BLACKSBURG, VA – In front of a roaring sea of maroon and orange, Virginia Tech immortalized its greatest football legend this Saturday as a towering bronze statue of Michael Vick was unveiled outside Lane Stadium. The moment marked the culmination of two historic seasons that saw the Hokies claim back-to-back national championships, returning the program to national prominence and fulfilling a dream nearly 25 years in the making.
The statue ceremony came just hours before Tech kicked off its 2025 home opener against Michigan, and emotions ran high among fans, alumni, and former teammates who gathered to celebrate the icon. Vick, donning a Hokies varsity jacket, addressed the crowd with tears in his eyes, saying, “This place made me. Everything I gave on the field came from the love I had for this university. To see the program rise again — and to be honored like this — it’s a dream I never imagined.”
Virginia Tech’s resurgence under head coach Brent Pry has been nothing short of cinematic. With an explosive offense led by quarterback Kyron Drones and a punishing defense nicknamed the “Maroon Wall,” the Hokies won national titles in both 2023 and 2024, defeating Georgia and Texas in dramatic fashion. The victories broke a decades-long championship drought and solidified Virginia Tech as a modern-day football powerhouse.
Many credit Vick’s presence and mentorship behind the scenes as a quiet catalyst for the team’s transformation. He returned to the program in 2021 as a consultant and quarterback mentor, where his impact was felt immediately. “He made you believe you could fly, just like he did,” said Drones. “His confidence was contagious. Every time he walked onto the practice field, you remembered what Hokie greatness looks like.”
The statue, standing 12 feet tall on a granite pedestal, captures Vick in mid-sprint — arm cocked, eyes scanning the field, his signature style preserved in bronze. Sculptor Talia Jenson said she designed the piece to reflect “motion, danger, and magic — everything Michael Vick brought to football.”
The two title runs reinvigorated Hokie Nation, packing Lane Stadium like never before. “Enter Sandman” became more than a tradition — it became a symbol of the team’s rebirth. ESPN named the Hokies’ entrance the “most electrifying in sports” in both championship years. At several games, the noise level exceeded 120 decibels, shaking the stadium to its foundation.
Frank Beamer, the legendary coach who led the Hokies during Vick’s playing days, also spoke at the ceremony. “I always said Michael was special,” he said. “But to see him honored like this, in front of a team that’s achieved so much — this is the legacy we hoped for.”
Fans flooded social media with photos of the statue, and within minutes, “#VickForever” trended nationwide. In a video message, NFL legend Tom Brady called Vick “the most electrifying player I ever watched,” while Lamar Jackson said, “Without Mike, there’s no me.”
The ceremony also included a surprise announcement: the new state-of-the-art training facility on campus will be named the Michael Vick Performance Center, cementing his influence on future generations of Hokies.
As kickoff neared, chants of “VICK! VICK! VICK!” echoed across campus. The moment wasn’t just about a statue — it was about legacy, rebirth, and the belief that greatness, once sparked, never truly fades.
And as the Hokies took the field under a setting sun, led by a team inspired by both past and present, one truth stood tall in Blacksburg: Michael Vick’s fire still burns in Virginia Tech football.
