Michael Vick was born on 26 June 1980 in Newport News, Virginia, to his parents, Brenda Vick and Michael Boddie.
The former professional football player, known for his time with the Atlanta Falcons and Philadelphia Eagles, grew up with his three siblings. Their parents’ tumultuous relationships caused their troubled childhoods.
Highlights
- Michael Vick had a strained but respectful relationship with his father, Michael Boddie.
- Vick’s parents, Brenda Vick and Michael Boddie had him as a teenager and were not married initially.
- Growing up in a high-crime neighborhood, Vick escaped the negative influences around him through sports and fishing.
Former NFL quarterback Vick is in talks to become the head football coach of Norfolk State and Sacramento State.
If appointed, this would be Vick’s first head coaching role. Since retiring from the NFL, he has worked as an analyst for Fox Sports.
During college, Vick played two seasons at Virginia Tech. He led the Hokies to the national championship game in 1999.
The Atlanta Falcons selected him first overall in the 2001 NFL Draft, making him the first Black quarterback to be selected with the number one pick.
In an interview with the Virginian Pilot, the 44– year-old mentioned that he had been interviewed for the head coaching position at Norfolk State after the university contacted him.
Norfolk State recently parted ways with their head coach, Dawson Odums, following a 4-8 season. Vick’s hometown, Newport News, is nearby.
It’s not clear how serious the discussions with either school are. Meanwhile, we can recall his journey from a troubled childhood to becoming an NFL star.
Michael Vick Had A Strained Yet Respectful Relationship With His Father Michael Boddie
The former NFL quarterback has opened up about his tough childhood several times.
According to Vick, his parents had an abusive relationship and fights with his dad, Michael Boddie.
He acknowledged Boddie’s d*ug addiction but showed respect for his dad’s efforts, noting his protectiveness and values.
Vick said his father had his share of issues. “He was a man, he was a man first. You know, I respect it.”
The former athlete added, “He and I have a great relationship to this day because I understand him.”
Michael also added that his father ensured Vick had strong principles and was overprotective to ensure he wasn’t taken advantage of in the neighborhood.
Vick appreciated that aspect of his father’s care.
Vick shared that he tries to be a protective parent like his father. He mentioned real physical confrontations with his dad, which often stemmed from Vick asserting himself.
When asked about the actual fistfights, Vick revealed his father has continuously been working on himself, but they had some fistfights in the past.
The former NFL player said today that he is pretty sure his dad respected his decision to stand up for what he believed in at the time.
“I’m pretty sure my dad respected the fact that I stood up for what I believed in at the time, and it wasn’t just always centered around my mom.”
Michael Vick
Young Vick once stood up when his dad did something to his mom, but the situation wasn’t always centered around his mom.
Moreover, Vick revealed that he grew up spending a lot of time away from home, often out on his own or with friends, learning how to be a young man.
Sometimes, he came home more confidently than he was supposed to, and occasionally, he was checked at the door.
But overall, it was all good and fun for him.
Michael Vick’s Parents Were Teenagers When They Had Him
Michael Vick was born to Brenda Vick and Michael Boddie as the third of their four children.
Boddie and Brenda were still teenagers when they had him and were not married then.
They married when Vick was about five, but the children kept the “Vick” surname.
The Boddie-Vick family lived in the Ridley Circle Homes, a Newport News, Virginia public housing project. This area is known for its high crime rates.
A 2007 article in the Richmond Tifmes-Dispatch noted that the area had not changed much, and drug dealing and violence were still prevalent.
As a child, Vick used fishing to escape the neighborhood’s stress and violence, as he mentioned in a 2001 interview with the Newport News Daily Press.
Furthermore, Michael Boddie’s job required frequent travel, but he taught football skills to Vick and his younger brother, Marcus. Vick was just three years old at the time.
Vick also learned about football from his second cousin Aaron Brooks, who was four years older. They spent much time at the local Boys and Girls Club.
In an interview with Sporting News magazine published on 9 April 2001, Vick said that sports kept him off the streets.
“It kept me from getting into what was going on, the bad stuff. Lots of guys I knew have had bad problems.”
Michael Vick
Additional Information
Celebrity Net Worth shows Michael Vick’s net worth is $16 million.
Michael Vick is married to Kijafa Frink Vick. They have four children together: two sons and two daughters. Additionally, Vick has a son named Mitez from a previous relationship.
Michael Vick was involved in a dog-fighting ring called “Bad Newz Kennels,” which led to his arrest and a 23-month federal prison sentence. He served 18 months before being released and later resumed his NFL career.
