The NFL Annual Meeting concluded, but not before Commissioner Goodell made it clear what Michael would have to do to return to the playing field:

“I’m not going to make a judgment until I know all the facts on Michael Vick. I think it’s clear he’s paid a price, but to a large extent he’s going to have to demonstrate to the larger community — not just to the NFL community and to me — that he has remorse for what he did and that he recognizes mistakes that he made. Everyone makes mistakes, but he has to show that genuine remorse in his ability to be a positive influence to correct the things that he did wrong publicly.”

How hard can that be? All Michael has to do is say he deeply regrets what he did (publicly, duh) and maybe make a few smart (common sense) public relations decisions and he’s good to go. I’m sorry, I don’t sympathize with Michael’s situation. He’s been in prison for almost two years. Yes, he’s paid his debt to society and yes he deserves another chance to get his life together. But does that mean he’s entitled to the privileges — and I emphasize privileges — of employment in the National Football League again? I don’t think so. Commissioner Goodell said “everyone makes mistakes.” That is true. I certainly make my fair share of them. But, not everyone tortures and kills dogs for fun. I guess there are varying levels of mistakes that need to be taken into consideration here. The Commissioner also said he needs to know all the facts about Michael before making a judgment. Like he doesn’t know them already? The facts have been pretty well documented for the entire world to read. I don’t know what other facts he could be talking about.

Essentially, there will be two sides here — those that think dogs are “just animals” and those who support animal rights. Obviously, I am of the latter. Maybe Michael is a changed man. Maybe he is truly sorry for what he did. I can’t express enough how I hope that’s true. But that doesn’t mean he should have his hand stamped for re-entry into the league again just because he says he’s sorry. If the Commissioner is really sincere about enforcing the type of behavior he not only expects, but demands, from NFL players, he’ll make an example of Michael’s situation and “revoke his membership” permanently. Sounds harsh, doesn’t it? Well, the punishment should fit the crime.

Source: USA Today, Photo: Newscom

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Commissioner to Reinstate Michael Vick?

Blogcasting the National Football League, Blogcasting the NFL

In an interview with the New York Daily News, Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank said Michael Vick is playing football in prison to keep himself in shape.

“Apparently, there was a prison football team and he played quarterback for both sides ….. He’s written me a couple of times. I’ve written him back, he’s stayed in touch ….. I just try to be supportive and as understanding as I can be. He talks about the process he is going through and what he has learned, the lessons of life, how he’s going to come out a different person. He’s sorry he has affected so many people in a negative way — the league, our club, our fans. He feels awful about that. The letters sound quite sincere to me. From a mental standpoint, he sounds good.”

At least this is good news, but the whole situation is a sad state of affairs. Michael is at the United States Penitentiary in Leavenworth, KS (the minimum security satellite prison camp), serving a 23-month term after pleading guilty last August to a federal dogfighting conspiracy. Even if he is released in July 2009 (keep in mind Michael will go to trial on state dogfighting charges in Virginia this June), he will have lost several seasons in the prime of his career — or what’s left of it. The bottom line here is hoping Michael comes out of this experience a changed man for the better. And it looks as though that is happening. If he can get back into the National Football League on top of turning his life around, it will be the best possible scenario. I hope both of those things happen.

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Michael Vick Playing Football in Prison

Michael Vick was sentenced to 23 months in prison today. That’s longer than two co-defendants because he lied about his involvement when he was supposed to be coming clean to the judge who would decide his fate. He received a harsher sentence than the others in the federal conspiracy case because of “less than truthful” statements about killing pit bulls. Michael said he accepted responsibility for his actions, but U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson said he wasn’t so sure. I’m not so sure, either. Despite his early surrender, a public apology and participation in an animal sensitivity training course, Michael was denied an “acceptance of responsibility” credit that would have reduced his sentence. Judge Hudson said evidence, including statements by the co-defendants, showed Michael was more directly involved than he admitted. Judge Hudson also mentioned that Michael had been deceptive on a polygraph test. Though that evidence was not admissible in court, the results were discussed.

I think Michael’s been trying to find the easiest way out of this mess since he got himself into it. I’m sure he felt he was the invincible Michael Vick, a sort of superman who could get away with whatever he wanted to, but obviously, life doesn’t work that way. Now, I don’t blame him for doing what he could to get the sentence reduced, but Judge Hudson wasn’t buying into it.

Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank, whose team is playing on MNF against the New Orleans Saints tonight, said:

“This is a difficult day for Michael’s family and for a lot of us, including many of our players and fans who have been emotionally invested in Michael over the years. We sincerely hope that Michael will use this time to continue to focus his efforts on making positive changes in his life, and we wish him well in that regard.”

Michael has thrown his financially comfortable life away. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution estimated that he has financial losses of $142 million, including $71 million in Falcons salary, $50 million in endorsement income and nearly $20 million in previously paid bonuses. Funny as I’m reading those outlandish numbers, I actually thought it was more than that.

This whole situation is a very sad disaster for all involved. Michael is obviously paying for his mistakes and as I’ve said before, I hope the nearly two-year jail sentence will find him a better man when he regains his freedom. According to defense attorney Lawrence Woodward, Michael is already on the road to recovery:

“He just wants a chance to prove himself when all this is over. But the other thing he said to me, which I also think is important for everyone to know, is that he understood that some of the things he was doing in life and off the field were dangerous, and he told me he feels lucky that he’s alive and not hurt and now it’s all about the future.”

I guess you can’t ask for much more than that from the guy. He made a terrible mistake. He admitted his mistake. He’ll do the time for that mistake and lose everything he had in terms of his career and money. He’s been pretty much stripped down to nothing. Does he deserve another chance when he is released from jail? Of course he does. Will anyone give him one? That’s yet to be seen.

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Michael Vick Sentenced to 23 Months, Deception Added to the Punishment

In an apparent attempt to speed his return to football, Michael Vick began serving time in prison yesterday, more than three weeks before he is scheduled to be sentenced after pleading guilty to federal dogfighting charges. He will spend Thanksgiving at the Northern Neck Regional Jail in Warsaw, VA. Michael is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson on December 10 in Richmond, and by beginning his jail time, he will be credited with time served. According to the sentencing guidelines, Vick faces from a year to 18 months in prison.

I can’t imagine what the next year holds for Michael. Hopefully he’s already learned his lessons, but over the course of the next 12 months, hopefully he’ll become a new and better man.

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Michael Vick Begins Serving Time

As if he wasn’t in enough hot water, Michael Vick learned of more trouble heading his way today. Already looking at a federal prison term for bankrolling a dogfighting operation in Virginia, he now faces two state charges that could get him more prison time if he’s convicted. A Surry County grand jury indicted Michael and three co-defendants today, but his lawyers will fight the state charges on the grounds that he can’t be convicted twice of the same crime.

If that wasn’t enough, it was announced today that Royal Bank of Canada has sued Michael for more than $2.3 million. The bank argued that his guilty plea to federal dogfighting charges and the resulting impact on his career have prevented him from repaying a $2.5 million real estate investment loan. The bank is demanding $2,313,694.37, plus $499 in interest per day, starting Sept. 19, as well as attorney’s fees.

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More Trouble For Michael Vick

Michael Vick officially pleaded guilty to federal dogfighting charges today and then apologized for his actions in a press conference. Here is the transcript of that apology:

“You know, I understand it’s — it’s important or not important, you know, as far as what you say but how you say things. So, you know, I take this opportunity just to speak from the heart. First, I want to apologize, you know, for all the things that — that I’ve done and that I have allowed to happen. I want to personally apologize to commissioner Goodell, Arthur Blank, coach Bobby Petrino, my Atlanta Falcons teammates, you know, for our — for our previous discussions that we had. And I was not honest and forthright in our discussions, and, you know, I was ashamed and totally disappointed in myself to say the least. I want to apologize to all the young kids out there for my immature acts and, you know, what I did was, what I did was very immature so that means I need to grow up. I totally ask for forgiveness and understanding as I move forward to bettering Michael Vick the person, not the football player. I take full responsibility for my actions. For one second will I sit right here — not for one second will I sit right here and point the finger and try to blame anybody else for my actions or what I’ve done. I’m totally responsible, and those things just didn’t have to happen. I feel like we all make mistakes. It’s just I made a mistake in using bad judgment and making bad decisions. And you know, those things, you know, just can’t happen. Dog fighting is a terrible thing, and I did reject it. I’m upset with myself, and, you know, through this situation I found Jesus and asked him for forgiveness and turned my life over to God. And I think that’s the right thing to do as of right now. Like I said, for this — for this entire situation I never pointed the finger at anybody else, I accepted responsibility for my actions of what I did and now I have to pay the consequences for it. But in a sense, I think it will help, you know, me as a person. I got a lot to think about in the next year or so. I offer my deepest apologies to everybody out in there in the world who was affected by this whole situation. And if I’m more disappointed with myself than anything it’s because of all the young people, young kids that I’ve let down, who look at Michael Vick as a role model. And to have to go through this and put myself in this situation, you know, I hope that every young kid out there in the world watching this interview right now who’s been following the case will use me as an example to using better judgment and making better decisions. Once again, I offer my deepest apologies to everyone. And I will redeem myself. I have to. So I got a lot of down time, a lot of time to think about my actions and what I’ve done and how to make Michael Vick a better person. Thank you.”

