RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Michael Vick was sentenced to 23 months in prison Monday for his role in a dogfighting conspiracy that involved gambling and killing pit bulls.
The suspended Atlanta Falcons quarterback could have been sentenced up to five years by District Judge Henry E. Hudson. Vick was dressed in a black-and-white striped prison suit and apologized to the court and his family.
Hudson responded, "You need to apologize to the millions of young people who looked up to you."
"Yes, sir," Vick said.
Vick acknowledged he used "poor judgment" and added, "I'm willing to deal with the consequences and accept responsibility for my actions."
Before the hearing started, Michael Vick's brother, Marcus Vick, sat with his right arm around their mother, comforting her as she buried her head in her hands and wept.
Vick pleaded guilty in August, admitting he bankrolled the "Bad Newz Kennels" dogfighting operation and helped kill six to eight dogs.
In a plea agreement, he admitted bankrolling the dogfighting ring on his 15-acre property in rural southeastern Virginia and helping kill pit bulls that did not perform well in test fights. He also admitted providing money for bets on the fights but said he never shared in any winnings.
Falcons owner Arthur Blank called the sentencing "another step in his legal journey.
"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," Blank added.
"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."
Monday, December 10, 2007
Its Finally Over: Michael Vick gets Sentenced
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Vick tests positive for pot
From Fox Sports
A federal judge placed tighter restrictions on Michael Vick on Wednesday after he tested positive for marijuana.
Because of the result, U.S. District Judge Henry Hudson placed special conditions on Vick's release, including restricting him to his home between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. and ordering him to submit to random drug testing.
The urine sample was submitted Sept. 13, according to a document by a federal probation officer that was filed in U.S. District Court on Wednesday.
Vick, who admitted bankrolling a dogfighting operation on property he owns in Surry County in his written federal plea, is scheduled for sentencing Dec. 10.
Maybe you weren't a victim in the airport after all.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
200 rally to support Vick
"We Support Vick a Human Being Over Dogs," was the message of one placard to honking passing cars on Northside Drive.
"Look at what he has done for this city - he's made this city a ton of money every Sunday," said Hiram Melvin, 50 of Decatur. "This dogfighting has been going on for years. It's not something that just started. It's not a big deal."
SCLC President Charles Steele Jr. said his organization prefers to focus on Vick's redemption and plans to honor him for his community contributions at its convention next month in Atlanta. "We need to support him no matter what the evidence reveals," Steele said.
On the West Coast, former Falcons coach Jim Mora said he has given Vick moral support in a text message Wednesday. " I just wanted to let him know that I was thinking about him,"Yes, Jim, I'm sure you were.
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Vick can't come to camp
From Fox Sports:
NEW YORK (AP) - Michael Vick was ordered by
commissioner Roger Goodell on Monday to stay away from the Atlanta Falcons'
training camp until the league reviews the dogfighting charges against
him.
"While it is for the criminal justice system to determine your guilt or
innocence, it is my responsibility as commissioner of the National Football
League to determine whether your conduct, even if not criminal, nonetheless
violated league policies, including the Personal Conduct Policy," Goodell said
in a letter to the quarterback.
FOXSports.com senior football writer Jay Glazer first reported the decision
earlier Monday.
The NFL said Vick would still get his preseason pay and
Goodell told the Falcons to withhold any
disciplinary action of their own until the league's review was completed.
Goodell told Vick the league would complete its review as quickly as
possible and that he expected full cooperation. The review is expected to
involve conversations with federal law enforcement officials so the NFL can
determine the strength of the case against Vick.
The Falcons open camp on
Thursday, the same day Vick is scheduled to be arraigned in Richmond, Va., on
charges of sponsoring a dogfighting operation.
PETA - People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals - demonstrated at Falcons'
headquarters in Flowery Branch, Ga., on Monday and did the same outside NFL
offices in New York last week. At the same time, Goodell was meeting with
officials from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
The league and the ASPCA are working on a program to educate players about the
proper treatment of animals.
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Nike suspends release of Vick shoe
ATLANTA (AP) - Michael Vick's legal troubles prompted Nike on Thursday to suspend the release of its latest product line named after the Atlanta Falcons quarterback.
Nike has told retailers it will not release a fifth signature shoe, the Air Zoom Vick V, this summer. Nike spokesman Dean Stoyer said the four shoe products and three shirts that currently bear Vick's name will remain in stores.
Vick will be arraigned next week in a Richmond, Va., federal courtroom on charges of sponsoring a gruesome dogfighting operation.
Meanwhile, Falcons owner Arthur Blank issued a statement Thursday, saying the organization is "working diligently on exploring our options."
"This is an emotionally charged and complicated matter," Blank said. "There are a wide range of interests and legal issues that need to be carefully considered as we move ahead, including our need to respect the due process that Michael is entitled to. Also, this situation affects everyone — our club, our players and associates, our sponsors, our fans and the Atlanta community among them — so we must consider all of our customers in making any decisions.
"Given the differing perspectives and strong feelings around this issue, we probably won't make everyone happy, but we are committed to doing the right thing. As the owner of this club that's, ultimately, my responsibility."
Blank added that he was "saddened and distressed about this — not for myself, for our fans and community who have been so loyal to us."
ESPN reported that Vick had called Blank on Wednesday. The network said its sources believed Vick to have been contrite, and he apologized for the distractions the case has created, and thanked Blank for his support.
Stoyer said Nike still has a standing contract with Vick, but declined to speculate on his future with the company.
A statement released by Nike Inc. said the company "is concerned by the serious and highly disturbing allegations made against Michael Vick, and we consider any cruelty to animals inhumane and abhorrent. We do believe that Michael Vick should be afforded the same due process as any citizen; therefore, we have not terminated our relationship."
Stoyer, who declined to discuss terms of Vick's contract, indicated the company has no commercials or documentaries planned with the three-time NFL Pro Bowl selection.
In previous years, Nike has run footage and interviews with Vick on its Web site, but none of the video promotions are currently posted.
"Some of that was shown on a limited run based on rights and usage," Stoyer said. "There's nothing new planned."
The Humane Society of the United States issued a statement calling upon Nike to pull its Vick clothing and shoes from retailers and from its Web site. It also called upon NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to suspend Vick.
Vick signed his current contract with Nike in 2001, the same year Atlanta chose him as the NFL's No. 1 overall draft pick. After leading the Falcons to the 2002 and '04 playoffs, Vick last year became the first quarterback in league history to rush for 1,000 yards in a season.
You can find a good rundown of the story as well as a good pick of the shoe that not coming out at NCAA Basketball Scores.
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
VICK INDICTED!
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Michael Vick investigated by Feds
Read between the lines here boys and girls, Michael Vick is F#cked.
"Using powerful laws that were enacted only a month ago (a bill known as HR 137), agents of the U.S. Department of Agriculture are determining whether Vick and others should be prosecuted for promoting and sponsoring dogfights. The new federal law makes it a felony to organize a dogfight. A subdivision of the Agriculture Department is pursuing similar cases elsewhere with considerable support from humane societies and local police departments. The Vick investigation is one of many across the U.S." -- ESPN
Ron Mexico is no longer cutting deals with a backwoods sherriff and prosecutor, he's done pissed on the United States Department of Agriculture who are going to treat him like their very own Osama bin Ladin. He's going to become their holy grail in the quest against the evils of dogfighting, which just happens to be the one thing that the current administration, the Humane Society and Pita agree on. That's right, Pamela Anderson is going to hate Michael Vick.
