NFL Suspends Michael Vick Indefinitely

Nike Severs Ties With Star QB After He Says He Will Plead Guilty To Conspiracy In Dogfighting Operation

(CBS/AP)  The NFL indefinitely suspended Michael Vick without pay Friday just hours after he acknowledged in court papers that he did, indeed, bankroll gambling on dogfighting and helped kill some dogs not worthy of the pit.

Vick, however, insisted he placed no bets of his own nor took any winnings.

Sportswear giant Nike severed its ties with the Atlanta Falcons quarterback yesterday, issuing a statement that said "Nike has terminated our contract with Michael Vick following yesterday's release of details of his plea. As we have said in previous statements, we consider any cruelty to animals inhumane, abhorrent and unacceptable."

Nike suspended Vick's contract last month and said items bearing his name would no longer appear in company-owned stores. Nike also has decided not to release a fifth signature shoe, the Air Zoom Vick V, this summer.

Terms of his deal with Nike have not been released.

In disciplining Vick, commissioner Roger Goodell said Vick's admitted conduct was "not only illegal but also cruel and reprehensible" and regardless whether he personally placed bets, "your actions in funding the betting and your association with illegal gambling both violate the terms of your NFL player contract and expose you to corrupting influences in derogation of one of the most fundamental responsibilities of an NFL player."

A "summary of facts" signed by Vick was filed along with his written plea agreement on a federal dogfighting conspiracy charge. He will appear before U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson to formally plead guilty Monday and then await sentencing at a later date.

The court documents and a statement by Vick's legal team seek to portray him as less involved in the dogfighting ring than three co-defendants who previously pleaded guilty and agreed to testify against the Atlanta Falcons quarterback.

"While Mr. Vick is not personally charged with or responsible for committing all of the acts alleged in the indictment, as with any conspiracy charge, he is taking full responsibility for his actions and the actions of the others involved," the defense team said in a written statement after the plea agreement was filed.

"Mr. Vick apologizes for his poor judgment in associating himself with those involved in dog fighting and realizes he should never have been involved in this conduct," the statement said.

Vick signed the plea agreement late Thursday.

"Most of the Bad Newz Kennels operation and gambling monies were provided by Vick," a summary of facts in the case said, echoing language in plea agreements by three co-defendants who previously pleaded guilty.

The statement said that when the kennel's dogs won, the gambling proceeds were generally shared by Vick's three co-defendants — Tony Taylor, Purnell Peace and Quanis Phillips.

"Vick did not gamble by placing side bets on any of the fights. Vick did not receive any of the proceeds of the purses that were won by Bad Newz Kennels," the summary said.

According to the statement, Vick also was involved with the others in killing six to eight dogs that did not perform well in testing sessions last April. The dogs were executed by drowning or hanging.

---

Plea Agreement | Summary Of The Facts

---

"Vick agrees and stipulates that these dogs all died as a result of the collective efforts" of Vick and two of the co-defendants, Phillips and Peace, the statement said.

Dan Dierdorf, NFL Analyst for CBS Sports, said, "I don't know there's a whole lot of difference between being the guy that actually drowned, hung or electrocuted a dog, or knowing that it was being done on your property to your dogs by your friends."

In the plea agreement, the government committed to recommending a sentence on the low end of the federal sentencing guideline range of a year to 18 months. However, the conspiracy charge is punishable by up to five years in prison, and the judge is not bound by any recommendation or by the sentencing guidelines.

Hudson has a reputation for imposing stiff sentences, according to lawyers who have appeared in his court. The judge will set a sentencing date at Monday's hearing.

"Our position has been that we are going to try to help Judge Hudson understand all the facts and Michael's role," Vick's defense attorney, Billy Martin, said in telephone interview. "Michael's role was different than others associated with this incident."

Martin said Vick will "speak to the public and explain his actions." Though he declined to say when and where, the "Tom Joyner Morning Show," a syndicated program based in Dallas, said it will have a live interview with Vick on Tuesday.

