Michael Vick
That wasn't the way that things was supposed to be. And all because the so-called culture that I thought was right, that I thought it was cool, and I thought it was fun, and it was exciting at the time. It all led to me laying in a prison bunk by myself with no one to talk to but myself.Collection: Cool
I stand before you a changed man. Use me as an example of an instrument of change.Collection: Change
I mean, I was just one of the ones who got exposed, and because of the position I was in, where I was in my life, it went mainstream. A lot of people got out of it after my situation, not because I went to prison but because it was sad for them to see me go through something that was so pointless, that could have been avoided.Collection: Sad
I don't think teams play this game to hurt other guys. I don't think that's the story. We don't play this game to hurt one another.
During my time in prison, I told myself that I wanted to be a part of the solution and not the problem.
The first day I walked into prison, and he slammed that door, I knew the magnitude of the decision that I made, and the poor judgment, and what I allowed to happen to the animals. And, you know, it's no way of explaining the hurt and the guilt that I felt. And that was the reason I cried so many nights.
I have always been an outstanding football player, I have always had uncanny abilities, great arm strength, an immense ability to play the game from a quarterback standpoint. The problem was that I wasn't given the liberty to do certain things when I was young.
The reason I became a better player was because I came to Philly.
I just think more precaution should be taken when I'm inside the pocket. Look at all the replays - I'm on the ground every time. It's unfortunate for myself, it's unfortunate for my team and I'd be lying if I sat here and said I wasn't frustrated right now.
There's no reason for me to go into a big dissertation about why I'm not getting the calls. The refs have to do their jobs as well. I even mentioned it in training camp to the refs when we had our little meeting.
What I did, you know, being away from my family, letting so many people down. I let myself down, not being out on the football field, being in a prison bed, in a prison bunk, writing letters home, you know. That wasn't my life.
Yeah, you got the family dog and the white picket fence, and you just think that's all there is. Some of us had to grow up in poverty-stricken urban neighborhoods, and we just had to adapt to our environment. I know that it's wrong. But people act like it's some crazy thing they never heard of. They don't know.
It's an unfortunate situation. After such a great play I felt like I got hit late, no flag, broke my hand. That's it. That's pretty much been the story for the past three weeks, and obviously at some point something catastrophic was going to happen, and I broke my hand.
The good thing is I don't put the ball in my right hand and I'm predominantly left-handed when I'm running the ball. I just have to take care of the football and even if I have two hands that are 100 percent, I still can't turn the ball over. It's just something I have to mentally prepare for, and I think I'm strong enough to do that.
Sometimes as a man, you fear what you can't see. Nobody can predict the future. You don't know what's going to happen. Tomorrow's not promised. The only thing you can do is live your life, hope for the best, continue to have faith, believe in yourself.Collection: Believe
I have two secret weapons -- my legs, my arms and my brain.Collection: Two
You only get one shot at a second chance.Collection: Second Chance
The first day I walked into prison, and he slammed that door, I knew the magnitude of the decision that I made, and the poor judgment, and what I allowed to happen to the animals. And, you know, its no way of explaining the hurt and the guilt that I felt. And that was the reason I cried so many nights.Collection: Hurt
I'm willing to deal with the consequences and accept responsibility for my actions.Collection: Responsibility
If it's meant to be for you, it's going to happen.Collection: Happens
Once I decided football was the way for me, there was no looking back. Nothing was going to distract me.Collection: Football
Use me as an example of an instrument of change.Collection: Example
I would like to own a dog in the future. I think it would be a big step for me in the rehabilitation process.Collection: Dog
It's good to have critics because that's what motivates you and helps you take your game to another level, They talked about Michael Jordan and said he didn't have a jump shot. They say the same thing about me ? I can't throw the football and all that. Say whatever you want about me. It makes me strive harder.Collection: Football
People respect me; I respect them. I'll never change. I realize who I am.Collection: Who I Am
It was hard to get away from all of the people that I thought had my best interest at heart, and they really didn't.Collection: Heart
I know I'm good. I know I got game.Collection: Games
It's good to have critics because that's what motivates you and helps you take your game to another level.Collection: Games
I have 2 weapons; my arms, my legs and my brain.Collection: Funny
I don't think the NFL has ever seen the likes of me, a quarterback who moves the way I do and throws the way I do. I'm not saying that with arrogance or anything. That is just how I feel.Collection: Moving
It's always something that's going to be a part of me. It's the reason why I work so hard each and every day. It's the reason I come to work dedicated to become the best that I can be. Nothing's going to come easy in life, and I've learned a lot of lessons, some the hard way, and I think just the things that I've been through have helped mold me into the person I am and what (is in) my future and that's continuing to do things the right way.Collection: Sports
I miss dogs, man. I always had a family pet, always had a dog growing up. It was almost equivalent to the prison sentence, having something taken away from me for three years. I want a dog just for the sake of my kids, but also me. I miss my companions.Collection: Dog
Sports kept me off the streets. It kept me from getting into what was going on, the bad stuff.Collection: Sports
Everybody who knows me knows how I get down.Collection: Know Me
The beginning of my love for football goes back to when I was seven years old. I was spending time with my grandmother, Caletha Vick. I never knew anything about the game until one Sunday afternoon when she turned on the television because the Redskins were playing. They were my Uncle Casey's favorite team-and my grandmother's favorite too. After watching the game with them, I was hooked.Collection: Football
I know I can still play at a high level.Collection: Play
Forever. My brother is not a bad person. The best thing for Marc now is leaving college, getting away from a bunch of people he was around every day. Now he'll have a chance to play in the NFL and have somebody who can be there with him and can guide him in the right direction.Collection: Brother
I'm probably better than I ever was in my career, as far as the mental aspect of the game.Collection: Games
I trust my arm as much as I trust my legs.Collection: Legs
In any offense you put me in, when things break down, I'm going to get outside the pocket and move ... West Coast, East Coast. It doesn't matter. I'm taking off if I have to, to make things happen.Collection: Moving