Getty Former New York Jets quarterback Michael Vick throwing a pass during an NFL game.
It appears a former New York Jets quarterback is ready to put back on the cleats one more time.
Michael Vick is expected to join the startup league Fan Controlled Football, according to a May 20 story by Reuters’ Frank Pingue, who was the first to share the news on social media.
Exclusive: Former NFL quarterback Michael Vick coming out of retirement to play May 28 game in Fan Controlled Football @fcflio t.co/Ezs6vrcw7D
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A Shocking Return
Vick will play in the regular-season finale of the Fan Controlled Football league on May 28 with an official announcement expected sometime this week, Pingue reported. He was inspired to make a comeback after watching the successful return of Pro Football Hall of Famer Terrell Owens, Pingue’s story said.
The startup league, now in the midst of its second season, which started April 16, is a condensed version of American football in a 7-on-7 format. The game is played on a 50-yard indoor field, with another twist being that, as the name of the league suggests, fans call the plays in real time in a video game-like realm as players carry out the plays in the real world.
Vick, a four-time Pro Bowl quarterback with the Atlanta Falcons and the Philadelphia Eagles, hasn’t played football since 2015. He originally entered the NFL as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2001 draft. He immediately became one of the most electric players in NFL history, captivating the league with his dynamic dual-threat ability.
All in all, he played 13 professional seasons for four different NFL franchises. In the middle of his career, Vick missed the 2007 and 2008 seasons due to his role in an illegal dogfighting ring. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 23 months in prison.
During the 2014 season, he played in 10 games and started in three of those contests for Gang Green:
- 1-2 as a starter
- 604 passing yards
- 153 rushing yards
- Three touchdowns to two interceptions
A Walk Down Memory Lane
I’m going to be completely candid: I almost forgot that Vick ever played for the Jets.
When you look back at history, the green and white actually have a stunning run as it pertains to superstar players having cups of coffee with the franchise.
They have 10 players in the Pro Football Hall of Fame who are better-known for other stops in their careers than with their time with the Jets:
- Steve Atwater
- Alan Faneca
- Brett Favre
- Ty Law
- Ronnie Lott
- Art Monk
- Ed Reed
- Jason Taylor
- LaDainian Tomlinson
- John Riggins
Technically, if any player suits up for a team for any length of time, that service counts toward the team’s list of players in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Speaking of Canton, the Jets could be due for an infusion of new entities in the near future.
.@damienwoody says Darrelle Revis (@Revis24) is ‘absolutely’ a first ballot @ProFootballHOF’er in 2023, ‘outside of @TomBrady he is the best player I’ve ever played with’ + also said ‘there’s no other islands, other people have landing strips’ 🤣 #Jets #TakeFlight @nyjets
Darrelle Revis will become eligible for the 2023 Hall of Fame class. Former Jets player Damien Woody and former Jets executive Mike Tannenbaum have advocated for Revis’ induction as a first-ballot Hall of Famer.
.@RealTannenbaum agrees w/ @damienwoody saying there is ‘no question about it’ longtime @nyjets CB Darrelle Revis (@Revis24) is a 1st ballot Hall of Famer. He explained how good he was & how they were able to use him differently than other top #NFL corners: @ProFootballHOF #Jets
Another potential Hall of Famer whose induction is long overdue is Jets legend Joe Klecko. A recent update to the rules and regulations has increased his chances significantly of finally getting in over the next several years.
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Ex-Jets QB Coming Out of Retirement to Make Football Comeback