Everyone knows about Michael Vick’s legendary speed he embarrassed defenses with on the field. But most haven’t noticed that his post-playing career is moving with the same type of quickness.
After finishing his playing career in 2015 with the Steelers, the 4x Pro Bowler was at the same crossroads faced by all professional athletes when their playing days conclude.
What’s next?
Coaching wasn’t of interest, so he turned from that path.
That’s when memories of his childhood resurfaced and the words of his mother came roaring back.
“When you’re done playing professional sports, you’re going to be a commentator. You’re going to be a broadcaster.”
As a young boy, Vick had the broadcasting bug. He would watch games and then go into the bathroom and practice broadcasting the game in the mirror.
It’s the same practice employed by many other highly successful broadcasters, like his FOX Sports colleague, Curt Menefee.
It’s ironic as so many young, Black, aspiring quarterbacks imitate Vick’s moves on the field with the hopes of being like no. 7.
Meanwhile, a young Michael Vick has emulated broadcast veterans like Menefee and Gus Johnson, men who wield microphones instead of a football.
Yet it wasn’t a move he anticipated making.
From the Gridiron to the Studio
Vick’s transition from the gridiron to the studio was by no means seamless. I could tell he faced frustration by his animated reaction when I asked him about moving into the field.
Fortunately, another former NFL star turned on-air media personality helped to open the door for Vick.
“It wasn’t until Cris Carter got an opportunity to work with ‘First Things First’ and he asked me if I wanted to join the show, you know, part-time,” Vick told me during our interview.
From there, Vick met individuals like FOX Sports SVP of Talent Relations, Aimee Leone, who helped mentor and guide him through the early stages of broadcast television. They were invaluable resources, providing him with exposure through FOX NFL programming.
Yet sports stardom doesn’t automatically equate to being one on television.
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