Atlanta Falcons Quarterback Michael Vick and Anakin Skywalker Have Eerie Similarities

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, Jedi knights taking refuge on the planet Tatooine discovered a little boy by the name Anakin Skywalker who possessed great talent and they thought would be the one to restore order to the galaxy.

In 2001, at Virginia Tech, the Atlanta Falcons who, at the time, were taking refuge from two straight losing seasons (4-12 in 1999 and 5-11 in 2000) discovered a young quarterback who possessed never before seen talent and the thought he would be the one to restore order to their franchise.

Unfortunately for the Falcons, Michael Vick is more like Anakin Skywalker than they would prefer.

Anyone who follows the 6 Star Wars movies understands Skywalker would eventually take the path to the dark side and become villain Darth Vader; a character that would ultimately destroy the same Jedi who trained him. If you analyze his character and compare him to Vick, the similarities are eerie.

In the movies, Skywalker possessed exceptional abilities to use the Force and would sometimes rely heavily on that and not listen to his teacher, Obi Wan Kenobi when he was trying to teach him to control it.

On the field, Vick too possesses an exceptional ability; his ability to run the football. In 2006, he ran for more than 1,000 yards. But, he has also relied too much on that ability in the past and isn't considered a dangerous passer; despite attempts from two coaches (now a third) to make him one.

Part of the reason Skywalker didn't listen to his teachers was his friendship with Chancellor Palpatine (who would later become emperor); a character who would constantly tell him he was better than his mentors. Their close relationship created problems for the Jedi.

Vick's Chancellor Palpatine is Falcons' owner Arthur Blank who has been criticized for being too friendly to the quarterback and his relationship has made it nearly impossible for former head coaches to coach him properly; resulting in their eventual firing.

Most disturbing is Vick's apparent journey to the same dark side that swallowed Skywalker up. Especially since it is laced with warning signs much like Skywalker's journey was.