Michael Vick is National Football League (NFL) quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles. Many consider him to be the most dynamic and explosive player to ever play his position or any position for that matter. He attained a mega star status within a couple of years of his entrance into the league. In Vicks early stages of his NFL career he experienced some troubles that forced him away from the sport and into a down spiraling football career. He was a man who had it all, lost it all, just to get it all back.
Michael Vick made history becoming the first African American to ever be selected number 1 overall in the 2001 NFL Draft. Vick started off his career with the Atlanta Falcon were he made his mark on the league. He made 3 Pro Bowl appearances during his first 6 years in Atlanta. There he become one of the highest paid athletes in the league and had an array of endorsement deals. He was the spokesman for Nike, EA Sports, Coca-Cola, PowerAde, Kraft, Rawlings, Hasbro and Airtran. He had it all, the fame, the glory, and the money. Vick’s fame grew and his off the field behavior took a turn for the worst. In a string of events Vick reportedly missed a congressional breakfast where he would be honored for his work with the youth, he attempted to get through airport security with a water bottle that featured a hidden compartment, he shot 2 middle fingers up at the Falcon fans as he left the field, and continued to display inappropriate behavior. There was no bigger off the field issue for Vick than the indictment by a federal grand jury for conspiracy to travel in interstate commerce in aid of unlawful activities and to sponsor a dog in an animal-fighting venture. After the raid of his Virginia home where police agents found drugs and 60 dogs that were in poor health conditions.Vick pleaded guilty to federal charges in the Bad Newz Kennels dog fighting investigation. He was sentenced to19 months in a federal prison. The NFL suspended him indefinitely without pay for violating the NFL player conduct policy and he lost all of his endorsements.
Michael Vick was released from prison on July 20, 2009 and began his road to redemption. The Philadelphia Eagles signed him August 19, 2009 to a one-year deal worth less that he’d ever made in his career at $1.6 million dollars. He also partnered with the Humane Society to actively denounce dog fighting and illegal activity. He has become an influential voice in the community continuing his work with the youth and being a model citizen. After his breakout season in 2010 the endorsements started rolling back in. First was his 2-year agreement with Unequal Technologies, then Fuse Science, and ultimately the re-signing with Nike sports. Since his release Michael Vick has rebranded himself as a positive role model and leader on and off the field. Companies have viewed Vicks change and have given him a second chance at becoming a spokesman of their brands.
Is endorsing Michael Vick good or bad? In my honest opinion it can be good thing. Ruling out my biased towards one of my favorite NFL players I think that Vicks story is enough to attract any consumer to the brand he endorses. Whether you believe it or not America love a good redemption story. Of course Vick made some mistakes, who doesn’t? Him overcoming the adversity that life threw him and mostly what he brought on himself shows that he’s a winner. He has resurrected his NFL career with the most spectacular performances of any quarterback in the history of the league. The people love this guy and because he doing things the right way now they’ll buy into anything that he endorses. The Vick show is back and every smart company should be clawing to get this gone on their roster.
Redemption
