Philadelphia Eagles: Michael Vick Through The Years and His Path Back To The Top

Michael Vick was simply electrifying early in his career. He had the world in his hands and took it all for granted.

Through a tough journey living in the projects, and an early departure from college football, this former No. 1 pick has grasped a new meaning to the word life.

As human beings, we all learn from our past, and we strive to use what we learned in the past to benefit our future, and the futures of those around us.

The following is a recap of what Michael Vick has been through, and a reminder that second chances must not be taken for granted.

Early Childhood and High School

Michael Vick was born to Brenda Vick and Michael Boddie in Newport News, Virginia. At the time, his parents were unmarried.

Michael was the second of four children, and grew up in the projects. At a young age, in an interview, Vick recognized that he would "go fishing even if the fish weren't biting" just to get away from the hard life in the projects.

Michael Vick was taught football at a very young age by his father, Michael Boddie, because it was an escape from the life of the projects. Michael Vick and brother Marcus also learned a lot about football from their second cousin, Aaron Brooks, who was a quarterback for the New Orleans Saints from 1999-2006.

As a freshman, Vick showed flashes as brilliance. However, the high school he attended was closed, and he was forced to attend Warwick High School, where he started for three years.

Vick passed for over 4,800 yards and 43 touchdowns in high school, while running for over 1,000 yards and scoring 18 rushing touchdowns.

Michael had to decide between Syracuse University and Virginia Tech. A man named Tommy Reamon, who was a family friend and helped guide Michael through his childhood, helped Vick decide to choose Virginia Tech.

Reamon believed that playing under Frank Beamer would be very beneficial to Vick's growth as a young man and football player.

College at Virgina Tech

Vick was red shirted in his freshman year at Virginia Tech, and began making an impact in his redshirt freshman season. In his first game, against James Madison, Vick scored three rushing touchdowns in a single quarter, and missed the rest of the game after awkwardly landing on his ankle while diving for the end zone.

That year, Vick led the Hokies to an 11-0 season, although they lost the BCS National Championship Game to the Florida State Seminoles.

Vick, as a redshirt freshman, led the NCAA in passing efficiency, which was also the third highest of all time.

Vick won a slew of awards that year, including the Archie Griffin Award, which is given to the most valuable football player in all of college football. Vick also finished third in the 1999 Heisman Trophy race, which was tied for the highest finish ever by a freshman.

Vick's redshirt sophomore had its ups and downs, with many solid games, and an injury that sidelined him for 2 games against the University of Central Florida and the University of Miami.

Vick declared for the NFL draft at the end of his redshirt sophomore season, mainly because his family was still living in the middle of the projects. Vick said that after he was drafted, he would get his mother "a home and a car." Vick kept his promise, buying his mother a home in a nice area of Suffolk, Virginia.

NFL Draft and Early NFL Career

Michael Vick was taken first in the 2001 NFL Draft, after the Atlanta Falcons traded up to get him. The San Diego Chargers originally had the pick. Vick was also picked in the 30th round of the 2000 MLB Draft by the Colorado Rockies, even though he didn't play baseball at Virginia Tech.

That season, Vick and Warrick Dunn were the first quarterback/running back duo to gain over 1,000 rushing yards in a single season.

Vick made his first start at Dallas on November 11, 2001 and tight end Alge Crumpler caught Vick's first touchdown pass.

In 2002, Vick was named to his first Pro Bowl, after passing for over 2,900 yards and rushing for nearly 800 yards. Vick also set a record for most rushing yards in a single game for a quarterback against the Minnesota Vikings, gaining 173 yards.

Vick led the Falcons to the playoffs during that same season, and eventually lost to the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC divisional playoff game.

In 2003, Vick missed the first 11 games after suffering a broken right leg in the preseason. He made his first appearance of the season against the Houston Texans on November 30, after QB Doug Johnson was pulled. The Falcons weren't very successful that season, in Vick's absence.

Vick was named to his second Pro Bowl in 2004, after another successful season. The Falcons, once again, lost to the Philadelphia Eagles in the playoffs.

Vick would continue to have success in 2004 and 2005, but failed to lead the Falcons to the playoffs in either of those seasons.

Vick holds quarterback records for the most rushing yards in a season (1,039), in a game (173), and the most 100-yard rushing game (7).

Vick's Troubles

In July of 2007, Vick and three other men were given felony charges of operating a dog fighting venture. Vick was accused of providing finances for the activities and taking part in the dog fights and execution of dogs.

Vick pleaded guilty, and in December, was sentenced to 23 months in federal prison.

Before Vick began serving time, the Falcons sent him a letter demanding that he reimburse the team with $20 million of the $37 million bonus that he received.

Vick would eventually file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, after he failed to maintain a steady income in prison, while having six homes and several vehicles under his name.

Vick would finish the last few months of his sentence on house arrest.

Though Vick eventually got out of prison, he still had to show Roger Goodell that he was rehabilitated.

Philadelphia Eagles

Doug Benc/Getty Images

JACKSONVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 26: Quarterback Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles leaves the field after defeating the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field on September 26, 2010 in Jacksonville, Florida. The Eagles defeated the Jaguars 28-3. (Ph

After Vick's release from prison and reinstatement into the NFL, he was mentored by former Indianapolis Colts head coach Tony Dungy.

Vick signed a contract with the Philadelphia Eagles on August 13, 2009. It was a one-year contract worth $1.6 million, that included a second year option.

While Vick was used sparingly during that season, he was an inspiration to many.

During Week 13 against the Falcons, Vick had a passing and rushing touchdown, which were his first since December of 2006.

That year, Vick's teammates voted to give him the Ed Block Courage Award, which was a team award given to players who "exemplify commitment to the principles of sportsmanship and courage."

In an interview about receiving the award, Vick said "It means a great deal to me. I was voted unanimously by my teammates. They know what I've been through. I've been through a lot. It's been great to come back and have an opportunity to play and be with a great group of guys. I'm just ecstatic about that and I enjoy every day."

This season, Vick was named the starter after Kevin Kolb suffered a concussion against the Green Bay Packers. Vick almost led a comeback against the Packers after replacing Kolb.

Vick would start the next game due to Kolb's injury, and lead the Eagles to a victory over the Detroit Lions. After Andy Reid originally inserted Kolb back into the starting lineup for Week 3, he changed his decision to keep Vick as the starter due to his success.

Vick is 2-0 as a starter this season, and was just named the NFC Offensive Player of the Month for September

Vick's Future

Nobody knows for sure what will happen with Michael Vick as a starter. Will he continue to have success, or will Kevin Kolb eventually retake the role as a starter?

To keep having his success, Vick will have to play like there is no tomorrow for him. He has been in the position where his entire world was taken from him. If he plays with that chip on his shoulder, the sky is the limit for this determined, motivated, and rehabilitated quarterback.

This is such a great story for the NFL, and there is no question that Vick would be named Comeback Player of the Year, if the season ended today.