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Michael Vick Asked About Potential Effects Of His Troubles On Future Black QBs (Video)

It’s no secret that Michael Vick’s had his share of self-inflicted problems. The focus has mostly (understandably) been on how those problems derailed Vick’s own career, but in an interview that aired on the NFL Network, Deion Sanders asked Vick about how his – and one very prominent bust’s – troubles could impact the careers of other talented black quarterbacks in the future.

Sanders asked Vick if he thought his freefall from “highest-paid player in the NFL” to prison combined with the well-publicized struggles of fellow former No. 1 overall pick JaMarcus Russell would prevent a talent like Cam Newton from getting drafted first overall (which wouldn’t have happened anyway, but we see his point). Vick acknowledged that his and Russell’s troubles were “unfortunate,” and that “who you are, where you come from, your background – people pay attention to that.”

Vick went on to say that one reason he’s dedicated himself to the game the way he has is that he realizes responsibility to be a role model for young people – and young players who might be in Vick’s shoes one day – comes with the territory.

Sanders was praised by his colleagues for raising the question, and it was an interesting one – not to mention probably one that only someone like Sanders, who knows what it’s like to be a famous African-American athlete with transcendent talent and a divisive personality – could ask while understanding the context.

And as for Vick’s performance on the field last night against the Texans: 302 yards passing, two TDs; 48 yards rushing, another touchdown; 34-24 win. Sure, Houston has an infamously weak secondary, but that’s yet another impressive stat line nonetheless, and Vick continues to be the story of the 2010 NFL season.

[H/T RoachRadioTube]