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| Michael Vick speaks at a Richmond news conference Monday after pleading guilty to a federal dogfighting conspiracy charge.
(Steve Earley | The Virginian-Pilot) |
By Dave Forster
The Virginian-Pilot
RICHMOND
Michael Vick began his quest for redemption Monday, using the words “ashamed,” “immature” and “forgiveness.”
The Newport News native and Atlanta Falcons quarterback formally pleaded guilty to a dogfighting and gambling conspiracy charge. He likely will serve prison time.
After his court appearance, Vick stood behind a podium at a Richmond hotel, took a deep breath, and began talking so quietly that his words barely rose above the flurry of clicking cameras around him.
“First, I want to apologize for all the things that I’ve done and I’ve allowed to happen,” he said. “I was ashamed and totally disappointed in myself, to say the least.”
Prosecutors say Vick helped three other men create and run a dogfighting venture from 2001 to April on property that he bought in rural Surry County. Vick provided most of the money to run the operation, attended several dogfights and gave his partners thousands of dollars to bet on matches, he admitted in a signed court statement.
Vick consented to and aided in the execution of at least six to eight dogs that performed poorly in test fights, according to his admission.
On Friday, the NFL suspended Vick indefinitely without pay and reserved any further action until his criminal case is resolved. In Atlanta, the Falcons said Monday that they would not cut Vick immediately because of salary-cap issues.
The team intends to pursue the $22 million in bonus money he got when he signed a record $130 million contract in 2004.
“We cannot tell you today that Michael is cut from the team,” owner Arthur Blank said.
In his statement Monday, Vick singled out NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, Blank, Falcons coach Bobby Petrino and his teammates for personal apologies, saying, “I was not honest and forthright in our discussions.”
Before Vick’s hearing, protesters waited behind a police barricade outside the courthouse for his arrival, but a well-organized group of supporters drowned them out.
The Rev. Steven Terry of Deliverance Tabernacle Church in Chesapeake said about 60 people came on three buses from the Hampton Roads area to support Vick. Many in the group wore white T-shirts that said “God Forgives” and “Michael has accepted Christ. Have you?”
Terry said Vick has attended church services at Deliverance Tabernacle for the past two months and has repented. He noted Vick’s charitable donations, including $10,000 his foundation gave to help trauma recovery efforts after the shootings at Virginia Tech.
“He is our brother – we have forgiven him,” Terry said. “God has forgiven him.”
After the plea hearing, Vick set off a roar of boos from protesters when he appeared outside the courthouse and walked to a silver Range Rover . A loud chant quickly overtook the yells: “We love Mike! We love Mike! We love Mike!”
One woman tried to cut through the pro-Vick message with screams of “No mercy!”
Terry called the atmosphere surrounding the case and the attention it has drawn “absolutely unreal.”
“You’d think this is a presidential assassination,” he said.
A small group of friends and relatives, including Vick’s mother, his girlfriend and his brother, Marcus, stood near the back of the hotel ballroom Monday afternoon as Vick spoke.
He only once directly mentioned the criminal activity behind the conspiracy charge to which he pleaded guilty.
“Dogfighting is a terrible thing and I did reject it,” he said, and then added that he had turned his life over to God and asked Jesus for forgiveness.
“I want to apologize to all the young kids out there for my immature acts,” 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 he did not blame anyone else for what he did.
He accepted responsibility, adding that he would now “have to pay the consequences.”
U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson set Vick’s sentencing hearing for 10 a.m. Dec. 10. Prosecutors are expected to recommend a prison sentence of between one year and 18 months, but Hudson made it clear to Vick that he was not bound by that recommendation.
The conspiracy charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine and three years of supervised release. “All right, you’re taking your chances here,” Hudson told Vick at the plea hearing. “And you’ll have to live with the decision I make.”
All three of Vick’s co-defendants accepted plea agreements this month and agreed to work with the government. They are to be sentenced in November and December.
On Monday, as Vick stood in the hotel ballroom, he said he’d had “a lot of things to think about” and “a lot of down time” to think about them.
He said he hoped every youngster following his court case would learn from his mistake, so they would “use better judgment and make better decisions.”
Then he finished, and Vick walked away from the podium .
Staff writers Warren Fiske and Steven Vegh and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Dave Forster, (757) 222-5563,
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I find it interesting how many people are insisting on saying their vile, vindictive words concerning Mr. Vick aren't clouded by perceptions of a race. Be Honest with yourselves people! If it had been Peyton Manning or Bret Favre, a good many of you would be singing a different tune, as to their needed punishment.
A Career Ruined But Life Goes On
The actions that have brought Michael Vick down certainly merit the legal repurcussions and even the career downfall that have resulted. Regardless of who the individual is, anyone who engages in such a vile and cruel "sport" deserves whatever the law and society deem just.
The fact that this individual has been such an outstanding figure in the sports arena does merit serious penalties (including the end of that career) simply because of the role model responsibilities of such persons. If these personalities cannot bear all of the responsibilities of such a role while they are the focus of so much admiration of young Americans, then they should not enter the sports world (and I might add that the same goes for those in politics).
