Michael Vick is conquering his economic demons with a VENGEANCE -- tackling creditors in his bankruptcy case left and right ... and TMZ has learned, he's just a paycheck away from total financial freedom.

You'll recall ... Vick filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in July 2008 after the infamous dog-fighting scandal -- when he lost his NFL salary and several lucrative endorsement deals. According to court docs, Vick owed approximately $20 MILLION to dozens of creditors.

But Vick's been busting his ass to pay off his debts ever since he was reinstated with the Eagles in 2009 -- in fact, according to a new filing in his bankruptcy case, he's already reduced his outstanding debt to less than $400,000.

According to the docs, the outstanding debt is owed to Bank of America (related to one of his properties), BMW financial services, and his friendly neighborhood tax collector.

Sounds like a lot of money -- but to put it in perspective ... Vick earned over $11 MILLION between July and September 2011.

Michael Vick is finally speaking out about his troubled younger brother Marcus Vick ... telling TMZ he hopes the former college football star "will learn" from his current stint behind bars.

As we previously reported, Marcus Vick is serving 10 days in a Newport News, Virginia jail for failing to appear at 2 court dates stemming from a driving on a suspended license charge.

Now, Michael tells TMZ, "Marcus is now taking responsibility for his actions. I hope he will learn from this and move forward in the right direction.”

Marcus is set to complete his sentence in a few days ... but officials say he will be immediately  transferred from Newport News to Montgomery County, where he's a wanted man for failing to appear in a civil case.
 

Michael Vick says his publicist's identity has been stolen -- claiming some stranger has been calling around New York for Fashion Week invites on the quarterback's behalf ... without his permission.

There are reports Vick put his rep on a powerdialing mission for NY Fashion Week invites next month -- but the NFL star's actual rep Chris Shigas tells TMZ ... he's being framed.

According to Shigas, neither he nor Vick has put in requests for invites to the giant citywide fashion events -- often attended by pro athletes like Amar'e Stoudemire.

Shigas adds, Vick doesn't even WANT to go to Fashion Week -- and if he finds out who's been making the phony phone calls ... they're in for trouble.

As for rumors Vick is tying the knot this summer -- Shigas tells us, that's all still up in the air.

Michael Vick just made another deposit in the karma bank ... 'cause dude inspired a young dogg -- Nate Dogg's son -- by reaching out to talk football and family this week.

Here's how Vick connected with Naijiel Hale -- a football stud at Lakewood High, outside Los Angeles.

Naijiel's mom entered him in a Vick giveaway contest on Facebook by telling the Eagles QB ... her son is a huge fan of his, and "a sophomore starting DB (defensive back) with awesome grades :)"

Couple days later Vick personally responded with an email to Naiji, saying ... "Congratulations on a good season and thank you for the support." Naijiel told his hero, "Its been a hard year with my dad passing," and added he and Nate Dogg used to watch Vick play every game.

A rep tells TMZ, Vick decided to contact Naiji after reading about his H.S. football success -- leading the league in interceptions -- despite his father's death in March.

In his last email Vick said, "Sorry to hear about your father but glad to see you're being strong and keep achieving."

Now, if he can just get back on the field for the Eagles.

Michael Vick is gonna make you wish YOU were bankrupt, because we found out how much he's making and how much he's spending, and it's just plain sick.

Vick is required to submit financial documents to the bankruptcy court ... documents which TMZ has obtained.  From July - Sept., 2011, Vick earned $11,781,848.68. 

Here's how the big stuff breaks down.  On Sept. 13th, the Philadelphia Eagles sent Vick a check for $5,838,883.57.  On the same day, the Eagles sent him another check for a measly $349,464.54.  On Sept. 20th, Vick got another check from the Eagles for $359,484.99.  And on Sept. 27, the Eagles sent him another $340,012.13. In September alone, the Eagles, sent him around $6.8 million.

