Sunday marked the final regular season game for the Falcons at the Georgia Dome, their home since 1992 that is set to be replaced next by a new stadium currently under construction. To commemorate the occasion, the team invited a number of former stars to the game, and its one-time superstar quarterback, Michael Vick, earned easily the loudest roar from the crowd.
During a halftime ceremony as Atlanta took on New Orleans, Vick rode onto the field in an open convertible, accompanied by former wide receiver Roddy White, to a huge ovation. Clips of Vick’s exploits in a Falcons uniform played on the stadium’s video monitor as fans cheered.
Vick was picked No. 1 overall by the Falcons in 2001, and he went on to represent the team in three Pro Bowls and take it to the 2004 NFC championship game, all while carving out a reputation as one of the NFL’s most exciting players. However, his career in Atlanta came to an abrupt halt when he was convicted of federal charges of running a dogfighting ring; he missed the 2007 and 2008 seasons while serving time in prison, then made his return with the Eagles.
Almost 30,000 people signed
an online petition asking the Falcons not to invite Vick to the Georgia Dome’s farewell ceremonies, because of his involvement with dogfighting. But the team went ahead with it, and Vick said he was grateful for the support.
“I think at some point in your life, you have to forgive,” Vick told reporters before the game, a
38-32 Falcons win (via
ESPN). “I’m just thankful there’s a handful of people, a lot of people here in this organization, in this city — I come and go all the time through the Atlanta airport — there’s a lot of people who have forgave me and given me another opportunity to show a different side of myself. That’s the candid part that I think people really start to exert.”
“I’m just thankful that I’ve got a lot of supporters, man, and that’s all you can ask for. And I appreciate those people with the utmost humility.”
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“Mike obviously has a great history with us, a great history with the franchise, an important player in our history,” Falcons owner Arthur Blank said (via the
Associated Press). “So we wanted him to attend today and we’re glad he did. Michael represented an important part of my ownership period, an important part of our franchise. I think our fans, based on the response I saw and felt, I think our fans were excited to have him as well.”
The 36-year-old Vick still has not retired, although he was not signed by any team in 2016. He last played for the Steelers in 2015, following a one-year stint with the Jets in which he played ineffectively in 10 appearances and three starts.
Vick recently told the
Atlanta Journal Constitution that he wants to retire with the Falcons. “That would be awesome,” he said. “I think that would close out my story and connection with that franchise for what I was able to accomplish in six years. Not by myself, but the entire organization.
“With the city, the respect and the love was all there. It was genuine. When I think about my career and what I’m identified with, it is the Atlanta Falcons. … maybe there are some conversations that need to be had. I look forward to it because that’s what’s dear in my heart.”
“It was all good,” White said of Sunday’s ceremony. “I’m glad they did something to recognize the work we put in. This is home. Mike started here. We’re all a family together.”
to Michael Vick tho
at trying to make him out to be the second coming of Satan because of it 
@ that petition Vick being welcome back with open arms 
