Career Timeline of Michael Vick: Major Achievements and Milestones

Discover the career path of Michael Vick, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Michael Vick is a former NFL quarterback and current college football coach, notable for his exceptional rushing ability. He played college football at Virginia Tech, where he won the Archie Griffin Award. Drafted first overall by the Atlanta Falcons in 2001, he earned three Pro Bowl selections and led the team to multiple playoff appearances, including an NFC Championship Game. He was the NFL's all-time leader in quarterback rushing yards upon retirement. He currently serves as the head football coach for the Norfolk State Spartans.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1986: Win Against Syracuse at the Carrier Dome

During the 2000 season, Michael Vick led the Hokies to beat Syracuse at the Carrier Dome, where the Hokies had not won since 1986.

1999: First collegiate game for Virginia Tech

In 1999, Michael Vick played his first collegiate game for Virginia Tech against James Madison, scoring three rushing touchdowns. He also led the Hokies to an 11-0 undefeated season.

2000: 210 rushing yards against Boston College

During the 2000 season, Michael Vick had a career-high rushing total of 210 yards against Boston College.

2000: Selected in the MLB draft

In 2000, Michael Vick was selected in the 30th round of the Major League Baseball draft by the Colorado Rockies, despite not playing baseball since the eighth grade.

September 9, 2001: NFL Debut

On September 9, 2001, Michael Vick made his NFL debut against the San Francisco 49ers.

2001: Vick signs marketing agreement with Joel Enterprises

In 2001, Michael Vick signed a five-year marketing agreement with Joel Enterprises, nine days before announcing he was leaving Virginia Tech early and declaring himself eligible for the NFL Draft.

2001: Selected first overall in the 2001 NFL draft

In 2001, Michael Vick was selected first overall by the Atlanta Falcons in the NFL draft after playing college football at Virginia Tech.

2001: Beginning of NFL career

Michael Vick was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the 2001 NFL draft.

January 6, 2002: Season finale against the St. Louis Rams

On January 6, 2002, Michael Vick accounted for 234 of Atlanta's 255 yards in the season finale against the St. Louis Rams.

2002: Played 15 games

In 2002, Michael Vick made 15 starts, missing one game due to a sprained shoulder and set single-game career highs during the season.

January 4, 2003: Upset victory over the Green Bay Packers

On January 4, 2003, Michael Vick led the Falcons to an upset victory over the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Wild Card Round.

October 31, 2004: First quarterback to pass for 250+ yards and rush for 100+ yards in the same game

On October 31, 2004, Michael Vick became the first quarterback to throw for more than 250 yards and rush for over 100 yards in the same game, during a game against the Denver Broncos.

2004: Vick signs new contract with Falcons

In 2004, Vick signed a new contract with the Atlanta Falcons. Later, an arbitrator ruled that Vick knew he was engaging in illegal activity when he signed his new contract in 2004, and that he had used the bonus money to pay for the dog fighting operation.

2004: Falcons sought to recover a portion of Vick's signing bonus

In 2004, the Atlanta Falcons sought to recover a portion of Michael Vick's $37 million signing bonus.

2005: Third Pro Bowl

Michael Vick made his third Pro Bowl after the 2005 season, but the Falcons missed the playoffs.

June 2006: Establishment of The Vick Foundation

In June 2006, Michael Vick, along with his brother Marcus and mother Brenda, established The Vick Foundation to support at-risk youth with after-school programs in the Metro Atlanta and Hampton Roads areas. The announcement preceded the Michael Vick Golf Classic fundraiser.

December 2006: Vick's last scores since December 2006

In week 13 against the Atlanta Falcons, Vick both threw and ran for a touchdown, his first scores since December 2006.

2006: Vick's annual income estimated at $25.4 million

At the end of 2006, Sports Illustrated magazine estimated Michael Vick's annual income between his NFL salary and endorsements at $25.4 million.

2006: First quarterback to rush for over 1,000 yards in a single season

In 2006, Michael Vick became the first quarterback to rush for over 1,000 yards in a single season. Despite this record, the Falcons missed the playoffs.

April 16, 2007: Donation after Virginia Tech massacre

On April 16, 2007, after the Virginia Tech massacre, Michael Vick and the United Way donated $10,000 to assist affected families. The Vick Foundation also collected donations to support funeral expenses and family transportation.

August 2007: NFL suspends Vick indefinitely

In August 2007, after Vick pleaded guilty to federal charges in the Bad Newz Kennels dog fighting investigation, the NFL suspended him indefinitely without pay for violating its player conduct policy. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell cited Vick's admission to illegal and cruel conduct. Goodell left open the possibility of reinstatement depending on Vick's cooperation. Vick was barred from reporting to training camp, and bail terms prevented him from playing in 2007.

2007: Speculation about Vick's future career

In 2007, amid his suspension and incarceration, there was much conjecture about Vick's return to professional football. ESPN's John Clayton suggested few general managers would take a chance on Vick due to potential backlash. He also said that the CFL banned players currently suspended by the NFL, and that it would be nearly impossible for a convicted felon to get a Canadian work visa. Clayton thought that Vick would be "unstoppable" if he decided to play in the Arena Football League in 2007.

August 13, 2009: Vick signs with Philadelphia Eagles

On August 13, 2009, Vick signed a one-year, $1.6 million contract with the Philadelphia Eagles, with a team option for 2010. He was allowed to participate in practices and preseason games and was eligible to play in the third week of the regular season.

