Michael Vick grateful for second chance

By MIKE MORRIS

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Former Falcons quarterback Michael Vick talked about second chances Friday, both as a football player and as a father, and vowed that he will “do whatever’s necessary to be the best ambassador for the NFL.”

At a Philadelphia press conference the morning after signing with the Eagles, Vick admitted he had “done some terrible things and made awful mistakes.”

“Now I want to be part of the solution and not part of the problem,” Vick said. “I’m glad that I got a second chance, and I won’t disappoint.”

Vick promised to “continue to serve in our community and continue to do the right things,” and said he hoped to “help young individuals from going down the same path that I went down.”

Vick said that his return to football brought him a “surreal feeling.”

“I couldn’t have envisioned this two years ago,” he said. “I was optimistic that it would happen one day, but I know it’s going to be a long process.”

Vick said that after being away from the game for two years, “I’ve got to crawl before I walk. I can’t imagine going out and trying to be a starter for a football team. I just don’t think it would happen. As much God-given ability as I have, I don’t think I would be able to do it.”

Vick on Thursday agreed to a two-year deal deal with the Eagles.

Published reports say that Vick will receive $1.6 million for the first year, with a team option of $5.2 million for the second. And according to the Eagles’ team Web site, Vick has been listed as a “quarterback/wide receiver/football player,” suggesting he’s likely to play multiple positions.

Vick will return to the NFL after two seasons away after serving a 23-month sentence for bankrolling a dogfighting operation.

He can play in the final two preseason games, but remains suspended by the NFL till Week 6 this year.

Vick said that one of the worst things about his conviction and prison sentence was being away from his family, particularly his children.

“That was a humbling experience,” Vick said.

“I can’t explain how sorry I was once everything went down, to explain it to my kids, that what had transpired was because of daddy’s faults,” Vick said. “And that was the toughest thing. I asked them for a second chance to be a better father.”