It is not uncommon in plea agreements for the defendant to plead guilty to only one charge and to negotiate with prosecutors over the specific facts to which he'll be admitting, CBS News legal analyst Andrew Cohen said. In this case, prosecutors may not care that he's not admitting to gambling so long as he gets a significant prison sentence.

The U.S. Attorney's office, which has declined to comment on the case, said it would issue a statement after the hearing.

[creeper00]

This piece of scum is trying to salvage his NFL career. Maybe after five years behind bars he won''t be quite as valuable to them.

If there is any justice in the world, Michael Vick will never set foot on a gridiron again.

[cryonbrian]

You people talk so crazy! After a person gets out of prison you do not want them to work? Are you going to take care Vick when he gets out? Had Vick killed a human, it would have been no big deal!

[Krazcarl]

I''m behind Vic a white man hate to se his carear go down the tubes for poor choices in friends and a sport that''s not my cup of tea but has been around for a long time.

[jetlizhan]

vick needs to get use to not having mo'' money - he should forever work at humane society businesses cleaning out dog runs - shoveling s.h.i.t. like the piece of one he is. oh and vick, get use to the wonderful minimum wage thing!!!

[lawandorder7]

Right ON, No football for Vick. He no good for the game. As for making a living. He can get a job, no one said he need not work. As for him and every one else, once you do time you don''t get a dime for free from any one. Make it on your on are don''t make it, The US has to many give aways, jail bireds don''t get any.

[nexgen99]

Vick should be given the same sentence he gave to his dogs. They should pick him up and slam his head into the ground until he succumbs just as he did with his dogs.

[bustardo]

This plea deal should not be accepted unless he admits to gambling also. The sole purpose of the dog fight is to gamble. Vick needs to be banned from the NFL for life. He does not deserve the mega-bucks that come with sports fame.

[gmond]

Understand one thing, Vick-lovers - this guy got off on watching sadistic torture and death of animals. Now that''s a real role model.

[blkdog2]

Just b/c Vick won''t ADMIT that he killed dogs doesn''t mean that he didn''t do it. The fact that he ADMITS that he was present & did nothing to prevent the acts, in my eyes, makes him just as guilty as actually doing it. He''s a sick ***. I hope the NFL bans him for life & he moves to France.

[delta5243]

I''m just waiting for Jessie and/or Al to show up.

[arealtexan]

I suggest we coat him in bacon grease and put him in a ring with about four of these pit bulls and let the fun begin.

As to his football career, it''s over, thank goodness. No one is saying he can''t work after he gets out of the pokey, in fact he needs to work. The idea of working at a human society shoveling s.h.i.t. is a good idea, but my suggestion would be he become a dog catcher.

[infidel_us]

If the feds are allowing him to cop a plea to a low scoring felony, their case must have been very weak. Maybe they didn''t have much on him, afterall.

[juwboy]

Apparently, real Texans are unAmerican traitors who believe that, in Michael Vick''s case, numerous provisions of that wonderful document, the US Constitution, should be violated in determining his future.

arealtexan, if you don''t like it here in our great country, why don''t you go back to where your ancestors came from?

[juli28428]

arealtexan --- that''s the best idea I''ve heard yet!

[kailumego1]

From reading this article I can understand where Vick gets his anti-social behavior, his father is a real piece of work.

"He asked Vick for $1 million, spread out over 12 years, Vick declined, the father said. Recently, Boddie asked Vick, through an assistant, for $700,000 to live on."

Obviously he has been an absentee father, would love to read about the rest of the family.

He is still accountable for his actions, but from reading his father''s statement, it appears he''s just after the money, it makes you wonder what morals, if any, were taught to this young man.

His father sounds really pathetic, and he knew what was going on but did absolutely nothing to stop it, so he''s just as guilty.

This is one sick family!

