Michael Vick covers the October/November issue of Uptown Magazine with all his chocolate glory.

[Two years ago], I was happy just to be on a team. When I was in prison, I prayed for another opportunity.

And when I signed with the Eagles, that opportunity had come. I was ecstatic at that point, and I?m even happier now.

[Sidebar: That $100 milli probably played a big part in that.]

Mike speaks of his deliverance through tough times and how he’s way more cautious about who he grants interviews to (as you recall, he even turned down Oprah… OPRAH!!)

?I play the game the way I know how to play it,? Vick tells UPTOWN, after the magazine spent months trying to negotiate an interview. He?s understandably cautious about whom he talks to and what he says.

?You have to take precautions, but this is what I love to do. I want to be there for my team and do what I have to do as a quarterback to be successful.?

More excerpts + photos below…

?I am determined to become a better student of the game and I knew I had to work at it,? says Vick. ?I was young when I was in Atlanta. I?m older now. I?ve been through a lot and I think I?ve matured. I had some good years there, but I?m just so thankful to be in Philadelphia right now. I could not have landed in a better city. This is my home. This is where I want to be, and I take this opportunity seriously.?

This picture right here just made my day…. *swoon* 🙂

Victory, Failure, Deliverance: The Michael Vick story has all the elements that make an American classic. With his new multi-million dollar contracts, Vick is successfully reinventing himself on and off the field.

Will a Super Bowl win be his ultimate triumph?

For the full story, pick up a copy of UPTOWN?s October/November issue on newsstands now!

Via UptownMagazine