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Students vote for Eagles' Michael Vick to address grads
The students have spoken -- they want Michael Vick.
The Philadelphia Eagles quarterback received more votes than Philadelphia mayor Michael Nutter and Philadelphia schools superintendent Dr. Arlene Ackerman in a poll among students at the five Philadelphia-area Camelot Schools to determine a commencement speaker.
Vick will speak at the ceremony next month at Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia.
Camelot consists of five educational institutions and works with the Philadelphia school district to provide transition services for teenagers with behavioral and emotional issues. Camelot also assists children who have dropped out or are at risk of dropping out.
"These students may have made a mistake along the way, but they turned it around," Vick said in a statement. "They did the right thing and finished school. I am honored to be speaking at their commencement."
In 2007, Vick -- once the highest-paid player in the league and a star with the Atlanta Falcons -- was convicted for his role in a dogfighting ring and served 18 months in federal prison.
In 2009, the Eagles took a chance and signed him to a one-year deal with a team option for a second year. He spent 2009 as a third-stringer, behind Donovan McNabb and Kevin Kolb. In 2010, McNabb was traded to Washington, and Kolb was injured in the season opener, giving Vick the chance to take over as the starter. He was named the 2010 NFL Comeback Player of the Year by The Associated Press, throwing for 3,018 yards and 21 touchdowns, with six interceptions.
"Based on Vick's recent story of making a mistake, hitting rock bottom and having the courage to pick himself back up and work through difficult period of life, that was something we felt was very relevant to the student population and their story," Camelot vice president of operations Milton Alexander said. "It will be something they will remember for the rest of their lives."
Alexander said Vick, who has been working with the Humane Society in speaking out against dogfighting, sets a good example for the graduates.
"One thing that we are constantly addressing with our students is if you make a mistake, if you make a bad decision, there is accountability involved, and just because this is your reality now it doesn't have to be your reality forever," Alexander said.
"Vick's story is very relevant to their situation."
Source: AP
The Philadelphia Eagles quarterback received more votes than Philadelphia mayor Michael Nutter and Philadelphia schools superintendent Dr. Arlene Ackerman in a poll among students at the five Philadelphia-area Camelot Schools to determine a commencement speaker.
Vick will speak at the ceremony next month at Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia.
Camelot consists of five educational institutions and works with the Philadelphia school district to provide transition services for teenagers with behavioral and emotional issues. Camelot also assists children who have dropped out or are at risk of dropping out.
"These students may have made a mistake along the way, but they turned it around," Vick said in a statement. "They did the right thing and finished school. I am honored to be speaking at their commencement."
In 2007, Vick -- once the highest-paid player in the league and a star with the Atlanta Falcons -- was convicted for his role in a dogfighting ring and served 18 months in federal prison.
In 2009, the Eagles took a chance and signed him to a one-year deal with a team option for a second year. He spent 2009 as a third-stringer, behind Donovan McNabb and Kevin Kolb. In 2010, McNabb was traded to Washington, and Kolb was injured in the season opener, giving Vick the chance to take over as the starter. He was named the 2010 NFL Comeback Player of the Year by The Associated Press, throwing for 3,018 yards and 21 touchdowns, with six interceptions.
"Based on Vick's recent story of making a mistake, hitting rock bottom and having the courage to pick himself back up and work through difficult period of life, that was something we felt was very relevant to the student population and their story," Camelot vice president of operations Milton Alexander said. "It will be something they will remember for the rest of their lives."
Alexander said Vick, who has been working with the Humane Society in speaking out against dogfighting, sets a good example for the graduates.
"One thing that we are constantly addressing with our students is if you make a mistake, if you make a bad decision, there is accountability involved, and just because this is your reality now it doesn't have to be your reality forever," Alexander said.
"Vick's story is very relevant to their situation."
Source: AP