Not that this was a huge question on everyone’s mind heading into Super Bowl LI, but Michael Vick told ESPN’s Josina Anderson he’s officially retired from the NFL.
THIS JUST IN: Michael Vick tells @JosinaAnderson that he's officially retired from the NFL. pic.twitter.com/0sN66Ggo52
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) February 3, 2017
Selected with the first overall pick of the 2001 NFL Draft out of Virginia Tech, Vick enthralled us in his first years out of college like nobody else during that time period. A player who could run like the wind and flick deep passes without any real appearance of effort, his electric style of play led to some of the wildest highlights the NFL had ever seen and has seen since.
The dual-threat quarterback took the Falcons to the playoffs in his second season as a pro, winning the first game against the Green Bay Packers. After breaking his leg in 2003, he led Atlanta to an 11-4 record in 2004 and took the Falcons to the NFC Championship Game, only to be beaten by Donovan McNabb and the Philadelphia Eagles.
He finished his tenure in Atlanta with a dark cloud over his head after being caught at the center of an illegal dog-fighting ring. He was incarcerated for his crimes and returned to the NFL in 2009 as a member of the Eagles. Vick spent five years in Philly before landing with the New York Jets in 2014 and the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2015. He did not play for a team this past season.
All told, Vick played 13 seasons in the NFL, compiling a career record of 61-51-1 as a starter. He finished with 22,464 passing yards, 133 passing touchdowns and 88 interceptions, adding another 6,109 yards and 36 touchdowns on the ground.