TMZ Live

Michael Vick tells TMZ ... his involvement with a children's charity is not a publicity stunt to fix his image -- claiming he truly is a changed man ... thanks to his 2-year prison stint.

The Philadelphia Eagles quarterback just called in to "TMZ Live" to talk about his involvement with the Team Freedom Outreach -- a charity that recruits volunteers to play sports with children who are incarcerated.

During the conversation, Vick told us he's truly passionate about the cause -- and claims it's all because of an epiphany he had during his time in prison for running an illegal dog fighting ring.

"Sometimes it takes this ... for a person to go through certain hardships ... to realize what their purpose really is," Vick said.

"I think God placed it on my heart when I was incarcerated to come out and be the best person I can be and to help as many people as I can help."

The sharks BETTER THINK TWICE before getting back on the 405 freeway ... 'cause Tara Reid tells TMZ she's totally down for ANOTHER installment of "Sharknado."

Reid just called in to "TMZ Live" ... and told us she's blown away by all of the fanfare following last night's premiere of the SyFy flick.

"I'm just so glad that people saw the humor in it that I did ... because it's hilarious."

She adds, "This movie was so ridiculous, you know? Like it's almost so bad that it's good."

Tara says she's down to fight even more sharks if SyFy greenlights a sequel ... but it's clear, she's way more fired up about the Sharknado DRINKING GAME!"