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Michael Vick Attends Falcons Camp in Power Move for HBCUs

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Steven Corder | Last updated Jun 4, 2025 7:46 PM ET

Michael Vick didn’t just return to Atlanta Falcons practice this week, he brought the hopes of an entire football movement with him.

Fresh off being named head coach of Norfolk State University, the former NFL superstar made headlines on June 2 when he stepped onto the field at Falcons OTAs. But this wasn’t just a reunion with his former team. It was a defining moment for HBCU football.

The four-time Pro Bowler who threw for over 22,000 yards and rushed for more than 6,000 during his 13-year career is now focused on building a new legacy: elevating historically Black colleges and universities on the gridiron.

Vick’s appearance at an NFL facility as a current HBCU head coach is unprecedented. Not since Deion Sanders at Jackson State has a high-profile figure generated this level of attention for a Black college football program. Norfolk State’s social media exploded with engagement following the visit, and recruits across the Southeast are already taking notice.

His presence isn’t just for show. Vick is actively studying NFL schemes, networking with pro coaches, and laying the groundwork to create a professional pipeline through Norfolk State. His goal? To send Spartans to the league and to make sure scouts start visiting HBCU campuses with greater frequency.

The numbers back the urgency. In the last three NFL Drafts only two players from an HBCU were selected. Alabama A&M’s Carson Vinson was chosen by the Baltimore Ravens in this year’s draft. Jackson State’s Isaiah Bolden was taken in the 2023 NFL Draft. That’s not for lack of talent; it’s for lack of exposure.

If Vick has anything to do with it, that’s about to change.

If you’re an HBCU supporter, now is the time to rally. Michael Vick is building more than a football program, he’s building a movement. Whether it’s showing up to Norfolk State games, donating to HBCU athletics, or sharing the vision online, you can be part of this cultural shift.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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