Vick is small change
To heck with Michael Vick. Let's talk about another admitted criminal, republican senator Larry "I am Not Gay" Craig. An excellent example of today's conservatism, Craig pled guilty to lewd conduct in a Minneapolis airport bathroom stall and tried to hide it. Opps, the truth, as it always does, came out and now Larry says his homosexual advances toward a police officer were prompted by stress created by the media. Is he a modern day conservative or what? Preach family values in the morning, hang around airport bathrooms in the afternoon, blame someone else for your indescretions. What's next, the "Clinton Defense"? He is white by the way. Opps, did I just play the race card?
maybe..............
Maybe there are people out there playing the race card as Kenneth Darden stated, but I totally disagree with his comment about attacking and entire race. I can only speak for myself, and race has nothing to do with. I wouldn't care if Vick is purple, but with the fact that he is an African American, then there are those who automatically scream race. I also don't care that Vick is a high profile person, although with his lifestyle you would think he would take some pride about himself and never committed this crime to begin with. Vick could be white and if this crime was in the paper which I feel they will be, then I will be just as ticked off. Don't hand me the race card because it doesn't belong to me. It's your race card!
Crossing the line!
I challenge any of you to visit the Atlanta Falcons football message board and read some of the comments there! What Michael Vick did is wrong and he will pay for his crimes but I am wondering if this nation has progressed at all over the past century! People are using this incident to attack an entire race of people! Just remember that your words usually reflect the view in your heart and people are smart enough to read in between the lines. This case has evolved into something more than about cruelty to animals because it is all about making an example of a high profiled person. It does no good to enforce the maximum penalty on Vick and target those who are termed "thugs"! If you are going to enforce the law fairly then target cat owners!
Anyone actually read the Bible ?
"He who has done no wrong, cast the first stone" ? .Ok if your gonna quote the Bible at least read it first. How about "He who is without sin ,get off the internet" . Yes,your so devoted to Jesus that you lather yourself with the luxuries of internet and cable t.v. The Lord would be proud. Vick is only saying these things with hopes that the judge may be easy on him. For those who say " he is suffering cuz he lost his endorsement deals" ,I laugh so hard at that. . How is he ever gonna survive off the other millions he has left ? Maybe you should start a "Save Vicks Lamborghini " fund so that he doesnt have to get a 9 to 5 job like his broke supporters.If he has really found Jesus ,he should donate all his money and go to Darfur to help out
"mistake"
Deborah H writes, "Let's face it, he made a huge mistake".
A mistake Debroah, is putting on one red sock and one green sock in the morning, not making a concious desision to enter into an illegal, and imoral act of animal crulity.
It's also always amusing when these dirtbags all of a sudden "find Jesus".
I don't think so....
Well after all the time he spent claiming he knew Nothing and did no wrong, I can't beleive he was very sincere in his apology. I think his mother may have wrote it for him and we will just have to wait and see what he does but do not bet on him to really give a care about the dogs he killed or anything eles that he did because it won't happen. At least in my opinion, maybe he will prove me wrong but ????
You did the crime, now you do the time
Let's see, you lied to everybody that you did not have any part in the dog-fighting case. Now you stand before us and try to make us believe you that what you did was wrong. You are truely sorry. It was a mistake. Your only mistake was that you got caught. If you make a mistake, you do not continue the same mistake for 7 or 8 years. When everything else fails, you find God. How come you did not look for God before you murdered numerous dogs? Your press conference was nothing but a rehearsed speech. You are only trying to save your money and lessen your jail sentence. The next time I hear Mike Vick, I hope he is asking me paper or plastic for my groceries. Get an education and move on because the NFL will prosper better without you.
Vows To Redeem Himself
Then do it. Don't talk about it, just do it. Show us the redemption and then we can take another look at Vick and his future as a human being. I think that's what the NFL will be looking at also. It is now entirely up to Vick. He has the ball now lets see how far he can run with it this time. The world will be watching Mr. Vick.
My official response
To those who said he should donate the land: he already sold it. To those who feel he is being hit harder because he is a rich and famous athlete: uh, yeah. He lives on a higher standard than you and I. With a fraction of his earnings and privelege you could live a life better than you could imagine. It takes more to punish those who have than those who have not to administer the same message. This person has no excuses. Not poor or in need, yet chose to torture and kill animals at his own direction and financing. Who are you to say the other players and celebrities were not vilified? You are seeing more of this because of your proximity to this person. Perhaps you should teach these ill advised lessons at home. They never helped faith.
Re: Article
He killed dogs with his bare hands! What a sick, sick, sick person! It's people like him who give NFL players a bad name!
Mike Vick
The only reason hes found Jesus is because he knows the public isnt going to cut him any slack.
The only reason hes sorry is because hes being booted from the NFL, not for causing the deaths of the animals.
He wouldnt be sorry for any other reason.