Sentencing was set for December 10 and Michael could be sent to prison for one to five years. It was necessary for him to make the apology and take responsibility for his actions. It’s the first step on his road to recovery and hopefully, like I’ve said many times before, he will be sincere in his efforts to be a better person. Only time will tell.

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Michael Vick Pleads Guilty, Apologizes

Just hours after Michael Vick filed a plea agreement, admitting to conspiracy in a dogfighting ring and helping to kill pit bulls, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell suspended him indefinitely without pay. The Commissioner said he would review the suspension after all the legal proceedings had run their course.

Michael acknowledged bankrolling gambling on the dogfights, but denied placing bets himself or taking any of the winnings. He also admitted that dogs who were not worthy of the pit were killed “as a result of the collective efforts” of himself and two co-defendants. But Michael wasn’t about to squirm out of this situation by massaging the truth. Commissioner Goodell found no reason to wait until Monday when U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson will formally accept the plea and set a sentencing date likely to land Vick in prison for one to five years. The Commissioner said Michael’s admitted conduct was “not only illegal but also cruel and reprehensible.” Even if he didn’t personally place bets, Goodell said in a letter to Michael yesterday (in part):

“Your actions in funding the betting and your association with illegal gambling both violate the terms of your NFL player contract and expose you to corrupting influences in derogation of one of the most fundamental responsibilities of an NFL player. You have engaged in conduct detrimental to the welfare of the NFL and have violated the league’s personal conduct policy. You are now justifiably facing consequences for the decisions you made and the conduct in which you engaged. Your career, freedom and public standing are now in the most serious jeopardy. I hope that you will be able to learn from this difficult experience and emerge from it better prepared to act responsibly and to make the kinds of choices that are expected of a conscientious and law abiding citizen.”

Commissioner Goodell then gave the Falcons the green light to “assert any claims or remedies” to recover $22 million of Vick’s signing bonus from the 10-year, $130 million contract he signed in 2004. Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank released the following statement:

“Today, Michael Vick admitted his guilt to very serious charges related to his earlier indictment. His admissions describe actions that are incomprehensible and unacceptable for a member of the National Football League and the Atlanta Falcons. We respect and support the Commissioner’s decision today to place Michael Vick on an indefinite suspension. As with other actions he has taken this year, the Commissioner is making a strong statement that conduct which tarnishes the good reputation of the NFL will not be tolerated. We hope that Michael will use this time, not only to further address his legal matters, but to take positive steps to improve his personal life.”

This is really a sad story in so many ways. Obviously, some dogs were brutally hurt and/or killed and that unfortunately can’t be reversed. And Michael Vick has probably thrown away his NFL career in the process. We know he’s going to jail so he’s also thrown away his freedom. And the despicable acts of cruelty he was involved in are shocking to those who knew him as a very different person. I’m not one of those people. I didn’t “know” Michael, but my only run-in with him left me with the impression that he was a thug. I’ve carried that opinion around for years and after having watched this whole situation play out (and a number of other “incidents”) over the years, I’m not one of those people who is surprised. What I do hope for is that Michael will emerge from this a truly changed and better person.

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NFL Suspends Michael Vick Indefinitely

Michael Vick filed his plea agreement in federal court today, admitting to conspiracy in a dogfighting ring and helping to kill pit bulls. He denied ever betting on the fights, though. He says he only bankrolled them. Then again, who knows what to believe because he initially said he had no involvement whatsoever. Michael is scheduled to formally enter his plea Monday in U.S. District Court. He signed the plea agreement yesterday.

