Like daughter, like father.

Michael Vick was once an NFL attraction, perhaps the NFL attraction during the prime of his career. In Atlanta, Vick was a must-see attraction, with his unique blend of impromptu scrambling and a strong arm.

Now, his daughter Jada has made a name for herself locally in South Florida as a quarterback for her high school’s girls flag football team.

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Jada actually started playing for her high school team at the age of 10. She’s now 14. But as Vick watched her play and offered assistance to her coaches, he became interested in the sport. That culminated in his participation in the American Flag Football League’s second-ever season and championship tournament, which continues Saturday and concludes Sunday.

Vick also sits on the league’s advisory board. His Florida Fury team features former NFL receiver Jason Avant, former NBA guard Nate Robinson and 1996 Heisman Trophy winner Danny Wuerffel (also on the advisory board).

Vick took some time to chat about his involvement with the AFFL and how he got involved. He also spoke about any interest in being a coach, the upcoming Falcons season and what his relationship with Arthur Blank is like these days.

What interested you in playing flag football and how did you get involved with the AFFL last year?

My daughter, she’s a quarterback for her high school. I just thought that was so inspiring. Over the years, she’d watched me play quarterback in the National Football League and seen so many highlights. She tried to emulate that. I spent a lot of time around flag football, helping her coaches coach and putting plays together. It was an opportunity to get on the field and play. It was a small tribute to her and to show her the things I’ve been trying to teach her that really work. It’s a cool game. That’s what attracted me to it and that’s when I got involved with the AFFL. It’s a cool experience.

In the two years you’ve played in this league, what has your experience been like?

It’s been a cool experience from Year 1 to Year 2, because in Year 1, we were playing 7-on-7. A bunch of pro guys who know pro systems and pro defenses, and just thinking it’s 7-on-7. The game was more complicated than that. Teams are really experienced and really good. They know how to play flag (football); they know the rules. They know what it takes to beat the average team. If the NFL had a 7-on-7 team of guys they just put together, the best superstars, they probably wouldn’t be able to beat the average team in (the AFFL). That’s just how complicated flag football has become in this league. I think it’s cool, man. It makes it super competitive, first and foremost. In Year 2, I had more fun in practice and getting ready for the game, more so than I did in Year 1, because I learned more of the rules.

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What’s the No. 1 thing that has stood out when learning flag football?

How to stop the clock so you can become a passer with no rush. I thought that was cool. Look, any quarterback, if you ask them, what’s their favorite (practice) period, they’ll probably say 7-on-7, because it’s an opportunity for you to read the defense, work on throws, work on accuracy and work on decision making. That’s what it kind of reminds me of — if you get the ball in certain situations or a certain space, and you have time to survey the field. I thought that was cool.

On your team, are there any other former college or NFL players who are playing with you?

Some of the guys have college experience. One teammate this year is Jason Avant, who played for the Philadelphia Eagles and was my teammate for about three years. Jason’s the only (former pro) that made the team. It was a defensive tryout. If you were a pro guy and couldn’t do what was required, you didn’t make the cut. Jason’s the guy who made it on offense. Jason’s one of our key guys. We still got Nate Robinson, who’s going to learn some techniques on defense to rush the passer. That’s about it, man. It’s all about winning.

Do you envision a long-term market for flag football, whether it’s a professional or adult league of this magnitude?

Absolutely, after what I’ve learned and what I’ve seen. There are 7-on-7 tournaments that exist all across the world, especially here in Florida, which is almost like a Mecca for flag football. I just learned about all these tournaments and all these players who came to try out from different leagues. Some of them played together, played against each other. I didn’t know it existed the way it did. That was part of the experience, learning about the origin of flag football and what it takes to be a good flag football player.

You were with the (now-defunct AAF’s) Atlanta Legends as the offensive coordinator, and I was wondering what happened there? And is coaching something you would like to pursue in the future?

