Michael Vick’s presence both on and off the field is magical. 

During his time as a quarterback, whether in high school at Homer Ferguson High School in Newport News or at Virginia Tech, or as the first pick in the 200X draft with the Atlanta Falcons, Vick was an electrifying highlight machine capable of taking a broken play for a video game-style touchdown.

As long as Vick was healthy and on the field, then his team had a chance. And it’s this kind of magic that Norfolk State fans are hoping is left when the first-time head coach takes the field for his first game Aug. 28 against Towson. 

"It means everything to be back home," Virginia native and hometown hero Vick told ESPN. "I'm still asking myself how I ended up here. I loved living in Florida, but home is home. My mom is here, my sister's here, and I always try to be there for them and protect them. I just never knew that I would be able to come back and be a head coach."

It didn’t take long for the faithful to come out in droves to support the new hire, which is amazing considering that in the last decade, the Spartans have only had one year with a winning record (in 2021 they went 6-5). 

According to ESPN, season tickets have already gone up from $110 to $200. The school is even encouraging fans not to drive but rather take the bus or light-rail as they expect crowds to reach capacity at the 30,000-seat William "Dick" Price Stadium.

There will even be a series that will document Vick's first season, released by BET Media Group under the production of Michael Strahan's SMAC Entertainment.

And get this: the Oct. 30 game between Norfolk State and Delaware State, coached by former Philadelphia Eagle and Vick teammate from 2009-13 DeSean Jackson, has been moved to Lincoln Financial Field, where the Eagles play home games.

The magic is back, and Norfolk State has an opportunity to capitalize on Vick’s popularity to turn the team around. It’s a feel-good story that everyone seems to be behind. 

"As soon as he was hired, you felt the momentum change," Norfolk State linebacker Daylan Long said. "People just want to be around the program now."