The Virginian-Pilot
©
NORFOLK
Former NFL star Michael Vick has left his hammer-swinging construction job for something a little more familiar.
Vick began work Monday at the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Virginia Peninsula, where he'll work as an aide in summer youth sporting programs, according to Steven S. Kast, the club's chief executive officer.
Vick's role with the club will help meet one of his personal goals: to work in a community service-type program. The paying job also fulfills one of the requirements of his release from prison that he maintain employment.
Vick, the Newport News native and one-time Atlanta Falcons quarterback, is finishing a 23-month prison term for bankrolling a dogfighting operation. He is serving the final weeks on home confinement in Hampton but is allowed to travel to work.
He had been working for a construction company at $10 an hour until he began his new job on Monday. His Boys & Girls Club salary was not disclosed.
Kast confirmed Vick's new job Tuesday but said it would only be temporary. He did not elaborate, but later he released a statement.
"Because we think there is an opportunity for our children to learn lessons from his experiences, we have chosen to support Michael in his efforts to make amends," Kast said in a statement. "To this end, he will be working with children in some of our Clubs on health and fitness activities in the coming weeks."
The Peninsula Boys & Girls clubs serves 5,000 youths in 15 clubs. Vick has been assigned to the Greater Hampton Roads Boys & Girls Club in Newport News, which runs a youth football program. Vick, 29, is an alumnus of that club.
Kast said no visitors or media interviews will be allowed during Vick's employment.
The statement from Kast also said: "We were disappointed by some of his recent actions and decisions, but believe he has learned from these experiences, and is now conscious of his obligations and responsibilities as a prominent sports figure that impacts and influences our kids."
Vick is trying to turn his life around after getting caught running a massive dogfighting ring. His community service work is part of a broad plan to show contrition and remorse for his actions in an effort to persuade the NFL commissioner to reinstate him to the league. Vick has been under indefinite suspension since his arrest.
The former Virginia Tech football star also is trying to climb out of bankruptcy. In U.S. Bankruptcy Court on Tuesday, Vick's attorneys tried to assure a judge that they are close to finalizing a revised financial reorganization plan.
A chief stumbling block - a dispute between Vick and his former agent, Andrew Joel - has been resolved, the attorneys said. Vick has agreed to pay Joel $6 million to settle a contract dispute.
Vick's revised plan calls for staggered repayment of his debts over six years, but it hinges on his return to professional football and a salary worth millions per year. There is still no indication that will happen.
"Basically, the debtor's professionals are betting that Mr. Vick will be back in the NFL," Paul Campsen, one of Vick's attorneys, told U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Frank J. Santoro.
Santoro, who earlier rejected Vick's initial plan, remained skeptical, saying what he heard Tuesday "doesn't present a persuasive argument."
Tim McGlone, (757) 446-2343, tim.mcglone@pilotonline.com
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Give it a rest
Ya' know it's sad that people just won't leave him alone. Yes, what he did was a terrible thing, but don't you think he's had enough? I dont condone anything that he has done, i was one of the people that wanted to see him suffer being that i have 2 pits of my own. BUT. I believe he has paid his fines and did his time. Everyone talks about how him being @ the B&G club is just publicity, well maybe your right, but people like you have made that publicity only get stronger. Don't blame him for having cameras up his butt 24-7, im sure if he had it any other way, he surely would not have the media in his face. But being a celebrity, it comes with the territory. The michael vick stories are really getting old, why dont you people who thrive on other peoples business, take up a new hobby.
Good for you Michael
I am glad he is doing this I don't even care why he doing it. Kids are looking for someone that they can relate to or who can relate to them. Our kids are dying, not only in the streets but emotionally and spiritually. If people would get off their ass and stop pretending that they hate this man because of some damn dogs and really just admit they are bigots and racist who think they have found a legitmate reason to hate but as one blogger stated time to look at the man in the mirror, people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. If this was really about dogs there would not be so many running the street hungry and homeless. One thing I have learned in myb 57 years on this earth you cannot change a bigots heart only God can. Mr. Vick thank you for at least attempting to help our youth, God will bless you for it. Hate never wins it destroys life ie the 24 yr old white kid man that took the life of the coach in Iowa that everyone loved wonder where he learned his hatred from.
THiNk PeoPLE
The kids and families in the neighborhood where the Boys and Girls Club is located have a lot more to deal with than fighting dogs. There are so many stories of heartache, poverty and drugs to have someone come from there make good and fall down, get back up and keep going, is a lesson in life they need to hear. Most of ya'll commenting have nothing but negativity in your blood you should rexamine your self. Like Michael Jackson said "I'm starting with the man in the mirror".
M Vick
How convenient!! He gets two for the price of one! He gets to fulfill his work requirement, AND his community service requirement all at the same time! And he doesn't have to do manual labor, as he would on a construction job. I'm not a "hater", but I DO recall that he pled "NOT GUILTY" to all animal cruelty charges, and perhaps I would be more willing to forgive if he gave some recognition to those he Vick-timized.
As for all the sports fans out there, I have to wonder exactly WHAT it would take for them to find someone so deplorable as a human being that they would finally stop supporting them in any fashion? Atheletes commit lies, cheating, using steroids (another form of cheating, in my view!), drug use, rape, infidelity, domestic abuse, failure to support their own children despite earning millions, etc., and yet they are still avidly supported by sports fans! What would it take? I would certainly not want Mr. Vick anywhere near any child of mine, he is certainly NOT role model material!
I agree with you 100%!
I agree with you 100%!
is this me???
This isn't like me but here goes...I am optimistic that the kids will have been privy to the information of his recent past and understand that he has/is paying for mistakes and bad judgement made. I HOPE they remember him as a FORMER NFL star and know that he's that no more (at least for the moment). I hope they know all information and then learn from his mistakes. Some posters on here say he didn't spend "enough" time in jail....I don't know about them but I wouldn't want to spend ONE DAY in jail. So his months to me are steps in the process to recovery. And think about this, if he does hurry up and make it back to the NFL the only time you'll hear/read his name will be on Sunday and Monday mornings!!
Well said sir agree %100. We
Well said sir agree %100. We fall down but we get back up, a saint is just a sinner who fell down, but we couldn't stay there and got up!
The Question
Will Vick lie AGAIN to the Commish about betting on dogs?
WORK???
Come on, someone said he has paid his price? We normal folks would be payin the price still...for a long time. I agree about the over coverage too. I am tired of reading about him. All these millions of dollars in bankruptcy people he messed over out of their money and he has a $9.00 hour job?? All of his money should be going to the local SPCA or whomever took the dogs when they were removed.
I guess my question is this...where is all the paying the price and restitution at? He spent a little time in jail and now is out enjoying the life of the honorable man. Where is the justice here?
Get over it, it happens all
Get over it, it happens all the time from big-time celebrities to avg. joe. Vick has donated more money to charity than you will ever see in your life sir!