Vick Pleads Guilty, Then Apologizes for Behavior

Aug 28, 06:18 AM

Current Headlines: By Bob Glauber, Newsday, Melville, N.Y.

Aug. 28--Michael Vick walked slowly to the podium and then looked out over the assembled horde of media gathered to hear his first public remarks regarding his involvement in an illegal dogfighting operation.

Just minutes after pleading guilty to felony charges of conspiracy and his involvement in the killing of at least six dogs that had not performed well in testing, the Falcons' star quarterback apologized for his behavior and for initially lying about his involvement, expressed regret for being a poor example to young fans, and asked for forgiveness. And if anyone expected Vick to read a perfunctory statement crafted by his attorney, he didn't once look at the sheet of paper.

"I want to apologize for all the things that I've done and that I've allowed to happen," Vick said at a hotel in Richmond, Va., a short ways from the federal courthouse where he pleaded guilty. "I want to personally apologize to commissioner [Roger] Goodell, [Falcons owner] Arthur Blank, coach Bobby Petrino, my Atlanta Falcons teammates for our previous discussions that we had and I was not honest and forthright. I was ashamed and totally disappointed in myself.

"I want to apologize to all the young kids out there for my immature acts," he said. "What I did was very immature, so that means I need to grow up. I totally ask for forgiveness and understanding as I move forward to bettering Michael Vick the person, not the football player. I take personal responsibility for my actions."

Vick has been suspended indefinitely without pay by Goodell, who announced the sanction on Friday, when Vick entered a written guilty plea. The Falcons will now pursue as much as $22 million of bonus money previously paid to Vick. Although they did not release him outright yesterday, Blank made it clear the reason for keeping him on the roster had more to do with recouping the bonus money and salary-cap issues. Several league and team sources have indicated the Falcons plan to cut ties with Vick, possibly by next June.

Vick faces up to five years in prison. Judge Henry Hudson will sentence Vick on Dec. 10. Although prosecutors have proposed a 12- to 18-month prison term, Hudson is not bound by the recommendation.

"You're taking your chances here," Hudson told Vick yesterday. "You'll have to live with whatever decision I make."

The NFL likely will revisit Vick's situation once the legal process has concluded; in essence, when he gets out of jail. League sources indicate a further suspension is likely at that time, although a lifetime ban is not expected. Vick would have to pass a series of behavioral benchmarks before applying for reinstatement.

Vick said he "made a mistake of using bad judgment and making bad decisions. Those things just can't happen. Dogfighting is a terrible thing, and I do reject it."

In a news conference in Atlanta, Blank expressed disappointment and anger over Vick's behavior, and explained why it was not prudent to release Vick right away, even if that's what he preferred.

"We cannot tell you today that Michael is cut from the team," Blank said. "It may feel better emotionally for us and many of our fans, but it's not in the long-term best interests of the franchise ... We're putting the emotions, the shock, the disappointment, the anger and the once-held hope that this was not true behind us. I assure you we'll do all we possibly can to make this season a success."

The case began in April, when authorities conducting a drug investigation of Vick's cousin raided the quarterback's home in rural Surry County, Va., and seized dozens of dogs, some of them injured, as well as 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, Va., with an interstate dogfighting conspiracy.

Vick initially denied any involvement, but Vick's three co-defendants eventually pleaded guilty. Vick was the last to enter a guilty plea.

He still faces the possibility of facing state charges of animal cruelty, and could face further jail time if found guilty.

EXCERPTS

... from the text of Michael Vick's statement following his guilty plea yesterday:

First, I want to apologize, you know, for all the things that -- that I've done and that I have allowed to happen. I want to personally apologize to commissioner Goodell, Arthur Blank, coach Bobby Petrino, my teammates.

... I was not honest and forthright in our discussions.

... I want to apologize to all the young kids out there for my immature acts.

... What I did was very immature, so that means I need to grow up. I totally ask for forgiveness and understanding as I move forward to bettering Michael Vick the person, not the football player. I take full responsibility for my actions.

... Not for one second will I sit right here and point the finger and try to blame anybody else for my actions or what I've done. I'm totally responsible.

...Dogfighting is a terrible thing, and I did reject it. I'm upset with myself, and, you know, through this situation, I found Jesus and asked him for forgiveness and turned my life over to God. And I think that's the right thing to do as of right now.

...I offer my deepest apologies to everybody out in there in the world who was affected by this whole situation. And if I'm more disappointed with myself than anything, it's because of all the young people, young kids that I've let down, who look at Michael Vick as a role model.

... I will redeem myself. I have to. So I got a lot of down time, a lot of time to think about my actions and what I've done and how to make Michael Vick a better person. Thank you."

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