CLEMSON FOOTBALL

Boyd finds a mentor in Michael Vick
Michael Vick has been a sounding board for Tajh Boyd since early in his career. (TigerNet Staff / Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports)

Boyd finds a mentor in Michael Vick


by - Senior Writer -

Every time Tajh Boyd Tajh Boyd
RS Sr. Quarterback
#10 6-1, 225
Hampton, VA

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tosses a touchdown pass or runs for a first down this season, Clemson fans can thank Michael Vick.

The often-maligned quarterback of the Philadelphia Eagles hails from the same area of Virginia as Boyd, and the reigning ACC Player of the Year is using Vick as a sounding board and as a mentor. After all, who better to tell you about the struggles of being a big-time quarterback and being in the public eye than someone who has been through it all?

Boyd told the media at the ACC Kickoff in Greensboro in late July that he has a sense of pride in being from an area of Virginia that produces a lot of talent, and talked to Vick early on his career and after Vick’s run-in with the authorities.

“I grew up in the Hampton Roads area,” Boyd said. “There were a lot of great quarterbacks: Allen Iverson, Ronald Curry, the Vicks (Michael and Marcus), Aaron Brooks, E.J. (Manuel), Tyrod (Taylor). I got a chance to talk to (Michael Vick) early on in my career and for whatever reason, we reached out to each other. He’s been great to talk to ever since. He is really insightful about a lot of things in life.”

In April 2007, Vick was implicated in an illegal interstate dog fighting ring that had operated for five years. In August 2007, he pleaded guilty to federal felony charges and served 21 months in prison, followed by two months in home confinement.

Since then, however, he has reclaimed a starting job in the NFL with the Eagles, and Boyd said having someone to talk to who has been “through the ringer” can’t be understated.

“The way he handled his situation and the way he responded shows the type of character he has,” Boyd said. “That was a pretty adverse time for him in that situation, but he handled it with class and did everything he possibly could do to make it right. I talked to him yesterday, and he’s like ‘It’s going to be a big year for you. I’m going to be here to talk to you.’ It’s good to talk to guys who have been through the ringer and come out and succeeded. Anytime you have a mentor, it helps.”

Last January, Boyd was struggling with his decision on whether to turn pro or return to Clemson for his senior season, and Vick told him to stay in school.

“He asked me, do I want to be the best? If you want to be the best, go back to school and do everything to make sure you can do that,” Boyd said. “I want to be the best player. I want us to be the best team we possibly can. Why not go out there and give one last shot at it? I don’t really want to live with regret, so I didn’t want to make that step and regret not coming back. The pressure you put on yourself is the worst thing you can do. This is a performance-based game and the only pressure that comes is from you. It’s all about going out there and playing at your highest level. If you’re confident in what you’re capable of doing, you’ll go out there and get it done.”

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Post your comments!
Subject (Replies: 54) Author
spacer Front Page Story: Boyd finds a mentor in Michael Vick
TigerNet News®
spacer oh no***
jtiger1®
spacer Mods: I think you have those names reversed. ******
Swarley
spacer No, Tajh, actually the fact this scumbag was involved in
Filo Betto
spacer Re: No, Tajh, actually the fact this scumbag was involved in
buie32
spacer Ha! Oh, he apologized. Great. ******
Swarley
spacer Re: Ha! Oh, he apologized. Great. ******
Gwood Tiger
spacer I agree with you.
CUTiger1989®
spacer Respectfully, Gwood, you don't get to tell me who I give
Swarley
spacer Re: Ha! Oh, he apologized. Great. ******
Dugatiger®
spacer Paula Deen says, "Hi!".***
CUTiger1989®
spacer Re: No, Tajh, actually the fact this scumbag was involved in
irmotig®
spacer Re: No, Tajh, actually the fact this scumbag was involved in
Whitehurst74
spacer Right turn Clyde! Chill, the guy has regret. Let it go.***
ColaTownTiger
spacer You usually do have regrets when you have bill collectors,
Filo Betto
spacer Re: You usually do have regrets when you have bill collectors,
lhaselden
spacer No offense intended, but is there anything that you don't
ShawnC
spacer You talkin' to me Shawn? This is a message board, dude.
Filo Betto
spacer I'm just asking. Like I said.. No offense No worries. lol***
ShawnC
spacer Vick was partially a product of his enviroment
PenthouseTiger
spacer My take on it is this.
ShawnC
spacer Pretty much my take
tiger_thom®
spacer He played a big role in Tajh returning for his senior season
Judge Keller®
spacer Re: He played a big role in Tajh returning for his senior season
Dugatiger®
spacer glass houses
pawsitivelytiger
spacer The point is to learn from mistakes, Vick made them but he
ColaTownTiger
spacer Mike Vick served his time and paied his dues
Drobins
spacer Re: Mike Vick served his time and paid his dues
74TIGER
spacer Yeah, his brother seems to have a real hard time listening
Filo Betto
spacer Well that can't be good***
TigersAndCubs
spacer Bad Newz! (kennels)***
TigersAndCubs
spacer Bad pun coming ...
CUTiger1989®
spacer WOW
facman
spacer ^^^^ Gets it!
CUTiger1989®
spacer NO! he doesn't...
Louis_Cypher
spacer Is he still doing that? If so, then let justice roll.
CUTiger1989®
spacer I can forgive a convict for his past transgressions....
Louis_Cypher
spacer Let me put it another way....
Louis_Cypher
spacer If I was Tajh, there's nothing I'd want to know from Vick
AllTimeClemson
spacer You don't believe that people should get a second chance?
Drobins
spacer Who the hell are you?***
deleted
spacer So, you know both personally?***
CUTiger1989®
spacer I wish I could unsee this article.
ATLOrange®
spacer Why?***
Drobins
spacer I find that a lot of what I've learned in this life...
uproar84
spacer Because Vick didn't fall into the wrong crowd.
ATLOrange®
spacer You don't think he's changed?***
Drobins
spacer If he is committed to change, yes.***
CUTiger1989®
spacer Shame he missed out on the one who started it all in area-
under11par
spacer maybe he gave him tips...
taterhead
spacer Re: Front Page Story: Boyd finds a mentor in Michael Vick
raginranger
spacer Re: Front Page Story: Boyd finds a mentor in Michael Vick
Ridgeland Booster®
spacer Who really cares what those ignorant capons think?***
CUTiger1989®
spacer Allen Iverson Fact...
TigerCC®
spacer Standing Ovation!!!!
FEEL