The ghosts of Eagles past will come alive at Lincoln Financial Field this October when two franchise legends face off in what promises to be one of the most emotionally charged games in recent memory. DeSean Jackson and Michael Vick, former teammates who once electrified Philadelphia crowds, will reunite at the Linc on Thursday, Oct. 30 — but this time as opposing head coaches.
Jackson’s Delaware State Hornets will host Vick’s Norfolk State Spartans in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference showdown that represents far more than just another college football game. Both men are embarking on their first seasons as Division I head coaches, marking a new chapter in careers that were once intertwined in midnight green.
From 2009 to 2013, Jackson and Vick formed one of the NFL’s most dynamic duos, with the speedy receiver hauling in 13 touchdown passes from the elusive quarterback — more than Jackson caught from any other signal-caller during his illustrious career. Now they’ll stand on opposite sidelines, each hoping to outcoach the other in their debut seasons.
“I came to Delaware State University to start a new phase of my career with a unique institution that cares about its students and is helping to transform their futures,” Jackson said in a statement. “I know Coach Vick feels the same way at Norfolk State. A part of that transformation is opening our students and scholar-athletes up to a whole new set of experiences at the highest level.”
Jackson was instrumental in bringing the game to Philadelphia, serving as a key advocate for moving the contest to the venue where he and Vick once thrilled Eagles faithful. The decision transforms what would have been a standard MEAC game into a celebration of HBCU football on one of the sport’s biggest stages.
“This is a tremendous opportunity for our student-athletes to play in a world-class venue on a world-class stage,” Vick explained. “Coach Jackson and I made so many unforgettable memories together at Lincoln Financial Field — this stadium holds special meaning in my NFL career. I am thrilled to be a part of this historic moment.”
The game represents a full-circle moment for both men. Vick, whose career was marked by remarkable highs and devastating lows, found redemption in Philadelphia after serving time in federal prison. His partnership with Jackson during those comeback years created some of the most memorable moments in recent Eagles history, including Vick’s Comeback Player of the Year season in 2010.
When Jackson and Vick take the field at the Linc this fall, they’ll be writing a new chapter in their storied relationship — one that began with touchdown passes and now continues with the development of young men who dream of following in their footsteps.