The Falcons will host a retirement ceremony for former quarterback Michael Vick and wide receiver Roddy White on Monday, the team announced Friday.
The Falcons’ roster is full with 90 players, and there are no plans to release a player and sign Vick to a one-day contract. White, however, has submitted his retirement papers.
“We consider all former Falcons to be Falcons for life, and part of our family,” Falcons owner Arthur Blank said. “Both men have made a huge impact on my family, our franchise and this city, and we are thrilled to be able to honor both Roddy and Michael’s wishes to retire as Falcons, and celebrate their careers.”
The No. 1 overall pick in the 2001 NFL Draft by the Falcons, Vick spent six seasons with the team before going to federal prison for his role in a dogfighting operation.
Following two years away from football he returned to play with the New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers.
Vick’s highlight with the team was guiding the Falcons to the NFC Championship game after the 2004 regular season.
Vick’s appearance at a ceremony during the last regular-season game at the Georgia Dome was controversial. A group started an online petition asking the team to withdraw the invite. The program went ahead as planned.
During his tenure, Vick electrified the fan base, energized the team and sold out the Georgia Dome.
Vick fell out of favor after he pleaded guilty to dogfighting charges in August 2007. He was suspended from the NFL for a violation of the league’s personal-conduct policy.
He served 21 months in prison and two months in home confinement.
Vick was a three-time Pro Bowler with the Falcons. He also guided the Falcons to a historic playoff victory on the road over the Green Bay Packers after the 2002 season.
White, the Falcons’ all-time leading receiver, announced his retirement in April. He was released by the team after the 2016 season and did not sign with another team last season.
White will join the football coaching staff at Johns Creek High School.
White was selected by the Falcons in the first round (27th overall) of the 2005 NFL draft from UAB. After a slow start to his career, White developed into the franchise’s most prolific receiver during the league’s evolution into more of a passing league.
White amassed 808 catches, 10,863 yards and 63 touchdowns over 11 seasons with the Falcons.
White and Kyle Shanahan, the Falcons’ former offensive coordinator, didn’t see eye-to-eye in 2016. His production dipped to 43 catches. He was used as a decoy early in the season in favor of Leonard Hankerson, a player who later was released, and never really became comfortable in the new offense.
White had slowed with age and wear. He went from 125 targets and 80 catches with seven touchdowns in 2014 to 70 targets and 43 catches with one touchdown in 2015.
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