Vick goes from Ookie to Heisman hopeful

(U-WIRE) BLACKSBURG, Va. - Michael Vick stepped back in the pocket, cocked his arm backward and threw a perfect spiral into the hands of a receiver down the field.

Another clip from the Michael Vick highlight reel? Hardly.

He was seven years old.

Before his days of running circles around college football players, the All-American quarterback grew up like a typical boy his age, playing video games, hanging out with friends and, of course, tossing around the pigskin.

The young Vick was much like the same 20-year-old he resembles today. His friends and family say even the fame hasnt changed him.

His youth is a prime example of that.

"When he was five or six years old, he would come home and do bad things," said Brenda Boddie, Vicks mother. "I would act like Im leaving, he would be looking for me and I would be laughing. One time he glued his eyes shut. We now laugh about all that stuff."

"Ookie," as his parents have affectionately nicknamed him, still carries that childhood innocence to this day. However, he has also developed into a man thanks in large part to his redshirt year on the Tech football team.

"It was the best thing Ive ever done," Vick said. "It kept me relaxed and adjusted to be a college student and player."

For a student who has a tough time walking around campus without being mobbed by people, home is a welcomed blessing.

Newport News, Va., is Vicks lifelong home. When he returns to Newport News for summer vacation, he said heads to a local fishing hole, plays with his Nintendo system and finds time for his family.

His mother has always played an important role in his life. They talk about things like school, girls, football and behaving.

Although Vicks father, Michael Boddie, had a job that sometimes kept him from home, he has tried to instill in Vick the importance of being a good kid and having good manners.

Mr. Boddie said his son never got into trouble or ever got involved with drugs.

"I like the way he has developed, not only as a player but as a person," he said.

The outside of Vicks Newport News home may look similar to the way it did more than a decade ago, but inside the house one can tell something is definitely different.

It is the makings of a champion.

Almost 30 trophies surround the top of the mantle. Nearly all the memories of Vicks progression of an athlete are there.

Mrs. Boddie cleared a space on the familys stereo to place Vicks ESPY, ESPNs award for college footballs player of the year.

Could the Heisman be next?

For now, his parents are thrilled by what has become of their son. They just worry about the risks.

In his first game for the Hokies last September against James Madison, they found just how frightening watching their son play can be.

With the ball a few yards from the end zone, Vick looked for an open receiver but found no one. He raced to the goal line, leapt into the air, got hit and somersaulted, landing awkwardly on his ankle. The sprained ankle cost him the next game, but he was back on the field for the following game.

"(Watching the play) was very tough," Mrs. Boddie said. "I closed my eyes and put my hands on my face. I told him not to jump like that again."

His father was equally troubled by the play.

"It was a serious tumble," Mr. Boddie said. "Im glad the injury wasnt as bad as it could have been. I know college football is a big-time play; guys careers end on one play. I pray he can finish the game in the same shape."

Vick had the same intensity and fearless emotion even before high school.

Mrs. Boddie said he hurt his knee once but continued to practice despite the pain.

Vick once went to the emergency room, and she said she told him not to play an upcoming game.

Shortly after, he returned to the field. Even as a kid, football ran through his veins.

"Ever since he learned to throw a football, hes always liked throwing a ball," Mr. Boddie said. "Its just in his blood."

His 6-foot-1, 214-pound frame and arm strength are major assets. His 4.25-second 40-yard dash is what a team wants from a top receiver.

His footwork and speed resemble that of the best running backs. His instincts resemble those of a fifth-year senior.

Vick said it wasnt difficult to deal with the change from high school to college football.

After last season, who could argue?

His mother said residents of his hometown had difficulty catching passes because he threw so hard.

A few weeks ago, at a Tech football practice, sophomore wide receiver Shawn Witten broke his left pinky finger while attempting to catch a pass from Vick.

Where did he learn his moves and playmaking abilities?

It was from high school football coach, Tommy Reamon.

Reamon provided Vick with such tutelage; the two have become nearly inseparable. The player-coach relationship became almost like a father-son relationship.

"We were very close -- not just as coach; I love him like a son," Reamon said. "It was both fun and challenging to coach him. With that kind of potential, he works as hard at what he does. I can see that from him."

He said Vick has changed from a quiet leader to a vocal leader because of the role he was thrust into.

So as Vick continues to defy the odds, who will be the next Michael Vick?

The answer may lie in the same bloodline.

Marcus Vick, the 16-year-old brother of Michael Vick, is on a path similar to his brothers. Mrs. Boddie said she thinks Marcus is like a "mini-Ookie."