The touchdowns were Vick’s first two of his comeback season after he spent 18 months in federal prison for his role in a dogfighting ring. And along the way, he won over Atlanta fans who spent the first half booing his every move. For the start of the game, Vick's fans wearing his No. 7 jersey were outnumbered by those who welcomed the former Falcons quarterback with boos. Michael Vick had a feeling his return to Atlanta would be special. He could tell by the tears welling in his eyes even before he reached the Georgia Dome.
"I’ll never forget this day," Vick said after running and passing for touchdowns in the Philadelphia Eagles’ 34-7 win over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday.
But Vick won over the crowd by running and passing for touchdowns in the second half. In the fourth quarter, fans chanted "We want Vick! We want Vick!" Sure enough, Vick came back into the game.
"They were just letting me know that people still appreciate what I’ve done," Vick said.
Eagles coach Andy Reid said the chants didn’t affect his plans for Vick, but then he added, "It didn’t hurt." Reid said, "Everybody rallied around Mike. ... The fans in general, calling Michael’s name out, I give my hat off to them for giving him a second chance."
Vick heard the chants and said, "it sent chills all down my spine."
"I knew something special was going to happen this week," said Vick, who said he shed a tear on the bus ride to the stadium.