I Love Dogs Too...But What About Babies...the Endangered Spec
I am baffled by the fact that there is so much coverage over the murdering of dogs. I love dogs. Dogs serve many purposes, i.e., man's best friend, companionship, sight for the blind, home security patrol, etc. But there is absolutely no comparison when we look at the purpose of babies, i.e., being made in the image of God they have the potential to reflect God here on earth, they grow up to become taxpayers, viable citizens of the Commonwealth, presidents, lawyers, doctors, laborers, and most importantly, they continue our posterity to ensure that we continue as a race, human race, that is, which is the only race. Why then is there not the same outcry for the millions of babies mudered by abortion at about 30 babies per minute!
We are soooo judgmental.....
I wonder why we are so judgmental. He who has done no wrong, cast the first stone. Let's face it, he made a huge mistake, we all have but we aren't in the public eye where everyone knows our mistakes. Most find Jesus when our choices take us down the wrong path, how ever he found Jesus, he found Him. Now, others athletes have committed crimes, against women (Kobe Bryant), where was the outrage then? Harming animals is horrible, but athletes have beat their wives/women, no one was outraged, no one was banned from their league or thrown in jail. Come on, people, let's get real. Is a animal more protected than a human being? Give me a break. I support Mike Vick. He's learned a valuable lesson, it's cost him his career & endorsements. $$$$
He Will Redeem Himself
Michael Vick may have been involved in dogfighting. But I respect him for not passing the buck and blaming his action on someone else. We are harder on athletes than we are on politicians. You have people who run this country who have shot people, wire tapped phones, raped people, involved in prostitution etc. However none of them served any time, and would not admit or confess to their wrong. Athletes who commit crimes against humans get less time then they are trying to give Michael Vick.
I stand behind him because when others in leadership position in this country gamble on the lives of our soldiers all for the purpose of oil. I really wonder who really should be going to jail. We hold athletes more accountable than others.
Contrived perhaps, but let's give him some time
It is hard to know if he is in fact sincere, only time and his actions will tell that. We all make some less than perfect choices in this world, and who among us would not jump at the chance to redeem ourselves? In view of his past giving to charities, I would think that he has at least earned a chance at that. Rather than close the door on him completely, let's see if he can turn this around.
Re: Article
He killed dogs with his bare hands! What a sick, sick, sick person! It's people like him who give NFL players a bad name!
What a crock
I sincrely doubt Michael Vick has really "found Jesus" and seen the light of day on what he was doing. It's sad that celebrity types think they can buy their way back with that statement...absolutely pathetic. I think he is just sorry he got caught, and nothing else. Now, if he demonstrates for a sustained period of time of a few years or more, after he gets out of jail, that he is in fact different, then maybe I'll buy his appology. Until then, it's a joke. People rarely change this drastically overnight from a cruel, heartless,dog-killing thug to a warm, sincere, God-loving person...it just doesn't happen like the flip of a light switch. There is something deeply wrong with him if he expects people to buy this scripted statement.
Let him pay the price
Vick should get an academy award for his acting. For anyone who thinks this low life is sincere, I have some submerged property for sale. If it were any of us, we would be in orange jumpsuits and handcuffs, and no one would care if we ever got our jobs back. If it weren't for the fact that the Falcons stand to lose so much money, if it weren't for the fact that he is a pro athlete, no one would be talking forgiveness, and no one would be out there protesting in favor of an average guy. He should lose his money and his job just like anyone else would.
found Jesus....
It's so frustrating when someone gets caught doing something they know to have been wrong all of the sudden they find Jesus. What a farce. And you guys spend so much time, effort and money covering this crap. By the way...How's Martina Notoli doing in her quest for treatment?
I do not care...
How much this guy says he's sorry, "I need to grow up" etc. I guarantee after jail, he will be "tee heeing" with his buds laughing about this, I wonder how Vick treated his women? Michael Vick should also donate his land and that house to a Veterarian office or a shelter, you already have the dog fences, why not.
Fall before you realize
Sometimes it takes something drastic for people to change and open there eyes to what is going on around them. Yeah maybe if he didn't get caught, he would still be dog fighting. But he got caught. And this very well could be his eye opener. Once people lose everything, they wake up. Mike woke up! He knows he has to pay for his consequences and he is standing up like a man to face them. Most of his life has probably been surreal since he made the NFL. Money can do that to people. They feel like they can't be touched. It happens. Let the man be!
Made a mistake?
As a nationally syndicated columnist pointed out this was not a mistake. This dogfighting "enterprise" was planned and premeditated. It has gone on for 6 years - unless someone is mentally incapable or somehow afflicted mistakes do not go on for years. There is no doubt in my mind that if Vick hadn't been caught he would still be involved in dogfighting.
Contrived Contrition
Scripted from beginning to end....the tip off...the "I found Jesus"portion; yes that's right, when your lawyers can't extricate you from your blatent lying, rush to the foot of the cross! Shear expediency. The Hokie is full of hoakum!!