Andy Reid gets emotional while recalling how he helped Michael Vick after 21-month prison sentence

Chiefs head coach Andy Reid attended a fund raiser in New York where he spoke about Michael Vick receiving a second chance.

Andy Reid gets emotional while recalling how he helped Michael Vick after 21-month prison sentence

Andy Reid to give Rashee Rice the Michael Vick treatment (Image via IMAGO)

The Kansas City Chiefs faced several player-related issues in the offseason, but no one created more headlines than Rashee Rice. Even though head coach Andy Reid chose to remain silent for the most part, he stood beside the second-year wide receiver, claiming that he deserved a second chance, which he gave to Michael Vick.

During a recent fundraiser in New York, Reid became emotional while talking about Vick. The former NFL quarterback spent 21 months in prison for dogfighting, which the Pro Bowler later admitted was because being young and without proper guidance got the better of him.

Reid gave Vick a second chance when he was coaching the Philadelphia Eagles before taking over at the Chiefs. He once labeled the 44-year-old as one of the greatest players in the NFL.

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He was the leader of the pack [the Falcons]. The hugest Nike contract ever went to Michael Vick. He was a hip-hop star. He was it and he was the guy.
Andy Reid said at the fundraiser speech

However, Vick became alone after returning from prison. Besides his wife, every other family member cut ties with him. It was Andy Reid who gave Vick the chance he was so desperately seeking.

I sat down with him and I thought, what can I give this kid? I'm giving him a chance to play, but what can I give him to help him play?
Andy Reid said per Marca

Vick, arguably one of the pioneers of the dual threat of quarterbacks, entered the second phase of his NFL career in Philadelphia with Reid as the head coach. In 2011, his third season with the Eagles proved to be the best of his tenure, racking up 253 completions for 3303 passing yards and 18 touchdowns, including 76 rushes for 589 yards and 1 touchdown.

Rashee Rice should prove himself all over again to Andy Reid like Michael Vick

Following a stellar rookie campaign that ended with winning a Super Bowl, Rice found himself in deep trouble. In March, the 24-year-old totaled his Lamborghini in a car accident. Initially, he fled from the scene, and after the police issued a lookout notice and an arrest warrant, Rice turned himself in.

Andy Reid gets emotional while recalling how he helped Michael Vick after 21-month prison sentence
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice (Image via IMAGO)

Andy Reid left the law to decide what to do with Rice.

I’m leaving, like we’ve done most of these [law matters] just for the law enforcement part of it to take place, and then we’ll go from there with that.
Andy Reid said in April

The police released the SMU graduate, but the case remains pending in court. Besides the road rage, Rice came onto the cops’ radar once more after a photographer filed a complaint that the Richland native hit him at a local Dallas bar. He later dropped the complaint.

Despite all that has happened in the offseason, the Chiefs welcomed him back, and he has been working hard ever since. Coach Reid signed Hollywood Brown to give Rice added pressure to perform even better than his first year. 

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