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When Michael Vick's little brother Marcus made mistake after mistake during his college career, many of us felt sympathetic toward the elder brother. We empathized, a family member having to pick up after another family member's mess. Virginia Tech, both Michael and Marcus's alma mater, demonstrated an endless patience for Marcus, permitting him to re-enroll after being convicted for indiscretions with minors in March 2004 and drug possession charges in July 2004. He flipped off fans in October 2005 and drove with a suspended license in December 2005. Finally the patience and enduring feelings toward Michael Vick wore off when Marcus stomped on an opponent's leg in the Gator Bowl and was arrested on gun charges. They kicked him off the team, and America wondered how one brother could turn out so different from the other. In retrospect, however, it has become apparent that Michael Vick was no better than Marcus; he just wasn't getting caught.

Michael Vick was born on June 26, 1980 in Newport News, Virginia. He grew up in a public housing project in a financially depressed neighborhood ridden with crime. Sports became an outlet for Michael, and he credits athletics for keeping him off the streets. He was a star football player for his high school team and heavily recruited by many colleges and universities. He decided to stay in Virginia and was awarded a full scholarship to play football for Virginia Tech.

He attended Virginia Tech for three years and led them to an 11-0 season in 1999, which culminated in their appearance in the BCS National Championship game. The same year, he led the NCAA in passing efficiency. In 2000, he rushed for 210 yards against Boston College. After his sophomore year, he elected to leave Virginia Tech without graduating and enter the NFL draft. He stated the reasons were financial, wanting to buy his mother "a home and a car."

In the 2001 NFL Draft, the Atlanta Falcons chose Vick as the number one overall pick, making him the first African American taken as number one. Vick played sparingly in his first season with the Falcons, throwing for 785 yards and two touchdowns. Michael Vick emerged as a star in 2002, becoming a MVP candidate at the age of 22. He was elected to the Pro Bowl, carrying the ball for 777 yards and passing for 2,936 yards. He threw for sixteen touchdowns and ran for eight. In 2003, Vick suffered a fractured bone in his right leg and missed the majority of the season. He came back in 2004 by rushing for 902 yards

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