Playmaker, trailblazer, pariah—celebrated yet condemned. Michael Vick’s NFL journey was anything but ordinary. From being the #1 overall pick as a QB to the richest weapon ($130 million) of the Atlanta Hawks, Vick also faced a 23-month sentence for his alleged involvement with dogfights during his prime years. “Your career, freedom, and public standing are now in the most serious jeopardy,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell banned the Hawks’ QB for two seasons. Well, the Virginia native did return to the NFL and was even awarded the CPOY in 2010, but those two years remain the “lowest moment” in his life. 15 years after his ban, the Norfolk HC has now come clean on his dark chapter.

Vick started from where he had left off. Rather, he leveled up, taking up the first official head coach tenure in his life as Norfolk State University granted him a chance. The team capped off the last season with a poor record of 4-8. However, the new head coach is already preparing to overcome his past mistakes and lead the Spartans back to their glory days. But the question is, can the 44-year-old overcome the past that gets tagged every time there is mention of his name?

During the last 15 years, Vick has gone through transitions that no one would ever want, perhaps. The public outrage, the unbridled social hatred, and a tale of self-proclaimed misfortune blurred his vision. Now, fast forward to 2025, did the bad test in the mouth prevail?

“You’ve got to just look at everything like a man. You take responsibility like, bro, I knew what I was doing when I got into this, I knew the consequences behind it,” the Norfolk State head coach opened up about his feelings over past misery in a raw conversation with Gilbert Arenas. “I knew it was a point in time where this could all blow up; did I want that to happen? He-l no. Did it happen? Yes.” No silly howling, no desperate cover-up, just pure and simple acceptance of the mess and the insights through it.

“I asked God like, “Man, why does this have to happen to me?” But I already knew I was taking those chances, and you know I had every opportunity to walk away from it or correct it at certain points in my life, and just never did,” Vick slammed himself for not waking up early in the dumps. He returned to the NFL in 2010 with the Philadelphia Eagles. He continued writing a legacy in the field, winning the Comeback Player of the Year, but couldn’t change the air of controversy around him. Animal rights advocates have continued to rant against him on the public forum. The scoreboard lit up, but the vibe left the book.

Time cannot go backward. So, there is nothing that we can do to fix what’s in history. But keeping it to the senses, reminding yourself not to walk back to those woes every time they sting, is how an adult claims back his power. Vick is one of those who turned his story. “Responsibility is everything, so I had to hold myself accountable, and you know, even though it hurt like man, look, I can’t cry over spilled milk. But that hurt me more than anything.” The Spartans’ head coach learned the lesson the hardest way.

But the good news is that things are falling back into place, slowly but steadily.

Norfolk State is embracing Michael Vick beyond a life-changing controversy 

The Spartans just came fresh out of the spring. The stadium cheered loudly as Norfolk State kicked off its preseason trials. The area was bustling with local and national media crowds that flocked there to cover the historic event. The atmosphere at William “Dick” Price Stadium was nothing but surreal, indicating a subtle yet warm welcome to their new head coach, the controversial Virginia State product.

The faith didn’t go in vain. Vick showcased promise in the first chance he got. USF transfer Israel Carter looked extraordinary in his prowess as he looks to take the torch as the Spartans’ QB1 in 2025. The rest of the roster also turned heads, speaking volumes about their potential this fall.

Virginia legends Allen Iverson and Tyrod Taylor, among other notable names, adorned the festivities and spoke highly of Vick and his era at Norfolk State in progress. “It’s a beautiful feeling just to be out here and see all the people out here. Just embracing Mike [Vick] and what he’s trying to do and Norfolk State…just, I’m here,” the basketball legend matched up the vibe that the entire state had been oozing out. The time ahead is a crucial watch out for both Vick and the Spartans, as their new man in charge isn’t here just to win the games but to fix his crown back with all the rights preserved.