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HAMPTON
Michael Vick told basketball campers at Hampton University to use his own story as an example as they work to follow their dreams.
The free agent NFL quarterback, who last month finished a 23-month federal prison sentence for dogfighting, told a crowd of about 250 on Tuesday to "use me as an example for your dreams." Vick also told them that after accomplishing his goals he "allowed someone who didn't have my best interests at heart to take all that away from me," according to a release from the school.
"Respect helps you to make wise decisions," Vick said.
Vick lives in Hampton and was a surprise guest at the camp run by Pirates interim men's basketball coach Ed Joyner Jr, according to the university.
Vick, 29, left school after three years and was the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons. Once the league's highest-paid player, his career came tumbling down when he was convicted in August 2007 of conspiracy and running a dogfighting operation.
After being suspended indefinitely, Vick was conditionally reinstated by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell last month and cleared to sign with a team, but thus far there have been no takers.
Earlier Tuesday, Vick's agent, Joel Segal, visited Washington Redskins camp and said he was there to meet with other clients, including Jason Campbell, DeAngelo Hall and LaRon Landry.
"No. No chance," Segal said when asked about the possibility of Vick signing with Washington.
The Redskins are among 26 of the NFL's 32 teams that have said they have no interest in signing Vick, although Vick's NFL-appointed mentor, former Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy, said several coaches have contacted him to talk about the player.
Segal, in an interview with ESPN 980, said he is "very optimistic" that Vick would sign with an NFL team soon. There are a lot of teams interested. ... It's not a matter of if, but when."
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The audience
"It was somebody else's fault". Perfectly said to a perfect audience.
VASTEVE
Please elaborate on your comment! Put it out there what you are trying to say!
Casting stones
Mr. "MARKS57720", You must be a perfect person! You must not have ever done anything you are sorry about! Or, were you just sorry because you got caught doing something you weren't supposed to be doing. Don't pass judgements or cast stones at others unless you are perfect. To me, their is no one on this earth that is perfect. Not even YOU!!
Concerned
Ok I've been one of the most vocal supporters on this forum for Mike Vick getting back to the league but the statement he "allowed someone who didn't have my best interests at heart to take all that away from me" makes me wonder wow does this guy really get it. It's almost like when he used to talk about his self in 2nd person. Vick will have to undergo some serious counseling to handle coming back to the league. I pray that he gets the help he needs! Vick please take responsibility for you actions, life is not a free ride!
Yea, yea, yea,
Oh we've heard all of this crap before...same old story, "I should never have done it, and don't be like me," etc., all part of an elaborate PR campaign...the only thing that Vick is sorry about is that he got CAUGHT! And that's the plain simple truth!
Who Cares if YOU people are ok with what he said?
These comments are hilarious. I suppose if the exact words you personally approve of aren't used, tears dont flow and a cry of "my name is Toby" is not hollered, then its not a sincere speech to the kids?? Whatever, kick rocks. Mike Vick spoke what he wanted to speak, if you dont like it, who cares? He wasn't speaking to you anyway.
Unfortunately, he'll be signed.
It's only a matter of time, as the training camp rosters are depleted by cuts and injuries, that some team is going to bring him in. The NFL can try to promote itself all it wants with high-minded stuff like the United Way and the fight against autism, but the bottom line is ... most teams would sign the devil himself if he could play football ... all that "character stuff" be damned.
Michael Vick
There are a lot of hypocrites on this site that say you don't do this and this is unforgivable blah, blah the point is he did it, did his time and is ready to make amends and turn things around, you self-righteous people that cant forgive a human because he killed dogs but can laugh and idolize abusers, drug addicts, drunks, rapist and don't have a problem watching them play just need to shut up.
he hasn't changed
"allowed someone who didn't have my best interests at heart to take all that away from me," I think this shows the truth. He still doesn't get it. Instead of saying something like "hurting and destroying harmless animals was one of the worst things I have ever done in my life, and I will never be able to heal all the hurt and pain I've caused"...he's still somehow the victum. He focuses on all that that was taken from him. Get a clue Mike.
There is a reason
There is a reason no team wants to sign Vick. It has nothing to do with his ability or talent, we all agree he has both. However, in this country there are two things you do NOT abuse, children and animals (in that order). He will never recover and win the support of the general public. He would be a public relations nightmare for any team. The NFL is not just a sport, it is a big business that needs fan dollars to survive. As a Skins fan, if they had signed him, that would be it for me and I would find another team. I would not be alone. The NFL knows this well and are proving it one team at a time. His only hope is outside of the US.