Michael Vick is going to embrace the reality of NIL and its impact on college athlete movement.
While several college football and basketball coaches have lamented Name, Image, and Likeness and the transfer portal, Vick — the rookie head coach at Norfolk State — said during an appearance on the Get Got Pod with Marshawn Lynch and Mike Robinson that he will support players who seek other opportunities.
“If you go win the MEAC, make the (all-conference) first team, and Clemson comes calling and offers you some money, I can’t tell you no. They’re offering you some bread.”
Vick says he will not hinder his players’ plans to leave if they are enticed by lucrative offers from FBS or Power 4 schools.
“When somebody come and call you and say I got $700,000, you better take it,” he said. The only thing I can do is match (it). The only thing we (Norfolk State) can do is get in the game.
Vick said it would be “selfish” if he held players back from maximizing their value.
“I told a couple of (players) that. They be like, ‘nah, Coach, I want to be with you.’ And I’m like alright if somebody come calling and got $700,000 let’s see then.
“I’m going to be pushing you out,” said Vick. “I’m proud of you — you earned that. We all know we are one play away from not having a career. I’m going to make sure I always encourage that.”
