Michael Vick's New Ventures: A Docuseries and a Movie Project
Michael Vick, a name synonymous with revolutionizing the quarterback role in the NFL, is now capturing the details of his storied career and the broader history of Black quarterbacks through a new docuseries and potentially a movie. The former NFL star, known for his unprecedented success as a mobile quarterback, is diving into new creative territories to tell his story and those of others who paved the way.
Vick, the NFL's all-time leading rusher at the quarterback position, is deeply involved in a movie project chronicling his life. "I wouldn't play myself, but we're definitely working on a movie. I think it's warranted," he shared, hinting at the significant impact his career and journey have had on the game and culture of football. Fans might look forward to seeing this project hosted by Amazon, although details are yet to be confirmed.
Meanwhile, Vick has taken on the role of host for the docuseries "Evolution of the Black Quarterback," which aired its debut episode on a Wednesday. The series is a poignant exploration of the challenges and triumphs of Black quarterbacks in the NFL, offering a respectful nod to pioneers like Doug Williams and Warren Moon. Vick, who redefined what it means to be a quarterback in the NFL, is a fitting guide for this narrative.
Vick's athletic prowess and unique play style earned him not just accolades but redefined the quarterback archetype. He became the NFL's first 1,000-yard rusher at his position and graced the cover of "Sports Illustrated" in 2005 with the emphatic headline, "I am a quarterback." Reflecting on that period, Vick recounted, "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."
This internal struggle almost led Vick to abandon his position. "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," Vick reflected. His perseverance not only solidified his place in history but also paved the way for a new generation of quarterbacks, including Cam Newton, Lamar Jackson, Patrick Mahomes, and Jalen Hurts.
Looking at the current landscape of the NFL, the impact of Vick's career is unmistakable. As Week 1 of the 2024 NFL season showcased, 15 Black quarterbacks were starters, a testament to the evolving nature of the position that Vick helped shape. "The game has already been reshaped through me, through Donovan [McNabb], through Randall [Cunningham], guys who might not get the credit," he stated, acknowledging the collective effort in this transformation.
Vick's legacy extends beyond his own achievements; it is reflected in the successes of today's quarterbacks. "Now, it doesn't matter if you're black or white, as long as you have an understanding of the offense, if you can run and throw. 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. ... 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 passionately explained.
As Vick continues to shape his post-NFL career, his contributions both on and off the field remain influential. His movie project and the “Evolution of the Black Quarterback” docuseries are set to offer fans a deeper understanding of his journey and the broader story of Black quarterbacks in football. Through these ventures, Vick continues to be a trailblazer, not only in sports but also in storytelling.