PHILADELPHIA — A full-circle moment.
That’s what kept racing through Michael Vick’s mind Thursday night when he looked across the way and saw DeSean Jackson, his former Philadelphia Eagles teammate, on the other side of the same Lincoln Financial Field they used to roam.
Considering the tumultuous way his time here started, arriving in 2009 fresh off serving his prison sentence for running an illegal dog fighting ring, even he had to concede this was beyond his wildest imagination.
“Twelve years ago I was a player in Philadelphia and fast forward now I’m a coach,” said Vick moments after his Norfolk State Spartans battled Jackson’s heavily favored Delaware State Hornets for nearly four hours, only to fall short, 27-20. “And I just coached a night game in Philadelphia against a former teammate who happens to be a good friend.
“I think it’s a full circle moment. You never know where the good Lord will take you, but this journey has been amazing.”
Amazing, yet unsuccessful so far.
Losing their seventh straight game dropped the Spartans to 1-8, despite quarterback Otto Kuhns throwing for 311 yards and three touchdowns, two to JJ Evans and the other to DreSean Kendrick, both of whom had over 100 yards receiving.
“It feels like I’m saying the same thing every week: We’ll get ‘em next time,” sighed Vick, after his team kept the explosive Hornets’ offensive under wraps for three quarters before DSU broke loose for two scores in the 3:02 fourth quarter span, then held off a late Spartan surge. “We’re coming close.
“I think our defense was on the field for a long time. We had opportunities to get off the field, but got hurt by penalties. You can’t have that.“Then they probably wore down a little bit.”
To their credit Norfolk State kept pushing, scoring twice in the fourth quarter, capped when Koons hit Kendrick from 11-yards out with just 54 seconds left. But Delaware State recovered the ensuing onsides kick, then ran out the clock, it was time for the Vick and Jackson to meet around midfield.
Rather than the typical post-game handshake theirs was a lengthy full embrace.
“It was surreal moment,” admitted Vick, who’ll now try to rally his troops for the final three games, beginning next weekend at North Carolina Central. “I’ve watched coaches shake hands after games. This time it was me and one of my best friends who was a teammate. I never thought I’d look across the field watching him coach and vice-versa for him. So it was a really cool moment.”
Michael Vick and DeSean Jackson share a long embrace after Delaware State beat Norfolk State, 27-20. pic.twitter.com/PKf2dqpKyJ
— Devin Jackson (@RealD_Jackson) October 31, 2025
For Jackson as well.
“I truly look up to him,” said Jackson,” who told ESPN at halftime he felt his players “were having trouble playing under the big lights,” before they came on strong after intermission.
“He’s always been a good bro to me,” Jackson added during postgame. “I admired him growing up. To come here and play with a quarterback like him was like a dream come true.
“His record doesn’t show what he does. They played a hard-fought game and gave us a battle. I’m proud of both of us because we’re in a position where we’re inspiring and changing young men’s lives.
“It doesn’t get any better than that.”
Vick agreed, adding he’s confident it won’t be long before things start going the Spartans’ way.
“A lot of coaches tell me ‘Keep my head up and keep fighting,’” said Vick, whose defense contained Delaware State’s potent running game — which came in averaging 315.1 per game — until the final period when Jason Jones went untouched 76 yards for what proved to be the game winner. “I know tough times don’t last, but tough people do.
“This is part of my growth process and also learning experience in terms of things that have to happen. I take full responsibility as a head coach and look forward to better days ahead.”
Along the way he’s become more enamored than even he expected with the job. Sitting between his two hundred-yard receivers, Evans (five catches for 124 yards and two touchdowns) and Kendrick (nine for 112 and one score) Vick reflected on his role.’
“To spend time with these two young men whom I’ve grown to love means a lot,” Vick said. “I have a relationship with those guys in the locker room who give it everything they have. ‘
“As I continue to grow my coaching career I can see this being something I’m going to love. It’s a marathon, not a race and everyday matters.”
The marathon resumes a week from tomorrow when Michael Vick and his 1-8 Norfolk State Spartans take the field knowing one thing: It can only get better from here.
