Top star who elevated Virginia Tech football to new heights 25 years ago, has been elected to the College Football Hall of Fame.
The 44-year-old was one of 18 players selected for induction in 2025, the National Football Foundation announced on Wednesday. This marks his second year on the ballot.
He becomes the ninth individual with Virginia Tech ties to receive the honor, joining a distinguished group that includes Corey Moore, a key player from the 1999 national championship-contending team who was inducted in 2023. Other Hokies enshrined include Hunter Carpenter, Andy Gustafson, Carroll Dale, Frank Loria, Jerry Claiborne, Bruce Smith, and Frank Beamer.
The 2025 Hall of Fame class also features 18 players and four coaches, including Nick Saban and Urban Meyer. They will be honored at a ceremony in Las Vegas, Nevada, on December 9 at the Bellagio Hotel & Casino.
Vick, a Newport News native and Warwick High School graduate who was recently appointed head coach at Norfolk State, spent only three years at Virginia Tech. However, his electrifying dual-threat quarterback style put the program on the national map and inspired future generations of players.
In his two seasons as a starter, Vick’s statistics—3,074 passing yards and 20 touchdowns, along with 1,202 rushing yards and 16 rushing touchdowns—may seem modest by today’s standards. Still, he was the engine of a Hokies offense that ranked among the nation’s best at the turn of the century.
Michael Vick burst onto the college football scene in 1999 following a redshirt year, showcasing his blazing speed and powerful arm during an 11-0 regular season that culminated in a Big East championship. The Hokies dominated offensively, leading the nation with an impressive 41.4 points per game.
As a freshman, Vick dazzled fans and opponents alike with his electrifying play, often running past, around, or even over defenders. His debut against James Madison featured three touchdowns, including a memorable dive that flipped him head over heels into the end zone, firmly placing him in the national spotlight. Later in the season, he preserved the Hokies’ perfect record with a dramatic sideline sprint in the final minute against West Virginia, setting up Shayne Graham’s game-winning field goal.
Vick’s remarkable season included the third-highest passing efficiency in NCAA history at the time (180.4) and accolades such as the Archie Griffin Award for college football’s most valuable player and the Big East Offensive Player of the Year. He earned first-team All-America honors from The Sporting News, a prerequisite for Hall of Fame eligibility.
Vick also became a Heisman Trophy finalist, finishing third behind Wisconsin’s Ron Dayne and Georgia Tech’s Joe Hamilton. His third-place finish tied Herschel Walker’s 1980 record as the highest for a freshman at the time.
Vick’s standout performances propelled the Hokies to the Sugar Bowl, where they faced Florida State for the national championship. Despite a 46-29 loss, Vick was the star of the game, throwing for 225 yards and a touchdown while rushing for 145 yards against a Seminoles defense stacked with NFL-bound talent. Even after accounting for 48 yards lost on sacks, his performance left a lasting impression.
Michael Vick followed up his sensational freshman season with an equally impressive sophomore campaign, leading Virginia Tech to another 11-1 record. The Hokies’ only loss came in a 41-21 defeat at Miami, a game in which Vick was limited to just 19 first-half plays due to an ankle injury.
As a starter, Vick posted an extraordinary 20-2 record with the Hokies, capping his college career with an MVP performance in a 41-20 victory over Clemson in the 2001 Gator Bowl. Just 10 days later, he declared for the NFL Draft, where he was selected first overall by the Atlanta Falcons, launching a historic professional journey.
Vick’s NFL career faced a significant setback when he was convicted on federal charges for his involvement in a dog-fighting ring in Newport News, resulting in an 18-month prison sentence. However, after his release, Vick resumed his career and became an outspoken advocate against animal cruelty.
In 2010, Vick won NFL Comeback Player of the Year with the Philadelphia Eagles, earning his fourth Pro Bowl appearance. Over a 13-year career with the Falcons, Eagles, Jets, and Steelers, Vick accumulated 22,464 passing yards and 133 touchdowns. His 6,109 rushing yards stood as an NFL record for a quarterback until Lamar Jackson surpassed the mark this year. Vick officially retired in 2017, cementing his legacy as one of the most dynamic players in football history.
Leave a Reply