on here and so much opportunity in the community.

Some armchair quarterbacks have criticized your performance. How much expectation do you feel it’s reasonable to put on one player to carry a whole team?
What those people need to understand is that it takes 11 players on each side of the ball to win a game. I can be doing my job all day, but if somebody else isn’t doing their job, what good is it?

How do you define success?
It’s a combination of personal achievement and team achievement. It’s about being able to do the things you want to do, but it has to come through hard work. Because then, when you achieve it, the feeling is even sweeter. But you don’t want to experience success by yourself. You want to experience it with your teammates. You don’t play for individual stats. If you’re good, you’re gonna get named to the Pro Bowl and get those kinds of accolades anyway. What matters most is the common goal you’re all working for—winning a championship.

What are your goals, both personally and for the team, for the upcoming season?
My personal goal is to give 110% every time I step on the fi eld and give my team everything I can give ‘em. My goal for the team is to ultimately win the Super Bowl. I feel like I’m in my prime right now, and a lot of the other guys feel the same way, so there ain’t nothin’ to it but to go out there and do it.