I don’t really know what happened with the Legends. You’re probably asking the wrong guy. I was just a guy on a staff. It was a cool experience, but I think right now my focus is going to be on being the best analyst I can be with FOX. I’m trying to get better and better and learn to expand my role and do some things outside of sitting in the studio — if they allow me to. That’s something I know I have to work hard at. I know I can’t be in between being an analyst and a coach. I have to go in one direction, and that’s one thing I’ve learned. In 2019, I have to focus on one thing at a time. Coaching may be there 10 years from now, when I have time for it and my kids are truly grown and out of the house. I still have a younger one who is 1 year old, so that will take some time. I think this is quality time right now. There’s quality teaching going on in the household. Being an analyst has allowed me the time to focus on both so I think that’s the direction I’m going in.

How have you seen yourself grow in the last year as an NFL analyst? And what surprised you about stepping into that kind of role?

I learned some of the things I was doing wrong, I was doing right. And some of the things I was doing right, I was doing wrong, it was minor tweaks. I played the quarterback position, and I was used to having the camera in my face and answering questions. Now, what I’ve learned that I’m talking to an audience, and I’m giving insight. I have to be — not spot-on or precise all the time — but many times, the viewers have to understand exactly what I’m talking about without being overly complicated. It’s a cool challenge as far as waking up on Sundays and getting ready to play a game. My love for the game of football is deep so I study it. It’s easy, and I loved it. I love seeing guys have success and working through failures. It’s part of my competitive nature so I’m thankful I get a chance to talk about it.

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When it comes to the Falcons, what’s your relationship like with Arthur Blank these days and how often do you stay in touch?

I miss Arthur Blank. I wish I could see him all the time and spend more time with him. He’s a great man. He’ll always hold a dear place in my heart just because of the type of man he is and how caring he is and how great of a listener he can be. He’s a guy I know I can call for advice. I haven’t called him in a while, so maybe I’ll give him a call today since you mentioned it.

In general, what are your thoughts on this year’s Falcons team? Obviously, they had the injuries last year, but when they’re healthy and ready to go, what do you think they can do?

Yeah, the Falcons were hit with the injury bug last year, unfortunately. It started in Week 1 when Deion (Jones), Devonta Freeman and Keanu Neal went down. Those are three key components to that team. You needed that combination of Freeman and (Tevin Coleman). They missed out on a lot. But with Julio Jones and (Mohamed) Sanu back, they’re definitely going to make it to the playoffs. From there, it’s anybody’s game. This team will be really, really good. Again, they got the right people in upper management to make sure of that. You can expect to see the Falcons go deep in the playoffs again.

When you first came into the league, it was still pretty run-oriented. I want to know if you were in your prime and playing in today’s passing league, how do you think your skill set have fit, and what kind of numbers do you think you could have put up?

I would have been really good. The thing is, I had talent at the position, and the way offenses are designed today, I think more coaches are catering to their players. They’re drafting a certain type of player to run a certain type of offense. Who knows the kind of coach I would have ended up with, but probably 95 percent of the offensive coordinators today are very sophisticated and understanding of what needs to be done with their quarterbacks. I think I would have landed with a coordinator who would have taken advantage of my talents, and I think I would have been successful.

To follow up, of today’s offensive coaches, are there any who stick out who impress you as innovators of the game?

Andy Reid, for sure. And Sean McVay, for sure, no doubt. Those guys — one in the NFC, one in the AFC — they’re doing great things, man. Innovation at its finest. Sean Payton is still around doing a great job with Drew (Brees). There are a bunch of great coordinators around the league, but those guys stand out. And then what Ben (Roethlisberger) and Randy Fichtner are doing in Pittsburgh, they’ll continue to grow. There are some good ones out there taking advantage of what their quarterbacks are doing.

The AFFL tournament will be streamed on Facebook Watch, YouTube Live and on AFFL.com. Vick’s Florida Fury will take on the AFFL’s 2018 champion Fighting Cancer at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday. 

(Photo of Michael Vick: Courtesy AFFL)