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DURHAM – NFL quarterback Michael Vick spoke to students in Durham Friday to urge them not to get involved in dog fighting.

The Philadelphia Eagles star came to New Horizons Academy of Excellence for at-risk students as part of his ongoing effort with the Humane Society of United States.

New Horizons student Jason McClairy's football hero applauded him after he stood up and admitted he almost took the wrong path.

"I started raising dogs. I was going to go down that path, but I didn't because of what he did,'' McClairy said.

After seeing Vick serve time for running an illegal dog-fighting ring, he decided dog fighting wasn't the right thing for him. Instead, he focused on playing football with the Durham Raiders, a team for at-risk youth.

"He's like my idol at the quarterback position,” McClairy said. “Once he did that, I was like, 'I'm not going to go down that path. It could jeopardize my career.'"

"That means you had a chance of going to jail, being in prison, and getting a felony. I commend you, brother,'' Vick said, shaking McClairy's hand.

At New Horizons, many of the students have been expelled or dropped out of other schools.

"We're trying to provide that second chance opportunity,'' said Director Martina Dunford.

Vick says he's been given a second chance to redeem himself to the public by traveling to urban schools with he Humane Society as part of their End Dogfighting campaign.

"Nobody was more harsh on Michael Vick than the Humane Society of the United States on the onset of his behavior. We see Michael Vick today as an asset to a lot of young people,'' said Ralph Hawthorne, with the Humane Society of the United States.

"We can all make sacrifices and do the right thing to avoid that situation and put yourself in a position to make your family proud,'' Vick said from the podium.

Vick spent about an hour and a half with students. He answered their questions and signed autographs.