The label followedMichael Vick for most of his NFL career. Long before mobile quarterbacks became the norm, his athleticism often overshadowed the work he put into mastering the position. Two decades later, Vick believes the conversation has finally changed.
Vick argued that today’s game has moved beyond outdated stereotypes. For him, the modern NFL is not just producing better athletes at quarterback but is finally recognizing them as complete quarterbacks first.
Michael Vick Says the NFL Has Finally Embraced the Complete Quarterback
Feb 6, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Michael Vick during Fox Sports media day at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Speaking in a video on July 15, Vick explained why many Black QBs never wanted to be described simply as athletes. While mobility remains a major weapon, he said the mental side of playing quarterback deserves equal recognition.
“We want to be called quarterbacks. And it’s because we work so hard on the mental part of it that I don’t want to discredit that. What I’m doing as a runner, that’s just the bonus.”
“The evolution of quarterbacks in general, it makes me feel good that, yo, now you got white quarterbacks. You got Mendoza from Indiana. I don’t know where Mendoza… probably Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban. He’s a runner and a passer. And I think that’s beautiful”
“It’s the evolution of the game. The game is just so much better, so much more exciting for me, for you, for all the viewers, and for the fans who pay their hard earned money to know, yo, we got a quarterback that’s going to get it done through the air and on the ground”
Michael Vick says Black quarterbacks don't want to be labeled as athletes
“We want to be called quarterbacks. And it's because we work so hard on the mental part of it that I don't want to discredit that. What I'm doing as a runner, that's just the bonus”
“The evolution of… pic.twitter.com/mAvvVriW4D
— dank (@cptdankkk) July 15, 2026
His comments carry extra weight given the path he helped create. Vick retired as the NFL’s all-time leader in rushing yards by a quarterback and reshaped how franchises evaluated dual-threat talent. Today’s stars, including Lamar Jackson, Jayden Daniels and Jalen Hurts, play in an era where mobility is viewed as an asset instead of a limitation.
The Pro-Bowler is still closely associated with football, coaching at Norfolk State University, and still teaching young quarterbacks how to play the game. In fact, this season, his fellow Jets player, Matt Simms, even said that he should be grouped together with legends like Michael Jordan, Allen Iverson, and Tiger Woods because of what he did for the sport.
Vick was quick to return the compliments, saying that Simms was one of the strongest-armed quarterbacks he had ever played with.
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