PHILADELPHIA — The same Michael Vick who was rotting in a federal prison cell 18 months ago got a jersey request from the Pro Football Hall of Fame yesterday.
Pardon the Eagles’ rejuvenated quarterback if he pinches himself at that amazing turn of events, even if Vick realizes some people will never pardon him for his dog-fighting sins.
“I think about it all the time, and that’s my motivation, that’s what drives me,” Vick said yesterday, when asked about how far he has come since his 18-month prison stint ended in May 2009.
“Every time I step on the field on gameday, it’s like Christmas to me,” he said. “I went from being in a prison cell and watching football in prison to having an opportunity now to go out and play the game I love, and it’s great.”
Vick is the hottest story in the NFL — and perhaps all of sports — after a game for the ages Monday night in Washington, when he became the league’s first player ever to account for 300 yards passing, 50 yards rushing, four passing touchdowns and two rushing TDs in a game.
That epic performance in the lead-in to Philadelphia’s showdown Sunday night with the NFC East co-leading Giants is why the Hall of Fame sent word that it wanted Vick’s game jersey — prompting an awed response from said jersey’s current owner.
“I’ll probably never have another day like that again in my career,” Vick said.
But the Hall’s request and the flurry of attention and accolades the followed the 59-28 win over the Redskins — Vick was named NFC Offensive Player of the Week for the second game in a row — are a double-edged sword for Vick.
That’s because the infamous former “BadNewz Kennels” owner said yesterday that he realizes the good publicity likely is to be accompanied by a revival of the fury from those who will never be able to forgive him for his crime (like PETA).
Vick doesn’t begrudge his detractors for feeling that way, except to promise that he won’t give them any more ammunition for their anger.
“I don’t have to think about going back down the path that I’ve been down because it’s not going to happen,” vowed Vick, who is still on probation for the felony conviction. “I can live my life with a clear mind every day knowing that I’m moving forward.”
Vick’s teammates don’t consider the new, remorseful version of their quarterback to be an act for the cameras.
“What you see from Mike in front of the cameras is what we see from him in here [locker room], on the field and away from the field,” tight end Brent Celek said. “He’s just a great guy, and I say that sincerely.”
From listening to Eagles coaches and players, Vick isn’t just a changed man off the field, either.
Eagles offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg and quarterbacks coach James Durban are starting to get credit for the impact they have had on Vick’s approach to the game, from slightly altering his throwing style to enabling him to see the field better to improving his patience.
The results so far have been astounding and MVP-worthy: Vick is completing a career-high 62.7 percent of his passes while throwing for 11 touchdowns and zero interceptions for the 6-3 Birds.
After six appearances since taking over for the injured Kevin Kolb in Week 1, Vick is the only passer in the league, with a minimum of 134 attempts, that has yet to throw a pick this year.
“I thought about that just a couple of days ago: If I could’ve started my career here, where would I be?” Vick said. “Would I have ended up in some of the things that I got involved in? You never know. You can only think about it.”
The Eagles don’t see Vick straying from that newly humble path should he continue to pile up on-field success.
“Michael knows this better than anybody, and I don’t have to really say a word to him,” Eagles coach Andy Reid said. “You could be on the top of the mountain one day in the NFL, then at the bottom of the well the next day.
“Michael has been in this league a long time, so he understands it.”
bhubbuch@nypost.com