April 21, 2001: Falcons select Virginia Tech quarterback Michael Vick first in NFL Draft
On this date 19 years ago, the Falcons picked quarterback Michael Vick first in the 2001 NFL Draft, and he changed the league.
The San Diego Chargers held the No. 1 pick entering the 2001 NFL Draft and wanted Virginia Tech quarterback Michael Vick, who was so electric in his NCAA career. However, when the Chargers couldn't get Vick to agree to contract terms before the draft – there were no pre-arranged values by "slot" back then – they decided to trade the top pick to the Atlanta Falcons for the No. 5 overall pick that year, a 2001 third-rounder, second-round pick in 2002 and receiver/returner Tim Dwight.
Atlanta never blinked in taking Vick at No. 1 on April 21, 2001 – 19 years ago Tuesday. Was it worth it? No question that Vick became the most exciting player in the NFL. He led the Falcons to the playoffs in 2002: A win at Green Bay in Wild-Card Round, the Packers' first-ever postseason loss at Lambeau before a loss in Philadelphia in the Divisional Round. Then back to the playoffs in 2004 when the Falcons reached the NFC title game and lost again in Philadelphia.
In 2006, Vick set an NFL single-season rushing record for a quarterback with 1,039 yards on the ground; that has since been broken by Baltimore's Lamar Jackson. That would be Vick's last season with the Falcons as before the 2007 campaign he pled guilty for his involvement in a dog fighting ring and spent 21 months in federal prison. He was released by the Falcons shortly before leaving prison.
Vick would have a bit of a career resurgence from 2010-12 with the Eagles and last played in the NFL briefly with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2015. Overall, he would be named to three Pro Bowls and Vick certainly revolutionized the position with his running ability.
The Chargers did just fine with that trade too. With the No. 5 overall pick, they took TCU running back LaDainian Tomlinson, who is now in Canton. And while the pick didn't come from Atlanta, San Diego's first selection of the second round was a guy named Drew Brees.