Michael Vick tells campers after reaching goals he let others ‘take all that away from me’

Vick to hoops campers: ‘Use me as an example’

HAMPTON, Va. — Michael Vick told basketball campers at Hampton University on Tuesday to use his own story as an example as they work to follow their dreams.

The free agent NFL quarterback, who last month finished a 23-month federal prison sentence for dogfighting, told a crowd of about 250 to “use me as an example for your dreams.” Vick also told them that after accomplishing his goals he “allowed someone who didn’t have my best interests at heart to take all that away from me,” according to a release from the school.

“Respect helps you to make wise decisions,” Vick said.

Vick lives in Hampton and was a surprise guest at the camp run by Pirates interim men’s basketball coach Ed Joyner Jr, according to the university.

Vick, 29, left school after three years and was the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons. Once the league’s highest-paid player, his career came tumbling down when he was convicted in August 2007 of conspiracy and running a dogfighting operation.

After being suspended indefinitely, Vick was conditionally reinstated by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell last month and cleared to sign with a team, but thus far there have been no takers.

Earlier Tuesday, Vick’s agent, Joel Segal, visited Washington Redskins camp and said he was there to meet with other clients, including Jason Campbell, DeAngelo Hall and LaRon Landry.

“No. No chance,” Segal said when asked about the possibility of Vick signing with Washington.

The Redskins are among 26 of the NFL’s 32 teams that have said they have no interest in signing Vick, although Vick’s NFL-appointed mentor, former Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy, said several coached have contacted him to talk about the player.

Segal, in an interview with ESPN 980, said he is “very optimistic” that Vick would sign with an NFL team soon. There are a lot of teams interested. … It’s not a matter of if, but when.”