ATLANTA, June 12, 2009

Michael Vick Officially Dumped By Falcons

Quarterback Awaits NFL Decision On Reinstatement After Dogfighting Ring Conviction

  • Michael Vick, Atlanta's once franchise player, will have to resume his career elsewhere, the team said.

    Michael Vick, Atlanta's once franchise player, will have to resume his career elsewhere, the team said.  (AP Photo/Rusty Kennedy)

  • Timeline Vick Dogfighting Case

    Star NFL quarterback Michael Vick in hot water over dogfighting operation.

(AP)  The Michael Vick era in Atlanta is officially over.

Atlanta Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff said the team relinquished its contractual rights to Vick on Friday.

"Michael remains suspended by the NFL," Dimitroff said. "However, in the event NFL commissioner Roger Goodell decides to reinstate Michael, we feel his best opportunity to re-engage his football career would be at another club."

The move was no surprise. Owner Arthur Blank has said Vick would not return to the Falcons.

Goodell has not committed to reinstating Vick after the quarterback completes his 23-month sentence on July 20 for running a dogfighting ring.


© MMIX The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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by MPHgrad June 12, 2009 6:02 PM EDT
cs4466 & stupa1
It is clear that you all can't engage in a conversation without stooping to name calling. You all must be more closely related to the canines you are defending than I originally thought. I accept your less than intelligent opinion and in this, the good ol USA, you must accept mine. and cs4466, you demonstrate the adage assumptions are...
I'm a vegetarian and have been one for 11 years thank you very much. So, you must have been referring to yourself. That's okay, your lack of aptitud is obvious.
stupa1...and "such a boring cliche'" is duh a cliche'
at the end of the day, you all are mad because people disagree with you.

On the Kobe issue, I never said he was convicted--glad you all don't practice law. I'm only saying there was much less anger over the charges. I don't think he did it either, but the anger was much greater over some silly animals. That is demonstrative of a serious disconnect. As a psychiatrist, I encounter people like you often. It's okay, mental incapacitation is protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act.
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by Thalia-9 June 12, 2009 5:20 PM EDT
Posted by LABLVR

You are dead on right about Kobe lablvr...like I said, we got a lot more news locally than national coverage got...and what 'transpired' was printed in the papers after her own friends came forward with the total smell of BS in the air...thank God they had enough sense to come forward saying "look...she is our friend, but she's not all there (citing past events she was responsible for) and could destroy this guy! Especially as she was gushing/bragging about the event and how 'big' it was...sound like rape to you?? Me neither - and the fact that Kobe is STILL being persecuted by the public for an act of mutual consent followed by the hopes of some $ payout or a 'relationship' w/ him, then trying to ruin a guys life cause she got neither makes me mad...I don't even watch or like B-ball, but I dislike someone manipulating for attention and money even more.
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by Thalia-9 June 12, 2009 5:07 PM EDT
Whoa, whoa, whoa!! Back the accusation train up a wee bit!...in regard to Kobe Bryant, we live near where that event took place and there's a whole lot more to the story than national news gave and there was a reason he was not convicted...and that reason was due to 'mutual consent' followed by a "Thanks! See ya!" brush off...the fact that she was gushing/bragging about it to her friends didn't help her case at all!! you can't run around after the fact with a "well...it was fun while it lasted, but in thinking about it now, hmmm...I really 'meant' to say no! Adulterer, yep...rapist? no.
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by Thalia-9 June 12, 2009 4:55 PM EDT
I do protest......I don't eat meat....I have seen the horrible conditions that these animals suffer while being raised for food....I cannot be a part of that....
Posted by willow0313

sorry willow, but you are only partially right - not that I have anything at all against vegans and I myself eat more veggies and fruits than meat and dairy, but in defense of ranchers who raise their cattle on large ranches, an organic diet w/ out hormones or steroids, they take excellent care of their livestock.
And they're only on the ranch for part of the time - after they calve out in the spring, and the calfs are branded, they're driven to open range in the mountains where they have all the food, water and space they want. So it's not all tiny pens and horrable living conditions like they show on TV documentaries - My father in law has brought a sick calf into the mudroom to take care of it more times than I can count over the years.
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by LABLVR June 12, 2009 4:52 PM EDT
to mphgrad -- Check the facts: the female/human that claimed assault CHOSE to be with Kobe at first; one of those groupies who hang around entertainment "stars." I wasn't there and neither were you, so we have no way of really knowing what transpired between them. However, none of the dogs that Vick tortured and killed would ever CHOOSE to be in that situation. Another fact: individuals who abuse and torture animlas (from rabbits to dogs to horses, etc.) will always move to more challenging prey: humans - unless they receive serious treatment in their early years. Check out the serial killers and you'll discover they ALL had their beginnings with animals. With all the good things Vick had going for him, it defies logic that he chose to be involved with and supported dog fighting. Yes, he served his time in prison and I hope he has reformed, but I surely won't be holding my breath looking for his halo.
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by lost_america June 12, 2009 4:47 PM EDT
I certainly think he was wrong, but I think the punishment was excessive especially when penalties for crimes against people are often not as stiff. Like I said, Kobe Bryant is enjoying a wonderful career, and none has commented on that. His crime was far worse. Vick paid his dues. Also, these are pit bulls, so come on. Almost every time someone is attacked by dogs it is one of these vicious dogs.....

Posted by MPHgrad at 9:57 AM : Jun 12, 2009
+ report abuse + permalink

*****************************************************
Silly, Everyone knows now adays that raping woman (kobe) and killing babies (Dr Tiller) are no where near as offensive to the left as fighting dogs.....

Even worse would be to break an eagles egg, eat a spotted owl, or kill a whale.

Afterall Kobe has a right to satisfy his needs over that woman's it was his choice, even if I think Rape is wrong, he should still have the right to choose correct?

as long as he does not choose to kill a whale I do not see where this would be a problem
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by Newster1 June 12, 2009 4:40 PM EDT
Buh bye jerk!
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by dwilson59 June 12, 2009 4:35 PM EDT
So who thinks Vic will go to the Raiders? I would like to see him in Detroit
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by cdegolier June 12, 2009 4:15 PM EDT
Kobe Bryant was accused of assaulting a woman/human & his NBA career continues. Posted by MPHgrad at 8:32 AM : Jun 12, 2009

That was an accused assault and it went to court, case dropped and there was outrage. What Vick did was torture and kill animals, why is that not worse than selling drugs? Do you not think that animal abusers have it in them to hurt humans. Thank You Atlanta!!
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by cs4466 June 12, 2009 4:14 PM EDT
Why aren't you all crying foul about the poor chickens bred to fight or be eaten? The poor cows bred for food consumption, pigs? I don't eat any of these things and still couldn't care less about how they are raised.
Posted by MPHgrad at 9:57 AM : Jun 12, 2009

That's because I'm a vegetarian and you're an idiot.
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