Vick faces 'tough crowd,' teaches more than football

HAMPTON

Michael Vick has been in his share of hostile press conferences, but never one quite like this.

It wasn't so much the type of questions the Philadelphia Eagles quarterback faced during a 45-minute question-and-answer session: "Why did you go to prison?" "Why is Kevin Kolb starting over you?"

It was that the questions were coming from some of his biggest fans: 8- to 13-year-olds attending Vick's camp at Hampton University.

Vick answered each question directly, even with a bit of humility.

Like his response to the question about the prison time he served for his activities related to a dog-fighting operation:

"It wasn't the right thing to do," Vick told the nearly 200 in the crowd. "It was something I should have gotten away from. I was being a follower, not a leader. That was the wrong thing to do. That's the reason I went there. So if you know anybody who participates in fighting dogs, tell them that it's not the right thing to do and (that) they will go to jail."

Vick's camp, being held for the first time, is open to kids from 8 to rising high school seniors. In all, 447 kids came, learning football from Vick and the coaching staff at Hampton. But they also learned more about life.

"It was a tough crowd, but like I told the guys yesterday while they're at this camp, I want them to have open dialogue not only with me but with other players who are here," said Vick, who served a 23-month sentence for his dog-fighting conviction. "I want them to feel free to ask me any question."

Besides teaching about offense and defense, Vick wanted the campers to learn what it means to be accountable, responsible and accessible.

"You have to take care of your priorities and your responsibilities," he said. "That's what I want them to take away from this camp. It's about maturing as a football player and a person."

The comment that got the most response was when 10-year-old Jalen Greene of North Carolina told Vick that New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees, not Vick, was his favorite player. Greene was heckled, but Vick respected his honesty.

"Some people get offended about that, but it's all about your true character coming out," he said. "I respect that. I'm a big fan of Drew Brees, too."

Afterward, Greene said getting a chance to come to Vick's camp was an experience he'll never forget.

"I learned that you should always be a leader and not a follower," said Greene, who wears No. 7 and plays quarterback for his recreation league team called the Eagles. "Never do something just because other people are doing it.

"I also learned, of course, how to throw better, too."

Vick hopes this camp will become an annual event as does Hampton football coach Donovan Rose.

"It's about making a difference," said Rose, a Norview High grad. "By doing this and reaching out and giving back, it makes more of a difference. "

Larry Rubama, (757) 446-2273 larry.rubama@pilotonline.com