Why Michael Vick as Sacramento State’s football coach could have been a source of pride | Opinion
Michael Vick will not be on the sidelines of Hornet Stadium next year. The NFL legend accepted an offer to coach for Norfolk State University in his homestate of Virginia.
Congratulations are in order for Vick, a man who made some terrible mistakes but has committed his time to reconcile with his past and has dedicated the next chapter in his life to be a leader for young men.
Some in Sacramento should be ashamed for how they responded when it learned that Vick was in talks to be the next head coach of the Sac State football team.
“He doesn’t deserve a second chance. He sure didn’t give those dogs a chance. People remember the cruelty. Do the right thing. No Vick ever!,” one Facebook comment said.
“Is he going to teach how to whack dogs?,” another accountant said.
It has been 17 years since Vick went to prison in 2007 for his involvement in a dog fighting ring and yet this vitriol was spread as if he was just sentenced.
There needs to be a refresher on Vick’s entire story.
A story of perseverance
When Vick donned number seven for the Atlanta Falcons, there was no one like him. He was a dual-threat quarterback before that title was created.
He was the sole reason why I had any chance of beating my brother playing in the sports video game Madden 2004. That year he was unstoppable and I used Vick all the way to victory.
The current NFL has adjusted to the dual-threat quarterback, i.e. Lamar Jackson and Patrick Mahomes, but Vick played in a time where no one was doing what he was doing. It was like watching an alien play football every Sunday, an alien who could rush for 100 yards and pass for 300.
After Vick served his 21-month sentence, he was reinstated by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell in 2009. He signed with the Eagles as a backup to Quarterback at the time Donavan Mcnabb. When he was the starter in 2010, Vick had one of the best seasons in his career. He led the Eagles to a division title, throwing for 3,018 yards and 21 touchdowns, and rushing for 676 yards and 9 rushing touchdowns.
While I disagreed with Vick becoming the head coach, my reason was his lack of experience as a head coach and my belief that Sac State needs an experienced coach to bounce back from a frustrating 2024 season. But if Sac State had hired Vick, our local university could have embarked on something exciting and special with Vick.
Sac State President Luke Wood has made a career supporting rehabilitation for formerly incarcerated people. The university currently has two programs that help formerly and currently incarcerated Californians get their educations—TOPSS and Project Rebound. Partnering with someone like Vick would have honored the commitment that Wood and the Hornets have made to giving people a second chance at life.
A better chapter for Vick
Vick did something that not many players also with dark pasts would do: he owned his past transgressions. After he was released from prison, he committed to speaking out against animal cruelty. In 2012 he became a spokesperson for the Humane Society of the United States.
As a player, Vick faced up to mistakes that tarnished his accomplishments in the view of the public. He is now embarking on a new chapter as a man who has learned from his mistakes and wants to put his leadership abilities to the test. Good for him.
Sacramento State was open enough to give him a chance and that’s something that the community should be proud of.
Canceling a man for his past when he has paid his debt to society is wrong.
Vick has proven that he is worthy of a second chance.Those who don’t believe that aren’t looking at the whole story.
