Vick Arrives Home For House Arrest

Former NFL Star Will Spend Final 2 Months Of 23-Month Sentence In Home Confinement

(CBS/AP) 
Part of Vick's problem was the company he kept, Blank said, and weeding out the bad influences and associating with people who have his best interests at heart will be a key to redemption and a possible return to the NFL.

"There's the expression 'you are what you eat.' To some extent, you are who you hang with too, and that does have an effect on lives for all of us," he said.

Vick's NFL future remains a mystery, but former Falcons receiver Roddy White says his teammate should be allowed to return to the league.

"Mike's already paid his dues," White said Wednesday. "He wants to play football. I think if he gets reinstated before the season, there'll be a couple of teams that will be after him and give him a chance to play."

Vick has said he will partner with the Humane Society of the United States assisting the animal rights group in a program to eradicate dogfighting among ubran teens.

Billy Martin, one of Vick's attorneys, said Wednesday that his client wanted to work the humane society because "they were probably one of the harshest critics (of Vick) pre-indictment."

Martin added that it's time for Vick to stop talking about what his plans are.

"No more words. Now it's time for Mike's deeds to speak for themselves."

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals said Vick doesn't deserve that chance until he passes psychological tests proving he is capable of feeling genuine remorse.

"Our position would be the opportunity to play in the NFL is a privilege, not a right," PETA spokesman Dan Shannon said.

While Vick is reviled by some, he still can draw a crowd. His anticipated return to Hampton created a buzz. About a dozen people lingered around well past 1 a.m. Thursday morning, a few donning Vick jerseys.

On Wednesday there was a steady stream of curious onlookers flowing through the cul-de-sac as news spread that he was heading back to town.

Some conveniently jogged by, others biked and many simply drove in hoping to get a peek.

A couple of college-age men climbed out onto a first-story roof across the street from Vick's home and sat down to absorb the scene, then tossed a football in the yard Wednesday.

And of course, there was no shortage of media, satellite TV trucks and photographers.

While there were no signs welcoming the fallen star back to the home he will share with his fiancee and children, neighbors seemed relieved that the gathering wasn't larger.

Doug Walter, who lives two doors away, said he was pleasantly surprised when he got home from work to find only media on the street, and not the "radical element" he feared.

A criminal defense attorney and self-described dog lover, Walter said he cringed at some of the details of violence against animals that came out in the case, but also believes that Vick deserves a second chance at football and hopes that he wins reinstatement to the NFL.

"I think that he has paid the penalty - a rather steep penalty - which our system deemed appropriate, and I think he should be allowed to move on with his life," Walter said.

That's just the kind of neighbor that Vick will need as he works first to convince the public, Goodell and others that he returns a different man than the one who became known for bankrolling a dogfighting ring and killing dogs.

[andie52]

Michael Vick was released from prison early this morning after less than two years behind bars and is headed back to Hampton, Virginia, where he'll serve the final two months of his sentence under house arrest.

In January, after a U.S. Department of Agriculture report on Vick's dogfighting activities revealed that Vick had enjoyed placing family pets in the ring with the pit bulls he'd bred, raised, and trained to fight

This went on for 5 years before he was even arrested so what we saw on Dog town was the tip of the iceberg,

What he and his cronies did for those 5 years was despicable he doesn?t deserve a second chance.without a full psychiatric evaluation and even then I wouldn?t trust him not to pull something like this again. The fact they revelled in it while making millions of dollars makes it even more so.

[watch09]

The man was sentenced for his crime, has done what the system requires him to do and it is time to let it go. I didn't particularly like Michael Vick before but he was a talented player. I sure didn't agree with his activities with the dogs but he lost quite a bit in prestige, money, respect and most of all free time in this world. It is up to him to see if he can climb back up on top and show if he is an athlete and citizen worth a second chance or if he is going to hang with the bangers and thugs of the street and fall again into the ghetto world. Athletics, drugs and crime do not match and it is time for the wannabe athletes to realize this and bring sports back to their heydays of respect. Let the man prove himself one way or the other.

[observer2020]

He should have to live the way his dogs/victims did. Also, he should have to report to, or stay at, Dog Town for this last two months (definitely not enough time for the crime) and help rehabilitate dogs. Maybe he will get just the smallest hint on what he did. And I agree that treating animals in this way is just a short step to treating humans that way. Personally, I could care less if he ever plays football again....or if he does, one-half of his salary goes to Dog Town and like places....because I will never, ever watch any game he plays in, even if my favorite team is playing against him. Oh...Pete Rose belongs in the Baseball Hall of Fame!

[andie52]

Imprisoned NFL star Michael Vick will be allowed to serve the last two months of his sentence under home confinement because there is no room at a halfway house for him, a government official told the Associated Press Thursday.

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2009-02-26-vick-update_N.htm

No room or not fancy enough for him? He should have to live the way his dogs/victims did.


Saving the Michael Vick Dogs

In April 2007, the nation was shocked when dozens of traumatized pit bulls were discovered on Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vicks property. Follow the journey of four of the most challenging Vick dogs as DogTown helps rehabilitate them.

http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/series/dogtown/3684/Overview

[YCantWeAllGetAlong]

It is no surprise to me whatsoever that I read an article about this piece of scum maybe getting to play professional sports again. Add another check mark to why I won't ever watch this sport. Drug using, crime ridden, gut toting slime permeates the game. It's a shame; one of the conditions of his parole should have been a football ban for LIFE. What was it that we banned Pete Rose for, FOR LIFE? Give me a break. That sport is all about money.

This man did not serve adequate time for what he did. Animal cruelty is one of many signs of a serious mental disorder that can lead to other heinous crimes. I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if this creep did harm to people next or some other vicious act. Horrible, horrible man.

[CMancos]

I think he is going to hell if he doesnt change his way, what do you think? No, it is not a retorical question. I dont care what football team he plays on, I wont be one of his fans.

[cmc1227]

The Raiders have Russell, why would they want Vick? Unless they are going to put him at another position, I just don't see the need for another QB in Oakland. Then again, Al Davis always seems to pull off some of the most bizarre things in the NFL

[dwilson59]

Did you see the bait dogs on the news clip? How is it consider making two beagles obese less of a cruel action. Saving them, they are so heavy, killing with kindness. Very sad story all the way around. I am happy Vick paid his due and willing to help fight dog fighting.
Posted by inthenameofdogs at 3:59 PM : May 21, 2009

Are you also saying the Raiders

[inthenameofdogs]

Did you see the bait dogs on the news clip? How is it consider making two beagles obese less of a cruel action. Saving them, they are so heavy, killing with kindness. Very sad story all the way around. I am happy Vick paid his due and willing to help fight dog fighting.

[dwilson59]

I say he is going to the Raiders what do you think?