Michael Vick just can't lose. A few weeks after signing the biggest contract ever for an NFL rookie, Vick ran away with $5,000 for winning, of all things, a video game.

That was just one exciting moment from this past weekend's NFL Rookie Premiere in Orlando. From eating alligator with Cleveland WR Quincy Morgan to learning dance steps from Seattle WR Koren Robinson, I was able to see a more personable side of the world's newest millionaires.

The purpose of the trip was for the players to take pictures for four trading-card companies: Playoff, Fleer, Topps and Upper Deck. The companies invited the players who they think will be most in demand once the 2001 season gets underway. This was the first chance for the players to wear their official team uniforms, posing in front of cameras under the VERY hot Florida sunshine.

Before their first photo shoot Saturday at the Citrus Bowl, the players participated in the second Video Game Challenge Friday night. Imagine, 16 NFL rookies sitting in a hotel room, playing Acclaim Sports NFL 2000.

By a little after 11:30 Friday night, only four men were standing -- Vick, Robinson, Philadelphia WR Freddie Mitchell and Oakland QB Marques Tuiasosopo. Sure, some serious money was at stake, but judging from the trash-talking going on, you knew it was all about pride. I don't think Chicago WR David Terrell will ever get over the fact that his control stick was "broken", causing him to lose a tight one to Baltimore TE Todd Heap.

The highlight of the weekend was Friday's visit to "Give Kids the World," a resort that fulfills the wishes of terminally ill children who want to visit Disneyland. After a brief autograph session, Minnesota RB Michael Bennett played a game of basketball with a young girl in the pool, while Mitchell and Tuiasosopo became personal water taxis for some other girls.

After a few hours, it was hard to tell who really felt lucky -- the kids who have undergone hours of chemotherapy and other medical treatments or the players, who were allowed to be "kids" again, while putting smiles on the faces of people who could care less how many passes they complete or how many receptions they make.

I hope to make a return trip to this event next year. Yeah, three days in Orlando is hard work, but this weekend allowed me to see players be something we so often fail to let them be -- human.

Monica Lewis covers the NFL for ESPN The Magazine. E-mail Monica. Lewis@espnmag.com.