But Vick is fueling the American economy as well, because his expenses are humongous.  Between July - Sept., 2011, Vick spent $6,636,805.73.  Of that, $47,500 went to alimony and child support.  And the dreaded lawyers and accountants got $1,372,070 for bankruptcy services.  Vick's living expenses, not including his mortgage, are $73,000. 

Oh yeah, the whole government thing -- $4,873,290.91 in taxes. Tea anyone?

T.I. has a lot in common with Michael Vick -- especially the part where they spent a couple of years in prison -- but last night T.I. paid tribute to the guy who's proven it's possible to bounce back.

T.I. and his wife Tiny hit up a Halloween costume party at the Gold Room in Atlanta -- T.I. dressed as Mike Vick... his wife dressed as a ref.

Sources close to the rapper tell TMZ ... the costume was his wife's idea, but T.I. agreed because he's been an MV fan since the Atlanta Falcons days ... and has a ton of respect for the guy.

So, we gotta ask ... is T.I. trying to make a statement??


10:23 AM PST -- Mike Vick LOVES the tribute!!!

The NFL star released a statement to TMZ saying, “T.I. is a talented artist and I appreciate his support. I wish him success in everything he does.”

Cleveland Browns star Peyton Hillis just beat out Michael Vick for the coveted cover of the Madden NFL 12 video game -- but the running back is super humble, telling us Vick deserved it more.



Peyton had a breakout season last year -- but when we caught up with him in NYC ... all he wanted to do was talk about Vick, saying, "He knows as well as I know ... he probably deserved it a little more than me."

We're sure Hillis wanting Vick to take the cover has nothing to do with the dreaded Madden curse.

Hillis also revealed his backup plan for pro football. Just in case.

Michael Vick's former high school has REFUSED to re-hang the NFL star's framed prep football jersey in their hallway ... despite a spirited student-initiated campaign ... TMZ has learned.


Vick's jersey had been on display in the hallway at Warwick High in Newport News, VA until 2007 ... when he was busted for that whole dogfighting ring. However, after Vick's incredible NFL comeback this past season, hundreds of students rallied to get administrators to forgive Vick and re-hang his old #7.

But school officials have made their decision -- telling TMZ the jersey will NOT be returned on display for the remainder of the year.

Officials tell us they believe the jersey would be a "distraction to the student's education" ... plus, faculty members are concerned the jersey could be vandalized or stolen.

We're told the decision is not set in stone -- and school officials tell us they may consider returning the jersey to a place of honor sometime in the future.

Michael Vick is doing an autograph show at the Dulles Expo Center today in Virginia -- and at the exact same time, the same venue is hosting the Super Pet Expo. Ruh-roh!


Vick is a featured guest today at the Collectors' Showcase of America, where he is supposed to sign autographs this afternoon. The event takes place in the North Hall of the complex while the Super Pet Expo is taking place in the South Hall.

Let's hope everyone plays nice.

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick has canceled plans to do a sit-down interview with Oprah Winfrey ... in what would have been his first major interview since being released from prison.



So far, no word on why Vick pulled the plug.

Mike has one hell of a story to tell -- after seemingly turning his life around and putting together an unbelievable season with the Eagles after being out of the game for two years.

UPDATE: Vick released a statement saying, “After careful consideration, I will need to postpone the taping of the Oprah Winfrey interview scheduled for February 22."

He continues, "I admire and respect Oprah and hope to be able to participate in an interview in the future.”

Michael Vick got a key to the city of Dallas this weekend -- but the Mayor of Dallas is not only washing his hands of matter ... he's a little pissed Vick got the honor.


Mayor Pro Tem Dwaine Caraway (who is actually a Councilman who can fill in for the mayor in a pinch) gave Vick the honor -- stirring a post Super Bowl controversy in Big D -- but did so without the knowledge of Mayor Tom Leppert.

Leppert says, "The action taken was not sanctioned by my office and was not an official ceremonial honor on behalf of the City of Dallas. [This was] done without my knowledge or approval."

Caraway said the gesture was more ceremonial than official, though those "keys" really don't do anything anyway.