The statement said that when the kennel’s dogs won, the gambling proceeds were generally shared by Michael’s three co-defendants — Tony Taylor, Purnell Peace and Quanis Phillips. It also stated that Michael was involved with the others in killing six to eight dogs that did not perform well in testing sessions last April. The dogs were executed by drowning or hanging. In the plea agreement, the government committed to recommending a sentence on the low end of the federal sentencing guideline range of a year to 18 months. However, the conspiracy charge is punishable by up to five years in prison, and the judge is not bound by any recommendation or by the sentencing guidelines. U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson, who will accept Michael’s plea, has a reputation for imposing stiff sentences, according to lawyers who have appeared in his court. Michael will not be sentenced for several months.

Michael’s attorney, Billy Martin, said MV will “speak to the public and explain his actions,” but he declined to say whether that will occur in court or in a news conference after Monday’s hearing. I’ll keep you “posted” (literally).

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Michael Vick Files Plea in Federal Court

With three co-defendents prepared to testify that he brutally executed dogs and bankrolled gambling, Michael Vick has accepted a plea deal on federal charges relating to allegations of his involvement in a professional dogfighting operation. Michael will now formally enter the guilty plea next Monday, August 27. The charges carry a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Michael’s lawyer, Billy Martin, issued the following statement today:

“After consulting with his family over the weekend, Michael Vick asked that I announce today that he has reached an agreement with federal prosecutors regarding the charges pending against him. Mr. Vick has agreed to enter a plea of guilty to those charges and to accept full responsibility for his actions and the mistakes he has made. Michael wishes to apologize again to everyone who has been hurt by this matter.”

In a response to this latest news, an NFL spokesman issued this statement:

“We are aware of Michael Vick’s decision to enter a guilty plea to the federal charges against him and accept responsibility for his conduct. We totally condemn the conduct outlined in the charges, which is inconsistent with what Michael Vick previously told both our office and the Falcons. We will conclude our own review under the league’s personal conduct policy as soon as possible. In the meantime, we have asked the Falcons to continue to refrain from taking action pending a decision by the commissioner.”

Many questions have been answered, but many more remain.

• How much jail time will Michael serve?
• Will he ever play football again?
• Did he actually participate in the killing of the animals?

Michael has already thrown away a $130 million contract and multiple lucrative endorsement deals. But the most important element of this entire situation is Michael’s recovery. He committed the crime. He’ll do the time. I just hope he’s a changed man after all of this. And it doesn’t matter what future image he reveals to the public. I mean, it does matter of he wants to get his football career back. But, will he come out of this truly a better person? He might be able to say all the right things and fake his way back into the good graces of society (although I consider even that a long shot), but will he really be sorry? And even so, if he actually killed these animals as one co-defendent claimed — forgiveness will not come easy. He could commit almost any other crime, but if he actually killed these dogs, that’s going to be a tough one for society to forget.

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Michael Vick Accepts Deal, Will Enter Guilty Plea on Dogfighting Charges Next Week

In a follow-up to my post back on the 13th, Michael Vick’s last two co-defendants pleaded guilty today and implicated Michael in bankrolling gambling on dogfights. One of them even said he helped drown or hang dogs that didn’t do well. Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank was in nearby Orchard Park, NY tonight for the Falcons/Bills game and said Michael’s attorneys were negotiating with prosecutors earlier today, trying to hammer out a plea deal:

“It seems to be a pretty clear indication there will be some sort of plea entered. When? I’m not positive. It’s just very sad. It’s sad that those allegations exist and now they are confirmed by others. It’s sad that Michael has put himself into that kind of situation. It’s his responsibility for putting himself into that situation.”

Entering into a plea bargain is an admission of guilt and although Michael said he “looked forward to clearing his name” earlier, it appears he’s going to have to fess-up, admit he was involved and serve jail time (less jail time by entering a plea than he would if he let the thing go to trial). According to statements by the co-defendents, the Bad Newz Kennels operation and gambling monies were almost exclusively funded by Michael. Those allegations alone could trigger a lifetime ban under the NFL’s personal conduct policy.

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Michael Vick’s Co-Defendents Plead Guilty