[missut2]

Michael Vick has made more money from endorsements & the NFL than most people earn in a lifetime. The contract he had just signed with the Falcons for $130 million, included a $25-$30 million signing bonus, which he has already received. If he''s convicted, he may have to repay some of that back.
He bankrolled this entire operation & he was the one with the license to breed these dogs. He has been involved with dog fighting since his high school days in Newport News. I understand that he was involved with it while at VaTech.
In addition to the interstate commerce for dogfighting charge, I want him charged with cruelty and abuse. I hope the Feds pull their plea bargain. I understand that the charges against him were mounting every day, so why let him off that easy. He should not be offered any plea bargain for less than the charges, only a reduced sentence. If the Commonwealth of VA decides to bring charges, he could find himself in prison for several years. I hope the justice for all the dogs he mistreated is him never again playing football for money...
Over 50 of his dogs will probably have to be euthanized because they are not adoptable. My heart aches for these dogs...never in their lifetime did anyone ever love them, treat them well, play with them, or show them any kindness...all they ever knew was pain, starvation, isolation and cruelty. Michael Vick is scum...a thug...and his "friends" aren''t to blame...he''s always been a thug. He deserves what he gave...

[mixterooney]

Vick''s a liar. He proved that by trying to deny his involvement in Bad Newz Kennels to Blank. If he wasn''t involved in gambling, why did he bankroll Bad Newz Kennels? What other reason could you have to run a dog-fighting operation? Was this a charitable organization? Vick also claims he didn''t kill dogs but was present when dogs were killed. If Vick tried to claim in a court of law that he was present when people were killed but didn''t participate in the killing he would still be convicted as an accessory after the fact. Same here. Even in his plea deal Vick can''t take responsibility like a man. What a weakling, what a loser.

[opedanderson]

It''s clear his attorneys don''t get it. If it is true that he won''t admit to killing (or even fighting) dogs, then his NFL career is over. I was an advocate of giving him a second chance (after serving time) in the NFL but only if he admits his obsession with this "sport".

Can you imagine Vick running onto the field after serving time and never having admitted to everything. The boos will be deafening.....

[marcodele]

I hope the state charges him with every crime he has committed.

This sicko doesn''t think he''s done anything wrong, and has the money to keep doing whatever he wants to do once this slap on the wrist is over.

I also hope this is a clear signal to all the sickos in this country who need to watch animals tear each other into bloody bits just to feel like a man, that it is over. There have been several major busts of these cowards in the past two years, and I hope there are more and more until it is no longer profitable or erotic to engage in such cruelty.

[arealtexan]

Apparently, real Texans are unAmerican traitors who believe that, in Michael Vick''''s case, numerous provisions of that wonderful document, the US Constitution, should be violated in determining his future.

Posted by juwboy at 09:40 AM : Aug 24, 2007

ROFLMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

His future is determined. The NFL has a right to ban him, they''re a private organization. He''s now a convicted felon. There are all sorts of constitutional decisions regarding whether an organization can hire a convicted felon.

As for my comments about his punishment being unconstitutional, if that''s what you had a problem with, grow a sense of humor, then talk to me later.

[jetlizhan]

arealtexan -

you''re my hero of the day!

[hollyt2-2009]

As the old saying goes "YOU CAN''T BE A LITTLE BIT PREGNANT".

[mcdonaj3]

I apply the "Bill Clinton" rule in this case, what you do in your private life has no relevance to what you do on the job. At least that''s how Congress looked at it. In Vick''s case, to suggest that football players should be held to a "higher standard" is ludicrous.

[sgtrds]

Unless the NFL bans him for life he will be back in some teams uniform unfortunately. I mean don''t forget he can always play for Oakland!

That aside I think there''ll be enough public outrage that the state of Virgina will prosecute and it''s my understanding that he could get as much as 20 to 40 years in convicted. That seems fair.

[gangesdak]

Frankly, these guys also look all the bit evil. You can draw a demon from their face. I am sure their evil nature is not just directed to the dogs. They are rage drived perverts who can kill anyone. Lock them up, and post their whereabouts on websites when they are freed from jail.

[drummer94]

Enough about this guy. He cut a deal, will serve a little time, to show that celebs of any ilk, (paris, lindsay, ike, mike, etc.etc.) will be held accountable, somewhat, he''ll pay a bigassed fine, then move to Pawarto Rrrico and enjoy his craziness. No team should even consider offering him a job, ''cept maybe the Georgia Bulldogs. That critter eats good, and Vick would be the perfect pooper-scooper.

