Community organizers plan Vick ‘celebration’ in former NFL star’s Virginia hometown

Organizers plan Vick ‘celebration’ in his hometown

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — Community organizers in Michael Vick’s Virginia hometown are preparing a “celebration” for the former NFL quarterback.

Andrew Shannon, who is president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference chapter in Vick’s hometown of Newport News, says the event is scheduled for Aug. 8. Vick will be in attendance and is scheduled to speak at the event, which Shannon says is geared toward promoting the doctrine of nonviolence.

One of the organizers, resident John Eley, says the “Michael Vick Community Celebration” is intended to give the city a chance to “enjoy and embrace” Vick.

The Daily Press of Newport News first reported the event.

Vick has been conditionally reinstated in the NFL after completing a 23-month federal sentence for running a dogfighting ring.