Report: NFL May Reinstate Michael Vick

(CBS/ AP)  Michael Vick may be reinstated to the NFL next week, though that may include a four-game suspension, ESPN reports Friday.

The league is considering whether a suspension would constitute double jeopardy, since Vick already served a 23-month prison sentence and home confinement for his involvement in an illegal dogfighting ring.

Sources told ESPN that NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is expected to announce the deal next week. Goodell and Vick met for three hours on Wednesday at a security firm in N.J. SI.com first reported the meeting at Buckley Petersen Global Inc. in Allendale. Though a reinstatement would allow Vick to sign with a team, several NFL teams have announced publicly that they are not interested in him.

NFL spokesman Greg Aiello declined to confirm the meeting when contacted by The Associated Press on Thursday and insisted no decisions on Vick's future have been made.

"This is a serious matter," Aiello said in an e-mail. "We are engaging in a careful and thoughtful process."

Roger Goodell told the AP on Tuesday, a day after Vick was released from federal custody, that he hoped to make a decision "in the near future."

Goodell suspended Vick indefinitely in August 2007 after the former Atlanta Falcons quarterback admitted bankrolling the "Bad Newz Kennels" dogfighting operation. Goodell has said Vick must show remorse and signs that he has changed before he would consider reinstating him.

Earlier Thursday, Vick's Virginia-based attorney Lawrence Woodward denied reports that Vick spent his first night of freedom at a Virginia Beach strip club.

"It is absolutely, categorically false," Woodward told the AP.

An Internet blogger reported Vick was seen at the strip club Atlantis on Monday night, hours after the electronic monitoring device he wore for two months under home confinement was removed. Woodward said Vick was not in Virginia Beach that night and was not at any strip club.

"He has been spending time with his family and friends and working with his advisers on legal matters and trying to get back to playing football," Woodward said.

Vick also denied the reports in an interview with the Daily Press of Newport News.

"That's crazy," he told his hometown newspaper. "That is the last place on my mind. I was out of town. I guess it's just someone trying to be hurtful."

Two dancers arriving at the club Thursday, who identified themselves as Tropical and Tara, said they did see Vick and NBA free agent Allen Iverson there Monday night.

Leon Rose, Iverson's agent, said the basketball star hasn't seen Vick since his release from prison.

[ruddbird]

If Roger Goddell reinstates him in the NFL, I will NEVER watch the NFL again. This man should not be given the chance to play again after what he did. We need to send a firm message to the children who watch this sport, that this kind of criminal behavior will be be tolerated! This is not the kind of role model we want for our children. I know I will be emailing Roger Goddell and voicing my opinion and we all should.

[tpeks40]

The guy paid for his crimes, now let him be a contributing member of society again. His circumstances may be different than yours and mine, but he has the right to make a living. I suppose half of you people out here not willing to forgive him are "good Christians." Let he without sin cast the 1st stone.....sound familiar? Personally I hope my team signs him, and all you perfect people can boycott my team all you want.

[proudmilvet]

You would think that someone of African-American Heritage, Whose ancestors we're beaten, strangled, Lynched, & Tortured Would ever even think about doing this to another Living Creature. You would Think.

[proudmilvet]

F**K Michael Vick!!

[proudmilvet]

Errorinuse, So our Mean Mouths & Evil Hearts are Worse then Vicks Crime Huh? Michael Vick is a Worthless POS & a Scumbag! He Tortured & Murdered Innocent Animals. I Hope He Has The Worst Life Possible!!

[mysticstone]

Double jeopardy??? You have got to be kidding!!!! Does that mean that once Stallworth has made the payment (undisclosed amt) and completed his community service for killing a man while driving drunk, that he too will be reinstated with the NFL? After all, we would not want to present double jeopardy with him as well!!! I am sure that Dante will be very happy to hear it so that he can continue to make millions of dollars!!!!

[Solarrays247]

by stickdog3 July 24, 2009 7:14 PM EDT
please give me a break, "the good people on this board" I just put up a post to address you and the other hypocrites I've been reading in this thread. What you need to do is take Roger Goddell to jail and take Vicks place. Ask him why he destroyed those tapes That New England had on their Super Bowl opponent several years ago, they were subpoenead by Congress and he couldn't produce them and was forced to say he destroyed them, which is obstruction of justice. He should be in jail, all this dog mess is nothing but yuppie b s.

Ahhh...yuppie b.s.? Personally, I'd like to see Goddell and Vick share a cell.....but that's a subject for another day!!

Gotta go....severe thunderstorm....Have a great day!!

[amulette]

I'm sick of people saying he did his time,murderers should remain in prison,not walking the streets."several NFL teams have announced publicly that they are not interested in him."Good for these teams,if Mr.Goodell reinstates him I hope No team picks him up,but alas I'm sure some team like the Cowboys,who have lost all my respect since J.J. took over will show his usual no-class and take him,after all,he took Owens,that showed me he will take anybody.If Vick is allowed to play,one comment said fans will not boy-cott his games,well this football junkie will,I will not watch any games he plays,I will not show that support.

[ROBACA]

People do make mistakes....that is human. Yes, he did something horrible. Innocent children are murdered every day through abortion and people turn their heads and act as if these babies feel nothing while they are being murdered in their mother's wombs. While dogs are animals it is strange how people put the rights of animals above that of human life.

[stickdog3]

You're missing the point ROBACA, I like your post by the way. I'll give you some clues as to why I said you're missing the point. What country do we live in? What flavor is Vick? There you have it. Answer those questions and you'll figure out what this is all about, bottom line.

[Solarrays247]

I beg your pardon, but the subject matter of this article is animal cruelty, Michael Vick, and the NFL, and this is what we are addressing here.

You are assuming way too much about the good people on this board.

[Buddha10]

Vick needs the same treatment that he dished out to the dogs that were in his fighting ring. I am suprised that Jerry Jones has not tried to push him back into the league so he could pick him up.