[oleander8]

To mcdonaj3:

What a stretch - do you post just to see yourself in print?

[jn122736]

Quote from article:
"More than 50 pit bulls seized from Vick''s property faced a Thursday deadline to be claimed or be euthanized."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

What could be more hypocrital? Prosecute a person for killing his own dogs, then sentencing 50 of the same dogs to death because no one will take them.

You can''t kill your own dog but you can race a horse until it breaks it''s leg, then kill it.

I assume it is still legal to kill either one, if you are going to eat it.

Just recently a 13-year-old boy was suspended from school for drawing a PICTURE of gun.

Freedom. What freedom?

The sad part is %u201CWe, The People,%u201D are creating our own police state.

But then, when we have finally given up ALL of our INDIVIDUAL freedoms we can always blame Clinton, Bush, or even Iraq, anybody but ourselves.

[vancouverboo]

They''ll have to take what they can get. They''d never get a conviction. One black juror would produce a hung jury.

[aerodog]

jn122736

You can certainly tell the animal lovers from the idiots on this story. Are you for real? These poor dogs'' spirits have all been broken beyond repair. No love, petting, walking or understanding. They cannot be rehabilitated or adopted. They are dangerous and miserable dogs, bless their hearts - through no fault of their own. MAN did this to them, namely Michael Vick. They are better off going to sleep and waking up in ''Rainbow Bridge'' (for you dogs lovers I''m sure you''ve heard of this) and can be happy with new healthy bodies and play!! Another thing, the killing of the dogs that Vick had a hand in was morbidly horrific - a skilled vet''s shot is very humane. I''ve had to put many a dog ''down'' and although it''s broken my heart every time, it was the best thing for the animal. It''s the most unselfish last act a dog owner can perform.

[heynorris]

Hey "vancouverboo", that was a racist statement--just in case you were wondering.

[infidel_us]

I will forever wonder why an organization like the NAACP seeks to gain "equal" treatment, yet act on issues that support favoritism, inequality, racial division, and special treatments that perpetuate it.
Posted by seandgreen at 11:21 AM : Aug 24, 2007

It''s not that difficult. The NAACP and others like it don''t give a flying f**k about anything or anyone who isn''t black. It''s like the ACLU. They are all for "civil liberties" unless you happen to be a white, male, conservastive Christian. In which case you can rot in prison with no rights at all.

Blacks only make up about 16% of the US population. They can play the ''race card'' all they want.....it just reduces their stature even further.

[petesis]

I was hoping he would get between 6 months to a year but after reading this I hope he gets 2 and a half years.
He still doesn''t get it. He needs a swift kick in the azzz.

[vancouverboo]

heynorris, How is it racism to call a racist a racist?

[ianlou]

If the feds are allowing him to cop a plea to a low scoring felony, their case must have been very weak. Maybe they didn''''t have much on him, afterall.
Posted by infidel_us at 09:38 AM : Aug 24, 2007

Yeah, it has nothing to do with the fact that he is rich and famous, if he was white and republican also, he probably would not have been charged.

jetlizhan

Just for the record, +95% of American society is a "MURDERER of animals". Do YOU get it now, GENIUS?

Our society kills 10s of thousands of animals a day, and people want to crucify Michael Vick.

It''s the pot calling the kettle black in my opinion. Until you are all prepared to go VEGEN, don''t act holier than thou. Your all as guilty as Michael Vick...

[luigi999-2009]

Vick''s a dirty liar. How can he or his attorney''s expect the public to go along with his preposterous lies?

The public won''t.

I cannot phantom the Feds giving him a slap on the wrist. The only hope for justice now is the judge. We''ll see just how "tough" this judge is.

[heynorris]

And you, seandgreen, the NAACP is just an organization with it''s own mission, values and principles. Don''t assume all black people are well represented by things NAACP leaders say. They didn''t ask for MY opinion (and yes, I''m a black man).

