Michael Vick is officially stepping into a new role in the world of football, but his past is once again taking center stage. The former Atlanta Falcons star was recently named head coach of Norfolk State University’s football team, marking his first official position leading a collegiate program. However, the announcement has sparked a wave of renewed criticism surrounding the infamous dog-fighting operation that derailed his NFL career nearly two decades ago.
Despite the Spartansfinishing last season with a 4-8 record, the focus isn’t on rebuilding the team – it’s on Vick himself. Social media platforms, particularly X (formerly Twitter), lit up with angry reactions, memes, and brutal reminders of the Bad Newz Kennels scandal that saw Vick serve time in federal prison.
Past sins resurface online
In 2007, Vick was convicted for his involvement in an illegal dog-fighting ring run out of his property in Virginia. Investigators found dozens of abused pit bulls, many of which were later rehabilitated and adopted. Vick initially denied his involvement but failed a polygraph test and ultimately admitted to playing a major role in both organizing fights and funding the operation. He served nearly two years in prison and was suspended from the NFL.
Though he later returned to the league with the Philadelphia Eagles, even earning Comeback Player of the Year in 2010, public opinion has remained divided. Animal rights advocates have continued to protest his appearances, and his new coaching role has only reopened old wounds.
Online reactions highlight lasting resentment
Users on social media haven’t held back. Comments like “hide your dogs” and “this man only knows how to coach pit bulls” trended shortly after Norfolk State’s announcement. Others used harsher language, demanding that Vick be removed from public positions altogether.
Even after years of attempted rehabilitation and community service, Vick’s name remains inseparable from one of the darkest scandals in NFL history. His transition into college coaching is already off to a rocky start, with many questioning the university’s decision to hire such a polarizing figure.
Can Vick ever outrun his past?
As he takes the field in a new role, Vick is hoping to write a different legacy. But the internet, and public memory, may not be so forgiving. Whether he can overcome the backlash and lead Norfolk State to a winning season remains to be seen.
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