Michael Vick discusses early belief in Shane Beamer
When Frank Beamer was the head coach for the Virginia Tech Hokies, there was no bigger legend than Michael Vick, the most electrifying player in program history. Recently, Vick took the time to speak with ESPN’s Chris Low about how much he believed in Beamer’s son, current South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer, many years ago.
“I’m sitting there thinking, ‘Yep, I always knew he was going to be doing this one day,'” Vick recounted. “And he still had that young freshness about him, just like he did 20 years ago. Just watching him with his players, the way he directed them, the way he related to them, I was like, ‘This is right where he was meant to be.'”
“When I got to Virginia Tech, I just kind of gravitated to Shane whenever he was in the room, the way he thought the game and the way he always prepared,” said Vick, a four-time NFL Pro Bowler. “I wanted to hear what he had to say because I felt I could hear something or learn something that might help me, on or off the field.
“He was a spitting image of his dad.”
Last season, Shane Beamer led South Carolina to a surprising 7-6 overall record, including a 38-21 Duke’s Mayo Bowl thrashing of the North Carolina Tar Heels. He has quickly established himself as a force to be reckoned with in college football.
The South Carolina Gamecocks will begin their 2022-2023 season against the Georgia State Panthers. That one is slated for 7:30 PM EST on Sept. 3rd.
Michael Vick joins NIL firm Levels Sports Group
The former Virginia Tech and NFL Pro Bowl quarterback joined Levels Sports Group as its head of athlete development last month.
Vick is working with On3 Consensus five-star plus quarterback Malachi Nelson and four-star wide receiver Makai Lemon. Both are USC commits. Clemson quarterback DJ Uiagalelei is also a client.
The No. 1 overall selection in the 2001 NFL Draft, Vick finished his NFL career with more than 22,000 passing yards and 133 touchdowns. He made his mark as a rusher, however, racking up more than 6,000 yards and 37 touchdowns on the ground.
Vick’s knowledge of the landscape and industry will also help Levels guide the athletes making NIL deals.
Vick has made north of $20 million in sponsorships and endorsements throughout his career. The former Heisman Trophy finalist went on to the NFL and made four Pro Bowls. He had a two-year prison stint, starting in 2007, for dog-fighting. He took home the NFL Comeback Player of the Year award in 2010.
On3’s Pete Nakos also contributed to this article.