“It was all self-inflicted"- Michael Vick once expressed regret for his actions that hurt his chances of going to the Hall of Fame

Michael Vick took the NFL by storm in the early 2000s with his electric play. The former number-one overall pick was on the path to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. However, that all changed in 2007 when he was arrested for his involvement in a dog fighting ring. Vick spent a year and nine months in federal prison.

In 2017, the quarterback told the Washington Post about how his arrest impacted his odds of going to the Hall of Fame and his legacy.

Vick said:

"I hate it (my legacy). I think about that more than all the good years and the good times. S***, it hurt [my chances of] going in the Hall of Fame. It's going to impact everything. But it was all self-inflicted. I was young. I didn't have no guidance."

"I don't use this as no excuse. I could've said, 'No.' I could've made those right decisions, like, 'This ain't for me.' That's a blemish that I will never be able to erase."

Michael Vick was suspended by Commissioner Roger Goodell for violating the league's personal conduct policy. In July 2009, Goodell reinstated the former Atlanta Falcons star after serving his prison sentence. Vick would sign with the Philadelphia Eagles on a two-year deal a month following his reinstatement.

He played five seasons with the Eagles, winning Comeback Player of the Year in 2010. The former Virginia Tech quarterback played two final seasons in the league following his stint with Philadelphia.

He spent one season each with the New York Jets and the Pittsburgh Steelers, retiring after the 2015 season.

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Michael Vick and his NFL career before his arrest

Vick spent six seasons with the Falcons, starting 67 games for the franchise. In all, he threw for 11,505 yards, 71 touchdowns, and 52 interceptions while rushing for 3,859 yards and 21 touchdowns. He rushed for 1,039 yards in the 2006 season.

The four-time Pro Bowler finished twice in the top five of the MVP voting with the Falcons.

He lost all his sponsors when he was arrested, paying almost $1 million in compensation to care for the surviving dogs. Michael Vick had to give back the signing bonus from the 10-year, $130 million contract that made him the highest-paid player in the NFL at the time.

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