Debt Collectors File Involuntary Bankruptcy Petitions Against Michael Vick

(L-R) Michael Vick and Kijafa Vick attend “Evolution of the Black Quarterback” premiere at The Apollo Theater on September 24, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Prime Video)

*Three debt collectors have filed involuntary Chapter 7 bankruptcy petitions against former NFL star Michael Vickand his wife, Kijafa, in Florida.

According to TMZ, the creditors — Gerald Lee Craig, Eduardo De Arkos, and Kathleen Safreed — claim the couple owes them $509,652.42 from an unpaid 2018 loan. They are asking a federal judge to place the couple into involuntary bankruptcy to recover the debt through their assets. Vick’s attorney has called the move “frivolous.”

“This frivolous attempt at forcing Michael Vick into involuntary bankruptcy is a continuation of the shenanigans which began with the secondary securities market purporting to sell a usurious debt without Mr. Vick’s knowledge,” said Vick’s attorney, Arthur J. Jones.

“It is especially spurious for the petitioners to take this action after Mr. Vick has tried to work with them to satisfy the debt in an appropriate amount. We fully expect that they will be sanctioned by the federal court if they continue down this road.”

Jones added, “Legalities aside, it is also foolish to seek media attention aimed at wrongfully harming Mr. Vick’s name and reputation when the idea should be to resolve matters instead of create new ones or waste time. This law office will take all actions permissible under the law to address any and all harm caused by the petitioners with this bankruptcy filing.”

Vick was selected by the Atlanta Falcons with the first pick of the 2001 draft and played with the team for six seasons. After his prison stint for running a dog fighting operation, Vick returned in 2009 with the Philadelphia Eagles for five seasons. He served as a backup for the New York Jets and Pittsburgh Steelers.

Vick reportedly made over $115 million during his 13-year NFL career. He officially retired in 2017.

The four-time NFL Pro Bowl quarterback recently announced he was accepting the head football coaching job at Norfolk State.