October 2009: Nike provides complimentary gear to Vick

Starting in October 2009, Nike began supplying Michael Vick with complimentary athletic gear.

2009: Signed with the Philadelphia Eagles

In 2009, Michael Vick signed with the Philadelphia Eagles after serving his prison sentence.

2009: Steelers Considered Signing Vick in 2009

The Steelers had considered signing Vick in 2009—both Vick and Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin are from the same part of Virginia and know each other well personally—but decided against it due to potential backlash since Vick at the time hadn't proven himself following his release from prison.

January 9, 2010: Vick throws touchdown in Wild Card game

On January 9, 2010, in the NFC Wild Card Round game against the Dallas Cowboys, Vick threw the longest touchdown pass of his career to rookie Jeremy Maclin for 76-yards. The Eagles lost the game 34–14.

2010: Comeback Player of the Year

In 2010, Michael Vick had his greatest statistical season with the Eagles, leading the team to a division title and earning him Comeback Player of the Year and a fourth Pro Bowl selection.

2010: Vick's payments

In 2010, Michael Vick paid his agent, Joel Segal, $32,500 and his bankruptcy lawyers $748,750.

2010: Eagles exercise option for Vick

In 2010, the Eagles exercised the option in Vick's contract and Vick received a $1.5 million roster bonus.

2010: Vick's performance against the Redskins

In a Week 10 Monday Night Football matchup against the Washington Redskins on November 14, 2010, Vick passed for 333 yards and four touchdowns, while rushing for 80 yards and another two touchdowns. He earned NFC Offensive Player of the Week. The Pro Football Hall of Fame asked for his game jersey to display after he became the first player to pass for three touchdowns and rush for two touchdowns in the first half of a game.

January 27, 2011: Vick signs endorsement deal with Unequal Technologies

On January 27, 2011, Michael Vick signed a two-year endorsement deal with Unequal Technologies, a company that produces football pads, marking his first endorsement after being released from prison.

July 1, 2011: Nike re-signs Vick as an athlete

On July 1, 2011, Nike officially re-signed Michael Vick as an athlete. Nike had been providing Vick with complimentary gear since October 2009. This marked the first time the company brought back an athlete after dropping him.

2011: Vick lobbies for Animal Fighting Spectator Prohibition Act

In 2011, Michael Vick lobbied for H.R. 2492, the Animal Fighting Spectator Prohibition Act.

2011: Vick's payments

In 2011, Michael Vick paid his agent, Joel Segal, $104,000 and his bankruptcy lawyers $1 million.

2011: Vick's 2011 season with the Eagles

In the 2011 season, Vick appeared in and started 13 games for the Eagles. He finished with 3,303 passing yards, 18 passing touchdowns, and 14 interceptions, along with 76 carries for 589 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown. Philadelphia finished the 2011 season with an 8–8 record.

January 1, 2012: Eagles victory over Washington

The final game of the 2011 season was a 34–10 victory on January 1, 2012, at home against Washington. Vick completed 24 of 39 passes for 335 yards and three touchdowns.

2012: Vick launches V7 clothing line

In 2012, Michael Vick launched a sports clothing line called V7, sold exclusively at Modell's. Part of the proceeds was intended to benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Philadelphia.

2012: Vick's payments

In 2012, Michael Vick was scheduled to pay his agent Joel Segal $160,000.

2012: Vick starts 2012 season with the Eagles

Michael Vick began the 2012 season as the starting quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles won the first game against the Cleveland Browns despite Vick throwing four interceptions, but after a series of mixed results, calls for coach Andy Reid to replace Vick intensified.

February 11, 2013: Vick and Eagles agree to contract

On February 11, 2013, the Eagles and Vick agreed on a one-year restructured contract worth up to $10 million. After a stellar preseason, Vick reclaimed his starting job from Foles, who was named Vick's backup.

March 21, 2014: Vick signs with New York Jets

On March 21, 2014, Vick signed a one-year $5 million contract with the New York Jets, the same day the Jets released Mark Sanchez.

August 25, 2015: Vick signs with Pittsburgh Steelers

On August 25, 2015, Vick signed a one-year contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers worth $970,000.

2015: Vick's payments

In 2015, Michael Vick was scheduled to pay his agent Joel Segal $160,000.

2016: Free Agent

In 2016, Michael Vick spent the NFL season as a free agent before officially retiring in 2017.

2016: Vick plans one more season in NFL

In 2016, Vick announced he would play one more season in the NFL.

February 3, 2017: Vick officially announces retirement

On February 3, 2017, after not signing with a team all season, Vick officially announced his retirement from professional football.

June 12, 2017: Vick retires as an Atlanta Falcon

On June 12, 2017, Vick retired as an Atlanta Falcon.

June 28, 2017: Vick joins American Flag Football League

On June 28, 2017, Vick began participating in the newly formed American Flag Football League, serving as captain of Team Vick.

2017: Vick joins Chiefs as coaching intern and becomes NFL analyst

During their 2017 training camp, Vick joined his former coach Andy Reid as a coaching intern with the Kansas City Chiefs. After the Chiefs concluded their 2017 training camp, he became an NFL analyst on Fox NFL Kickoff on FS1.

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2017: Official Retirement

In 2017, Michael Vick officially retired from the NFL after spending the 2016 season as a free agent.

April 25, 2018: Vick hired as offensive coordinator for Atlanta Legends

On April 25, 2018, Vick was hired as offensive coordinator for the Atlanta Legends of the Alliance of American Football. Shortly before the season began, he became a consultant for the team.