Vick: 'I just needed a chance'
The Philadelphia Daily News - Eagletarian
Vick: 'I just needed a chance'
Daily News staff
Eagles quarterback Michael Vick was at Hampton University in Virginia to promote his upcoming football camp, which drew about 400 kids last year in its first year.
Vick sat down for an interview with columnist David Teel of the Daily Press in Newport News, Va. You can read the transcript of the Q&A via this link, but here are some snippets that caught our eye:
Q: Coach Mornhinweg came to Williamsburg last summer for a camp with his son. He said then, ‘I think Michael Vick is back.’ Not only physically, but also mentally. So in essence he kind of saw last season coming. Did you?
A: No. Coaches, they can always see it coming. We’ve got the type of coaches who challenge you but at the same time encourage you. They praise you when you’re doing good and let you know when you’re doing bad. All I heard was praise throughout the mini-camps and OTAs, training camp. So I felt I was on the right track, and I just used that as confidence. … I had an opportunity to put it all to work, and it all came to fruition at the end of the day.
Q: Last year was your fourth Pro Bowl season. Any doubt it was the most rewarding?
A: The most rewarding by far. I’m so grateful. Just felt a sense of accomplishment. But at the same time, wanted more. I’m blessed, I thank God for the opportunities I’ve been given and the situation He created for me.
Q: It strikes me you wouldn’t have been able to assume the leadership role you did without a whole lot of support in that locker room.
A: Without the support of the city of Philadelphia, without the support of the Philadelphia Eagles organization, the guys in that locker room, I would have been a wreck. From Day One, I felt a sense of comfort. You can’t ask for much more. … It’s very gratifying at the end of the day when you go through so much and you’re accepted back into the fraternity that you left and a great city. … I appreciate the hard work, I appreciate everything that was given to me, the opportunity, all the sense of hope I got from the fans.
Q: Do you feel a sense of obligation to (Eagles owner) Jeffrey Lurie and to Andy? Because they took a chance on you.
A: I owe a lot to Andy, I owe a lot to Mr. Lurie, I owe a lot to (team president) Joe Banner, my family, the city of Philadelphia, (NFL commissioner) Roger Goodell, Coach Reamon (Tommy Reamon, his high school coach), all the people who believed in me, who gave me the proper advice. … I’m on the right track now, thanks to that group of people.
Q: They all believed in you. Did you always believe?
A: I always believed I could get back to this point. I just needed a chance, and you never know when that chance is going to come. My theory is, Man fears what he can’t see. I couldn’t see it happening or when it was going to happen or where it was going to happen. The only thing I could do was wait, and being incarcerated taught me patience.
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Kudos to Eagles coach Andy Reid, who was in the Poconos yesterday for a fundraiser for Jay Livziey, a Pennsylvania State Trooper from the Swiftwater Barracks, who is suffering from Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.
Reid came in via helicopter with Vai Sikahema from NBC10 to take part in a golf tournament that the family hoped would raise $30,000.
"To give back to somebody like Jay, I think, is an important thing," Reid told reporters, according to the Pocono Record. "I do things like that in Philadelphia. We're out playing football, these guys are out risking their lives. Between the military and the police, to make sure everything's good for us, so I think it's important that you pay respects to them.
"In particular, Jay has not only had bullets, but now he's fighting for his life and so that's a tough deal. Any support I can do there to help, I'd like to do that."
Kudos to the coach and good luck to Jay, hopefully he beats this!— DJ- Michael Vick continues to show that he is a changed man and that the Eagles made the right gamble on him.— DelcoSchmelco
- The Eagles did take a gamble on him and it's worked out for all. I don't think anyone involved saw it playing out the way it did (especially #5), but life is funny like that. He seems to be a new man, is a fine QB, and a big part of the future of the team.— skipintro
The Great Mike Vick— elijah29- Now give us a Super Bowl!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!— shawnmac
Comment removed.- Vick is a changed man and a great QB. win us that Super Bowl— 76ersnut
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Another Sick Vick fluff piece carefully crafted by his handlers....yawn.- Comment removed.
- I agree 100% that the Philly media just continues to grind out the cheeze whiz on this thug. He obviously has a really good PR person, they're making him sound as squeeky clean as Derek Jeter. Sorry guys, I'm not buying what you're selling. I'm not convinced at all, and I really believe it's all a shell game and smoke & mirrors. He's a criminal and a thug.... — BosoxJohnny
- So many people are too blinded by greed, ambition, the blame game or lack of common sense to take advantage of a second chance when it is right in front of them. Many more don't express their thanks for it. Michael Vick has done both and is a better man for it. Now I need to say thank you to him for a very exciting 2010 season, and hope for the same this year.— unbelieveable!
- So far so good....Keep it up Michael....it is a long road back and you certainly appear to making headway.....Just keep working hard, watching film and staying away from all the homies who will drag you down...— nuggett
shawnmac -- agreed!- So did the Dogs!!!!!!!!!— Duck2late
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- It's obvious that Ashley Fox didn't write this piece, because there is nothing negative in it.— Hiding Behind My Keyboard
- Perhaps the best handled and trained athlete in sports history. Has a real future in acting based on his performances over the last few years.— COskier
- It is good to see Michael Vick not only turn his life around, but thank those who got him there. I'm sure there are a few that he forgot...I wish him future success, hopefully as our QB if the lockout ever ends....— PhilliefaninAZ
- Michael Vick had half a good season last year. He ended on a bad note - other teams now know how to play against his style. His ballerina moves are now anticipated and the result is Vick spinning into the arms of defenders for lost yardage. If he has a decent season this year, then maybe some of the accolades and praises of his supporters will be deserved - he started out great, but was not very impressive at the end. He hardly deserves being hailed as a Messiah, not yet. As far as his character, time will tell. His behavior towards dogs was pathological. Pathological individuals, including people who get pleasure from torturing animals, can be very convincing and have a strong likelihood of recidivism, in my professional opinion.— Dr Bri
- ...or five— raoool
- at first, like a lot of people,i thought what has happenened to mike,is just of the signs the almighty sends to us.he done some bad things,now suffer the consquences,and change your ways.we ALL have things we must change.mike,is going thru that..and now has changed his way.negative posters ...ur turn is coming,or has come.so don't look down on a man who has done his wrong,done his punishment,and now trying to get himself and his life on order.mike, i'm glad u are turning the corner,and doing some good for yourself,and others around u.u will never be forgiven,by people,but when your judgement day comes u will be forgiven,and accepted into heaven.so keep your head,heart,and spirit about u.someone will negatively try to bring u down,but stay the course...and it will all work out.stay strong,and continue with what u are going to do. wish u the best,anda good season to come.glad u are playing on the eagles..your ATL jersey is hard to find,but i'll find one......good luck this season,stay strong!! Terry-D.CENTRAL FLORIDA EAGLE FAN..,..— t_darb_56
- Please stay in Virginia. Thug life foreva!— Captain Terrific
- still amazed that this guy is considered a hardened criminal because he killed dogs. Yeah it was crime but damn, you got people who raped and murdered in the NFL and people cheer them on.— tremo12
- Vick the Dog Killer belongs in Jail for LIFE......not on a loser Eagles team where he will never Win a Super bowl! You fans who like Vick should be ashamed of yourselves. At least we have some people who are normal in the NFL unlike Dog killer! Those poor dogs and u morons like someone who did that! GET A LIFE PEOPLE!— MRD
- Anytime coaches and players have benefits,charities,camps,etc.for children,you can't do nothing but applaud thier actions.As for as Vick goes,it seems he's trying to do the right thing. The more positive impact he can have on children the better.Good for him! Keep up the good work!— Geno D
