QUICK FACTS Name: Rakeem Vick Born: June 8, 1989, in Fredricksburg, Va. Mother: Angela Vick Siblings: sister Sharonya; brothers Ronald, Daniel, Lamar Hometown: Fort Washington, Md. High School: Friendly Major at NCCU: Mass Communications Favorite Food: Baked macaroni & cheese and Mom’s barbecue chicken Favorite Song: “Dear Mama” by Tupac Shakur Favorite Movie: “Money Talks” with Chris Tucker Favorite Book: The Outsiders

Question: Why NCCU?
Rakeem Vick: “I chose NCCU because I wanted the experience of attending an HBCU and, being from Maryland, I wanted to experience living in the south.”

Q: What is your major and what do you want to do after graduation?
RV: “My major is mass communications. My goal is to play in the NFL, but if that doesn’t work out I would like to create my own recreation league as a way to give back to the kids in my community.”

Q: What do you like most about NCCU?
RV: “I like the pride that the alumni carry. When I wear my NCCU stuff out in the community, I like the feedback that I get from the NCCU family, the people who bleed maroon and gray.”

Q: What has been your most memorable moment at NCCU?
RV: “My freshman year when we played A&T in Greensboro, I was in the game on fourth and inches. I was a true freshman when the game was down to the wire. Right before E-Ray (Eric Ray) picked the ball off I was right beside him.”

Q: What is your favorite part about game day inside O’Kelly-Riddick Stadium?
RV: “Coming out of the tunnel with the smoke. That tops it all.”

Q: Do you have any pregame rituals?
RV: “Before every game, I find a corner in the shower, get on my knees and pray.”

Q: What’s something interesting about yourself that others may not know?
RV: “A lot of people ask me if I am related to Michael Vick. Actually, I am, on my mother’s side of the family. I am related to R. Kelly too.”

Q: If you could invite any living person to W.G. Pearson Cafeteria for lunch, who would it be?
RV: “Stacey Dash, because she is so beautiful... she is gorgeous. It would make all of my teammates jealous.”

Q: Who is your favorite athlete?
RV: “Kobe Bryant, because of his passion for the game and his work ethic.”

Q: Why football?
RV: “I have been playing since I was four years old. It came to me naturally ever since I was younger. Plus, football is a sport where I can escape. No matter what is going on in my life, when I am on the field none of it matters. I can pour my heart out and express myself through playing football. If I am mad, I can take my anger out on my opponents. It’s like a release for me.”