The Michael Vick Story

[Lord Avalon]

Sorry, Goodell's got a bigger banning stick.

[DanS]

When is he to be sentenced?

[-Jrabbit]

I believe this means that the Falcons can now file a claim for return of bonus monies.

[Grandpa Troll]

Originally posted by SlowwHand
Roger Goodell made public a private message?




MING!!!!!!!

MING!!!

[Grandpa Troll]

Originally posted by -Jrabbit
I believe this means that the Falcons can now file a claim for return of bonus monies.

Yes

-Jrabbit, I wonder if in such a case as this, other claims could be brought forth such as potential lost revenues from seatings being filled, loss of a possible playoff berth and such.

He was afterall, a marquee player for them.

Shame if he skates on any parts

[Dis]

Doesn't bother me so much that they killed the dogs, but the way that they did it. drowning etc. Poor dog probably didn't know what was going on. Would have been more human to shoot him.

[Dis]

It's a blessing in disguise for the Falcons. He was never going to win a superbowl for them, but he had too much talent to just throw away. More importantly the fans wanted him. Now they got rid of them and can focus on a more consistant and stable qb.

[-Jrabbit]

Originally posted by Grandpa Troll

Jrabbit, I wonder if in such a case as this, other claims could be brought forth such as potential lost revenues from seatings being filled, loss of a possible playoff berth and such.

He was afterall, a marquee player for them.

The Falcons have a legitimate claim on $22MM in bonus money paid to Vick. This is recourse available to the team through the collective bargaining agreement. It's league business.

Any other claims would have to be brought in a civil lawsuit. I strongly doubt either the Falcons or Vick want even more public attention.

[SlowwHand]

I hope Vick invested his pay wisely. I'm not holding my breath.

[-Jrabbit]

Um, he invested in Bad Newz Kennels.

Somehow I doubt he was significantly smarter with the rest of his money.

[Lord Avalon]

Originally posted by DanS
When is he to be sentenced?

Vick to be sentenced Dec. 10 after guilty plea

RICHMOND, Va. -- Michael Vick pleaded guilty Monday to a federal dogfighting charge and awaits a Dec. 10 sentencing date that could send the NFL star to prison.

In a statement before the media, Vick said he took full responsibility for his actions. He concluded by saying: "I will redeem myself. I have to."

"First, I want to apologize for all the things that I have done and I have allowed to happen. I want to personally apologize to Commissioner Goodell, Arthur Blank, coach Bobby Petrino, and my Atlanta Falcons teammates, for I was not honest and forthright in our discussions," Vick said.

"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. What I did was very immature, so that means I need to grow up."

Vick said he now has renounced dogfighting and has found religion as a result of the federal charges. "Dogfighting is a terrible thing. I reject it," he said.

"I totally ask for forgiveness and understanding as I move forward to better Michael Vick the person, not the football player," Vick said.

"I take full responsibility for my actions … I am totally responsible."

The plea by the suspended Atlanta Falcons quarterback was accepted by U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson, who asked: "Are you entering the plea of guilty to a conspiracy charge because you are in fact guilty?"

Vick replied, "Yes, sir."

Hudson emphasized he is not bound by sentencing guidelines and can impose the maximum sentence of up to five years in prison.

"You're taking your chances here. You'll have to live with whatever decision I make," Hudson said.

In his written plea filed in federal court Friday, Vick admitted helping kill six to eight pit bulls and supplying money for gambling on the fights. He said he did not personally place any bets or share in any winnings.

The NFL suspended him indefinitely and without pay Friday after his plea agreement was filed. Merely associating with gamblers can trigger a lifetime ban under the league's personal conduct policy.

ESPN's Chris Mortensen reports that Vick stands to lose approximately $100 million because of his conviction.

Federal prosecutors recommended 12-18 months in prison.

"A first-time offender might well receive no jail time for this offense," U.S. Attorney Chuck Rosenberg said in a statement. "We thought, however, that the conduct in this conspiracy was heinous, cruel and inhumane" so three of the four defendants, including Vick, should receive harsher sentences.

The first defendant to plead guilty left the conspiracy in 2004 and is not as culpable, he said.

The case began in late April when authorities conducting a drug investigation of Vick's cousin raided the former Virginia Tech star's rural Surry County property and seized dozens of dogs, some injured, and equipment commonly used in dogfighting.

Vick's plea came hours before the Falcons are scheduled to play an exhibition game at home against the Cincinnati Bengals. This will be the first chance for the team to see what effect Vick's case has on attendance at the Georgia Dome. Vick wears the biggest-selling jersey in team history and is given much credit for the team's 51 consecutive sellouts.

After initially denying his involvement, Vick has said little publicly about the case. Privately, he met with Goodell and Falcons owner Arthur Blank when the investigation was just beginning, and almost certainly lied to both.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2992890

[SlowwHand]

Ok, that makes me feel better about the possibility of success at becoming a better Michael Vick.
The first positive thing I've read from him.

[snoopy369]

That he is able to read off a script?

[asleepathewheel]

He looked pretty beaten down when he was walking out, and fumbling around, I thought that was pretty honest.

Then he started rattling off his list of apologies, and I thought his smug arrogance creapt out around the corners of his mouth.

He still thinks he isn't going to do any time in prison, and who knows, maybe he can rat out enough people that he wont.

[-Jrabbit]

A little-publicized part of Vick's plea agreeement is that he will now cooperate with the ongoing government inverstigation, including grand jury testimony. You can bet the gov't is going to ask him to name names of others involved -- especially NFL players -- between now and 12/10. Now, with the opportunity to gauge his cooperation pre-sentencing, the feds have got him, um, on a very short leash.

This could get very interesting.