Speaking of my opinion, if in fact Vick is guilty of the stated charges, then he should go to jail--the acts are dispicable. However, I find it interesting the amount of venom lobbed at Vick--as if black people are known to get off for crimes committed. When we commit crimes, we do go to jail. Check the numbers.

Question: If Vick were white and/or not famous, would you even be participating in this discussion? How much venom would you spew? Would you even care?

Finally, I said the acts are dispicable--NOT unforgivable. If he admits to wrongdoing, exhibits true contrition and takes steps to quash such behavior in, say, kids that grew up like him, then he should be forgiven. Could you even do that? If you can''t, have you ever needed forgiveness for anything or have you walked the straight and narrow every sigle day of your entire life? If you have, I salute you. (You''d be lying of course and my salute would be sarcastic, but you knew that.)

Holla...

[gman80214]

Vick needs to go. He has failed to be a role model and will get few fans from his behavior any sports team will find him more of a burden than an asset

[dirtyred171]

I don''t think that killing dogs warrants such a punishment as spending time in prison and losing everything you worked hard to achieve. In some countries they cut your hand off for stealing, how many of you agree with that? Micheal Vick is one of the world''s greatest athletes. He should be punished, but not crucified. He participated in dogfighting and allegedly killed animals not people. Mary Winkler shot her husband with a 12 guage shotgun while he was asleep and she now walks free. I believe that if some of you people commenting, so boldly were in his shoes would change your tune. If people can kill other human beings, walk free and still pursue whatever they want to do. I feel that Micheal Vick, who allegedly killed dogs, should not be punished as cruelly as you people would have to be.

[gangesdak]

This monster should be put away for a whole lot more than one and a half year or two years. There has to be a law for putting away such evil persons for more than ten years. He lied, he tortured, he killed and enjoyed it. Dogs depend on humans for their protection. He did otherwise. This pervert can kill anyone anytime. Killing and torturing dogs is just one symptom of a deeper instinct as a killer. He should be punished severely.

[jn122736]

%u201Cjn122736

You can certainly tell the animal lovers from the idiots on this story. Are you for real? These poor dogs'''' spirits have all been broken beyond repair. No love, petting, walking or understanding.%u201D
Posted by aerodog at 11:27 AM : Aug 24, 2007
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
aerodog,
Your first line bespeaks your character by the use of name-calling and insult.

The rest of your response reveals more.

You, evidently, are a veterinarian who consistently kills dogs and other animals for money.

You claim that it %u201Cbreaks your heart each time but continue to do so because you are doing it for the animal. Interesting.

You say: %u201CThey are dangerous and miserable dogs, bless their hearts - through no fault of their own. MAN did this to them, namely Michael Vick. They are better off going to sleep and waking up in ''''Rainbow Bridge''''.

Is that another name for %u201Cdog heaven%u201D?
********

I repeat: What could be more hypocrital

[leslie7088]

Michael Vick is one of the most ignorant people I know!! There is no way I would sign a contract for literally MILLIONS of dollars and continue in illegal dog fighting or drug sales. At this point, you should realize you are above doing things of this nature!!!! I agree with his father! He should have signed that whole business over to his snitchin'' cousin and the HOOD RATS!!! Then he would not be in the situation he is in NOW!!! His MORALS are in question!! Who raised (And I use the term LOOSLY!!) this non caring person and why is everyone thinkin HE is being mistreated?! I think he is getting what he deserves and should more!! As far as his career, he has thrown that away and I would not care to see him return!!! He should have used better judgement when he had it!! Are we going to hit his wrists and shake our finger at him saying "NO, NO" like he is a toddler? I think not!! People also need to look at the way the world is going! We have fathers and mothers killing their spouses and kids, we''ve been in WAR for at least 7 yrs and our kids are hurting themselves AND others!!!! We as people need to check ourselves and THINK. What is important? Morals or just let people do what they want when they want. If Michael and the others had not been busted, they would still be doing it and it''s WRONG!!!! Yes, there are others, but THEY got caught for whatever reason. Maybe someone was mad their dog was hurt or killed. We may never know.

