Michael Vick | Sports Issue 2018

How did you know you
were good enough to
play in the NFL?
I mean it was easy for
me, lol. I always dominated
the kids in the neighborhood
growing up. It
was easy to score, to get
a first down, and to pass
the ball, but I worked
hard at it. I would watch
football all weekend; I
was a football addict at
a young age. I just had a
dream, and I don’t know
if people dream like I did
or wanted the same thing
I wanted from football
but I can say that I went
out and got it. I found
ways to set myself apart
and I think I was able to
do it and stand out.
What was your most
pivotal/influential
moment in your career
history?
I would have to say winning
comeback player of
the year. That was a title
I wanted and yearned for
a while away in prison.
To be able to come back
and play again and to
step out on the field with
no accolades attached.
I didn’t want to come
back winning the super
bowl in my first year
to shut people up, nor
have some form of ego
or pride; I didn’t want to
use any of that as motivation.
My motivation
w a s
simply
to play again and finish
accomplishing what I
love to do while doing
it right and showing the
NFL that I am still worthy
enough. Winning that
title showed everything,
and it’s a trophy that I
will cherish forever.
“..it’s important for people
to know that we are not just
athletes, but we can be
black influentials, moguls and
be iconic.”
As a role model, do
you feel any outside
pressures from the
world to be the best
version of you as possible?
When people look at
you as a role model, you
are being held to a higher
standard than most.
To look at it as if there
are added pressures,
the answer would be
yes. You have millions of
kids, who are patterning
themselves after you and
if that’s what it takes to
stay motivated or take
on the likeness of a role
model then I think, it’s
my obligations to live
up to it, especially since
people are holding me
to such a high standard.
I understand that all eyes
are on me. I know that
everything I do will be
scrutinized and telecasted,
so I try to make the best
decisions and use the
right judgments. I try
to teach these same responsibilities
to kids as
well.
Explain the difference
in feeling from the first
time you ever stepped
onto the field as a new
signee vs. after prison.
The first t ime I s tepped
on the field I was a rookie,
everything was unfamiliar
and I was just glad
to know that I would be
able to put on a NFL uniform
to accomplish a lifelong
dream. When I came
back in 2009, it was the
same feeling. Proving to
myself and others that I
belong and that I still had
something to offer. What
I would say the difference
between these two
times in my life was my
maturity level.
Why is it important to
have ownership as an
African American?
It’s very important, we
are setting the example
for the generations to
come. Everything will
add to the legacy we
leave behind. Also, it’s
important for people to
know that we are not
just athletes, but we can
be black influentials, moguls
and be iconic.
What are your
thoughts on the political
rise in the NFL and
how players are being
treated?
I think people are now
willing to listen and are
becoming aware that
athletes do have a voice
and we do have a presence.
That’s one of the
41 The Quintessential Gentleman | Spring 2018