Michael Vick, one of the most dynamic and controversial quarterbacks in NFL history, continues to shape the narrative of American football beyond his playing days. Currently, Vick is working on a movie project about his life, which might find a home with Amazon. This latest venture underscores the indelible mark he's left on the sport.
A Quarterback Ahead of His Time
Vick’s journey through the NFL was far from conventional, and it’s this unique story that makes his upcoming movie so compelling. Reflecting on his career, Vick recalls his defiance in the face of critics. “In 2005, 'Sports Illustrated' front cover, I'm on it, saying, 'I am a quarterback.' That's because I was fighting with people and the media [saying] the style is not sustainable, you can't win a Super Bowl that way. ... I was torn on whether I should just try to be a pure pocket passer or just be me,” Vick said.
In truth, "just being me" turned out to be revolutionary. Vick became the NFL's first 1,000-yard rusher at the quarterback position, an achievement that crowned him as the league's all-time leading rusher for QBs. His electrifying playstyle earned him four Pro Bowl nods and cemented his legacy as a quarterback who not only played the game but also changed it.
The Movie and Its Purpose
While details of the movie remain sparse, Vick has made it clear that he won't be portraying himself. “I wouldn't play myself, but we're definitely working on a movie. I think it's warranted,” he remarked. The film aims to capture Vick’s complex narrative, an arc that encompasses phenomenal athleticism, public scrutiny, and personal redemption.
Hosting "Evolution of the Black Quarterback"
Adding to his post-playing career, Vick hosts the docuseries "Evolution of the Black Quarterback," which aired its opening episode on a Wednesday. The series pays tribute to pioneers such as Doug Williams and Warren Moon, crediting them for their groundbreaking roles. According to Vick, these figures are part of a thread that includes Donovan McNabb and Randall Cunningham, who contributed to reshaping the quarterback position.
“The game has already been reshaped through me, through Donovan [McNabb], through Randall [Cunningham], guys who might not get the credit,” Vick noted.
The Next Generation
Vick’s influence on the next generation of quarterbacks is undeniable. In the 2024 NFL season, 15 Black quarterbacks were starters in Week 1, a testament to the barriers broken since his time. This evolution is something Vick is proud of, even if the path wasn’t always clear to him. “It almost deterred me from playing quarterback. If I believed in that [talk], and didn't push to play quarterback at the age of 18, 19, I'd never be a part of the change. And maybe we never see Lamar or we never see Cam or we never see Patrick. Who knows? It's a what-if. But God finds a way to make sure that everything is OK when it's all said and done,” he reflected.
A Game Changed Forever
Today’s NFL features quarterbacks like Cam Newton, Lamar Jackson, Patrick Mahomes, and Jalen Hurts—players whose versatility epitomizes the modern game. “You look like me, you look like Jalen [Hurts], you look like Lamar [Jackson], you look like Patrick [Mahomes], you look like Josh Allen. Now it's equal. ... I fought to change the game. I didn't know I was changing the game. I was just playing my game,” Vick said.
These athletes, thanks in part to Vick’s pioneering efforts, now lead their teams with a mix of passing and rushing abilities that were once deemed unsustainable for success. “But look what we got out of it: We got Cam Newton. We got Lamar Jackson. We got Patrick. We got Jalen. We got guys who are giving their teams the opportunity to win the Super Bowl,” Vick added.
Vick’s contributions to the game will remain subjects of discussion and admiration, not just in future dedication pieces or his forthcoming movie, but also in every quarterback who takes the field emulating his bravado and skill. And now, as both a media presence and a storyteller, Michael Vick continues to influence and inspire the sport he helped redefine.