[sgtrds]

I believe that if some of you people commenting, so boldly were in his shoes would change your tune.

Posted by dirtyred171 at 11:52 AM : Aug 24, 2007

I''m not in his shoes because I didn''t participate in the inhuman and inhumane "sport" of dog fighting. He did. He knew it was a crime and he did it anyway, so he deserves prison time. Personally I don''t give a da*mn that someone else walked away free after killing her husband when it comes to Vick. That is a separate case and if you think it was a miscarriage then protest to the prosecutor about it. However just because there was an apparent miscarriage of justice in another case, is not a reason to have another one in this case. He needs some serious prison time and his career needs to be over or not only would he be getting off lightly, it would also send the message that athletes get special treatment and can break the law at will.

[sgtrds]

It''''s the pot calling the kettle black in my opinion. Until you are all prepared to go VEGEN, don''''t act holier than thou. Your all as guilty as Michael Vick...

Posted by WontonTiger at 11:42 AM : Aug 24, 2007

This is one of the most BS arguments out there. There is a HUGE difference between animals that are raised for meat and humanely slaughtered then animals that are raised to be tortured and die in a painful and bloody fight for the "enjoyment" of sick people. The whole idea that meat eaters can''t get angry about animal cruelty is a ridiculous argument and makes no sense. It''s not even comparing apples and oranges. More like apples and rocks.

[agnim]

We know that the host of perverted and racist white women out there are only making their hypocritical whining because they are empathizing with their canine se.ex partners.

http://hqvirgins.com/galleries/animal/dog/df13/04.jpg

And the bigoted white supremacist and inadequate males are too happy for the doggy help for their overheated white females, who would mate anything that resembles a phallus/dik!

[petesis]

Vick is obviously a despicable individual and I say that because he apparently thought he was such a big star that he wouldn''t get rolled on? Which also means he is a dumbazzz. Tons of money and still a punk dummy. You defenders of him can sugarcoat it if you feel the need but I don''t see it. Taking dogs and making them fight each other is a despicable act. And as far as the legitimate pit bull lovers... as far as I am concerned, you idiots are the ones providing camoflage and cover for these gangstas with their "*** extender" dogs.

[leslie7088]

heynorris- Iam sorry you feel this way! I''m black also with 3 sons to raise. Everyday my goal is to influence these BLACK MEN to be productive citizens!!!! Michael has not admitted any wrong as of yet that I have seen or heard!! The Falcons were behind him until he came back and admitted that he LIED!!! Then, they pulled OUT!! Do you blame them?!
Wonton Tiger- WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT!!??
gangesdak- Whether it was animals or PEOPLE it is still WRONG!!!!
LETS ALL KEEP IT REAL!! PLEASE!!!! His money means nothing now, the Falcons are going to take that or at least some of it, BACK!!!!!

[pam1sadge]

I really don''t care what color skin Vick has! This isn''t about race this is about human compassion and the lack thereof that this individual has demonstrated and according to his own father for YEARS! The fact that he is an athlete is the only reason it is getting the press that it is and I''m glad it is. It brings this issue to the forefront, exactly where it should be. Killing defenseless animals is unforgiveable. It shows a real probability that Vick has deep rooted psychological problems and will kill again. The privilege of playing football should be over for this guy. He can get another job where he won''t be able to influence millions of young boys around the world. He is losing everything Like any other addicted person! Vick is addicted to dogfighting and then killing the dogs who don''t perform well. In my opinion, Vick hasn''t performed well, so let''s slam him to the ground until he''s breathless! He should get what he gave.

[gheemaster38]

Women shoots and murders husband while he is sleeping and gets what amounts to 67 days in a pysch ward-

Vicks has dogfights- dogs get mangled and some die.. People are demanding he serve years in jail

the average person consumes hundreds of pounds of animal flesh-which means thousands of chickens, cows, pigs, rabbits, deer, lambs, etc. dies horrific death each year.. How much time should humans do for that?