NFL: Vick scores two touchdowns triumphant Atlanta return
Michael Vick
Former gridiron superstar Michael Vick scored his first touchdowns since returning to the National Football League after a jail term against his former club here on Sunday.
Vick scored on a five-yard run in the third quarter and threw a five-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter for Philadelphia in a 34-7 victory at Atlanta  drawing cheers from the same crowd that had welcomed him with boos.
"I can't be more thankful " Vick said. "I was overwhelmed by the crowd's reaction. I'm so glad I had a second chance. It was awesome.
Exposed details of animal cruelty by Vick - including slaying of dogs through such methods as beating  drowning and electrocution - have brought an apology and speeches to youth groups by Vick on not doing as he once did.
"My goal was to get the crowd on their feet and let them know I miss them too " Vick said. "I knew it would be 50-50. I totally understand."
Hurting Falcons fans who dreamed of a first-ever Super Bowl behind Vick's run- pass skills took out their anger when he came onto the field  booing him on runs of three and four yards for Philadelphia on the Eagles' first drive.
But in his first appearance of the second half in place of Eagles starter Donovan McNabb  Vick received the ball on a direct long snap and ran up the middle  diving into the end zone for his first touchdown since last scoring for the Falcons on October 15  2006.
 first appearance of the second half in place of Eagles starter Donovan McNabb  Vick received the ball on a direct long snap and ran up the middle  diving into the end zone for his first touchdown since last scoring for the Falcons on October 15  2006.
"It was a great feeeling to get into the end zone. It was as if time stopped on that play " Vick said. "When I scored that touchdown  the entire bench was halfway onto the field (to congratulate me)."
Vick connected with Brent Celek on a five-yard touchdown pass with 2:29 elapsed in the fourth quarter  completing an emotional return with the best day yet in his comeback  prompting Falcon fans to chant "We want Vick."
"As loud as it gets in the stadium  it sent chills down my spine " Vick said. "It was nice to hear that people are willing to give me a second chance."
"I want this to be an inspiring story " Vick said. "Things may happen but you have to persevere  make strides week in and week out.
Former teammates greeted Vick warmly  including hugs from Todd McClure  his former center with the Falcons  and Atlanta receiver Roddy White. Vick served as a captain for the game and was on the field for the opening coin toss.
"Everybody felt it and rallied around him " Reid said. "Fans in general calling out his name at the end there  I'm proud of them for giving him a second chance."
Reid said he had no special advice for Vick on how to handle the homecoming  but Vick revealed the coach had predicted Vick's two-touchdown performance.
 had no special advice for Vick on how to handle the homecoming  but Vick revealed the coach had predicted Vick's two-touchdown performance.
[TGT] scored [TGT] first touchdowns since returning to the National Football League after a jail term against [TGT] former club here on Sunday.
[TGT] scored on a five-yard run in the third quarter and threw a five-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter for Philadelphia in a 34-7 victory at Atlanta  drawing cheers from the same crowd that had welcomed [TGT] with boos.
"I can't be more thankful " [TGT] said. "I was overwhelmed by the crowd's reaction. I'm so glad I had a second chance. It was awesome.
Exposed details of animal cruelty by Vick - including slaying of dogs through such methods as beating  drowning and electrocution - have brought an apology and speeches to youth groups by [TGT] on not doing as [TGT] once did.
"My goal was to get the crowd on their feet and let them know I miss them too " [TGT] said. "I knew it would be 50-50. I totally understand."
Hurting Falcons fans who dreamed of a first-ever Super Bowl behind Vick's run- pass skills took out their anger when [TGT] came onto the field  booing [TGT] on runs of three and four yards for Philadelphia on the Eagles' first drive.
But in [TGT] first appearance of the second half in place of Eagles starter Donovan McNabb  [TGT] received the ball on a direct long snap and ran up the middle  diving into the end zone for [TGT] first touchdown since last scoring for the Falcons on October 15  2006.
 first appearance of the second half in place of Eagles starter Donovan McNabb  [TGT] received the ball on a direct long snap and ran up the middle  diving into the end zone for [TGT] first touchdown since last scoring for the Falcons on October 15  2006.
"It was a great feeeling to get into the end zone. It was as if time stopped on that play " Vick said. "When I scored that touchdown  the entire bench was halfway onto the field (to congratulate me)."
[TGT] connected with Brent Celek on a five-yard touchdown pass with 2:29 elapsed in the fourth quarter  completing an emotional return with the best day yet in [TGT] comeback  prompting Falcon fans to chant "We want [TGT]."
"As loud as it gets in the stadium  it sent chills down my spine " [TGT] said. "It was nice to hear that people are willing to give me a second chance."
"I want this to be an inspiring story " [TGT] said. "Things may happen but you have to persevere  make strides week in and week out.
Former teammates greeted [TGT] warmly  including hugs from Todd McClure  his former center with the Falcons  and Atlanta receiver Roddy White. [TGT] served as a captain for the game and was on the field for the opening coin toss.
"Everybody felt it and rallied around him " Reid said. "Fans in general calling out his name at the end there  I'm proud of them for giving him a second chance."
Reid said he had no special advice for [TGT] on how to handle the homecoming  but [TGT] revealed the coach had predicted [TGT]'s two-touchdown performance.
 had no special advice for [TGT] on how to handle the homecoming  but [TGT] revealed the coach had predicted [TGT]'s two-touchdown performance.