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Michael Vick Pleads Guilty, Will Not Be Cut From Falcons
Monday, August 27, 2007
RICHMOND, Va. - Following an appearance in federal court Monday during
which he pleaded guilty to a federal dogfighting conspiracy charge,
suspended Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick said he took
responsibility for his actions and apologized to his teammates, fans and
bosses within the Falcon's organization and NFL.
"I apologize for all the things I've done and allowed to happen," Vick said
during a press conference about an hour after he entered his guilty plea.
Admitting to being uncomfortable with public speaking, Vick said he was
"speaking from the heart."
In a separate press conference in Atlanta later Monday, the Falcons said
they would not cut Vick immediately because of salary-cap issues. The team
intends to pursue the $22 million in bonus money that he already received in
a $130 million contract signed in 2004.
"We cannot tell you today that Michael is cut from the team," owner Arthur
Blank said.
Capping one of the most rapid and startling falls from stardom in U.S.
sports history, Vick made official the agreement his attorneys worked out
with prosecutors.
Repeatedly saying that he would "not point the finger" or blame others for
his predicament, Vick said he had "not been honest or forthright" in
discussing his involvement in dogfighting with his teammates, Falcon's owner
Arthur Blank, and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell because he had been
"ashamed" and "disappointed in myself."
Vick also repeatedly apologized to his young football fans, saying his
behavior was "immature."
"I apologize to the young kids for my immature acts," Vick said. "What I did
was immature and I need to grow up," he said.
"I'm more disappointed in myself more than anything for all the young kids
out there who looked at Michael Vick as a role model," he said. He said he
wanted to become a "better Michael Vick," and would have "a lot of downtime
to think about what I've done."
Asking for "forgiveness and understanding," Vick said he would "turn my life
over to God. That's the right thing to do right now."
"Dogfighting is a terrible thing and I reject it," he said.
Vick appeared Monday before U.S. District Judge Henry Hudson, who asked Vick
whether he knew what evidence the government had against him and whether he
had gone over the facts of the case with his legal team.
"You're taking your chances here. You'll have to live with whatever decision
I make," Hudson said.
The plea agreement calls for a sentencing range of 12 to 18 months. But
Hudson, who is known for handing down tough sentences, reminded Vick during
the hearing that he is not bound by any recommendation or federal sentencing
guidelines and could sentence Vick to as much as five years in prison when
he is sentenced Dec. 10.
"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."
Part of Vick's punishment will include paying for the care of dogs rescued
from the dogfighting ring.
Vick entered a written plea filed in federal court in Richmond, Va., on
Friday. He admitted helping kill six to eight pit bulls and supplying money
for gambling on the fights. He says he did not personally place any bets or
share in any winnings.
Vick is one of four defendants in the case. The first defendant to plead
guilty left the conspiracy in 2004 and is not as culpable, Rosenberg 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.
A federal indictment issued in July charged Vick, Purnell Peace of Virginia
Beach, Quanis Phillips of Atlanta and Tony Taylor of Hampton with an
interstate dogfighting conspiracy. Vick initially denied any involvement,
and all four men pleaded innocent. Taylor was the first to change his plea
to guilty; Phillips and Peace soon followed.
The details outlined in the indictment and other court papers fueled a
public backlash against Vick and cost him several lucrative endorsement
deals, even before he agreed to plead guilty.
The NFL suspended Vick 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.
Dogfighting is illegal in all 50 states and a felony in 48 states. About 600
cases have been prosecuted over the past five years.
Michael Vick Pleads Guilty, Will Not Be Cut From Falcons
Monday, August 27, 2007
RICHMOND, Va. - Following an appearance in federal court Monday during
which he pleaded guilty to a federal dogfighting conspiracy charge,
suspended Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick said he took
responsibility for his actions and apologized to his teammates, fans and
bosses within the Falcon's organization and NFL.
"I apologize for all the things I've done and allowed to happen," Vick said
during a press conference about an hour after he entered his guilty plea.
Admitting to being uncomfortable with public speaking, Vick said he was
"speaking from the heart."
In a separate press conference in Atlanta later Monday, the Falcons said
they would not cut Vick immediately because of salary-cap issues. The team
intends to pursue the $22 million in bonus money that he already received in
a $130 million contract signed in 2004.
"We cannot tell you today that Michael is cut from the team," owner Arthur
Blank said.
Capping one of the most rapid and startling falls from stardom in U.S.
sports history, Vick made official the agreement his attorneys worked out
with prosecutors.
Repeatedly saying that he would "not point the finger" or blame others for
his predicament, Vick said he had "not been honest or forthright" in
discussing his involvement in dogfighting with his teammates, Falcon's owner
Arthur Blank, and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell because he had been
"ashamed" and "disappointed in myself."
Vick also repeatedly apologized to his young football fans, saying his
behavior was "immature."
"I apologize to the young kids for my immature acts," Vick said. "What I did
was immature and I need to grow up," he said.
"I'm more disappointed in myself more than anything for all the young kids
out there who looked at Michael Vick as a role model," he said. He said he
wanted to become a "better Michael Vick," and would have "a lot of downtime
to think about what I've done."
Asking for "forgiveness and understanding," Vick said he would "turn my life
over to God. That's the right thing to do right now."
"Dogfighting is a terrible thing and I reject it," he said.
Vick appeared Monday before U.S. District Judge Henry Hudson, who asked Vick
whether he knew what evidence the government had against him and whether he
had gone over the facts of the case with his legal team.
"You're taking your chances here. You'll have to live with whatever decision
I make," Hudson said.
The plea agreement calls for a sentencing range of 12 to 18 months. But
Hudson, who is known for handing down tough sentences, reminded Vick during
the hearing that he is not bound by any recommendation or federal sentencing
guidelines and could sentence Vick to as much as five years in prison when
he is sentenced Dec. 10.
"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."
Part of Vick's punishment will include paying for the care of dogs rescued
from the dogfighting ring.
Vick entered a written plea filed in federal court in Richmond, Va., on
Friday. He admitted helping kill six to eight pit bulls and supplying money
for gambling on the fights. He says he did not personally place any bets or
share in any winnings.
Vick is one of four defendants in the case. The first defendant to plead
guilty left the conspiracy in 2004 and is not as culpable, Rosenberg 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.
A federal indictment issued in July charged Vick, Purnell Peace of Virginia
Beach, Quanis Phillips of Atlanta and Tony Taylor of Hampton with an
interstate dogfighting conspiracy. Vick initially denied any involvement,
and all four men pleaded innocent. Taylor was the first to change his plea
to guilty; Phillips and Peace soon followed.
The details outlined in the indictment and other court papers fueled a
public backlash against Vick and cost him several lucrative endorsement
deals, even before he agreed to plead guilty.
The NFL suspended Vick 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.
Dogfighting is illegal in all 50 states and a felony in 48 states. About 600
cases have been prosecuted over the past five years.