Michael Vick Gets OK to Play in NFL

(CBS/ AP)  Michael Vick was reinstated by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on Monday and could play in regular-season games as early as October.

Vick can immediately participate in preseason practices, workouts and meetings and can play in the final two preseason games - if he can find a team that will sign him. A number of teams have already said they would not.

"Needless to say, your margin for error is extremely limited," Goodell said in a letter to Vick. "I urge you to take full advantage of the resources available to support you and to dedicate yourself to rebuilding your life and your career. If you do this, the NFL will support you."

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

"I accept that you are sincere when you say that you want to, and will, turn your life around, and that you intend to be a positive role model for others," Goodell added. "I am prepared to offer you that opportunity. Whether you succeed is entirely in your hands."

Once the season begins, Vick may participate in all team activities except games, and Goodell said he would consider Vick for full reinstatement by Week 6 (Oct. 18-19).

Goodell called a news conference for late Monday afternoon.

"I would like to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation to commissioner Goodell for allowing me to be readmitted to the National Football League," Vick said through agent Joel Segal. "I fully understand that playing football in the NFL is a privilege, not a right, and I am truly thankful for the opportunity I have been given.

"As you can imagine, the last two years have given me time to re-evaluate my life, mature as an individual and fully understand the terrible mistakes I have made in the past and what type of life I must lead moving forward.

"Again, I want to thank the commissioner for the chance to return to the game I love and the opportunity to become an example of positive change."

The announcement came after a busy first week of freedom for Vick, who met with union leaders and Goodell on consecutive days last week. His 23-month federal sentence ended when an electronic monitor was removed from his ankle early on July 20 at his home in Hampton, Va.

He met with DeMaurice Smith, executive director of the NFL Players Association, last Tuesday and, on Wednesday, he sat down with Goodell at a security firm in Allendale, N.J.

But his issues are far from over. Already, the owners of the New York Giants and New York Jets said they have no interest in the 29-year-old quarterback, who once was the league's highest-paid player.

Vick needs to find a team so he can get himself out of financial ruin. He filed for bankruptcy protection last July, listing assets of about $16 million and debts of more than $20 million, and has a hearing about his plan to repay his creditors on Friday in Norfolk, Va. That plan is built around his ability to make NFL-type money again.

He's unlikely to command anything close to the 10-year, $130 million contract he once had with the Falcons, or to get endorsement deals after the grisly details of his involvement in the dogfighting ring.

Vick finally pleaded guilty after his three co-defendants had already done so. They told of how Vick participated in the killing of dogs that didn't perform well in test fights by shooting, hanging, drowning or slamming them to the ground.

Vick's appearances at federal court in Richmond, Va., all came with large groups of protestors outside. Many were with PETA and held signs depicting photographs of Pit Bulls ravaged in dogfights and decrying the brutality in the gruesome details that emerged in the case.

A smaller group came to show support for Vick wearing jerseys with his No. 7.

Vick has already taken some steps to begin rebuilding his image and showing remorse.

He met with the president of the Humane Society of the United States while serving the first 18 months of his federal sentence in the prison at Leavenworth, Kan. He plans to work with HSUS in a program designed to steer inner city youth away from dogfighting. He was not permitted to work with the program while in custody.

"It's been a long process," Segal said. "He's thrilled for the opportunity to resume his playing career. He understands he has a lot to prove."

Former coach Tony Dungy has agreed to continue his work with Vick as an advisor and mentor, according to Goodell.

[cauliflower92]

he without sin cast the first stone...PLEASE! I'm so glad God gives second chances. Vick keep living and learning...Shake does haters off..what you do best! I cant wait to see you on Sunday's again (after church of course LOL!!!)

[cauliflower92]

333

[billythinks]

I think he should have to go play for the Cleveland Browns and have to wear one of those crazy dog head mask thingy's when he's on the bench...what do you think? We just started a debate/discussion on this at www.billythinks.com.

[gunownerdan]

Thomas Jefferson said it best!

"A strong body makes the mind strong. As to the species of exercises, I advise the gun. While this gives moderate exercise to the body, it gives boldness, enterprise and independence to the mind. Games played with the ball and others of that nature, are too violent for the body and stamp no character on the mind. Let your gun therefore be the constant companion of your walks."
- President Thomas Jefferson

[mwhc1]

I'll chear every time a player picks up a 15 yard penalty for nailing vick... nailing him hard! might make for a good game :) maybe i'll start watching the NFL more. Every time someone knocks vick out cold on the field... perhaps a $100 donation to PETA :D

[suesark]

And why not? After all, the game must go on...that's the name of the game these days. And he is now going to be a spokesman against Dog Fighting?!? I am sure he will be full of remorse....at how he got caught, had to spend time, missed a few games. Probably never mention the dogs he slammed against the wall, or drowned, or electrocuted and on and on and on. What a sad state of affairs.

[jayrod0224]

I cannot believe that this sorry excuse for a human being is being allowed to play football. I my self will not watch NFL as long as this WORTHLESS PIECE OF SH*T is involved in the NFL. This idiot should have gotten 23 years, not 23 months. As far as the rest of the dumb azzes that feel that he has done his time, well you are just as worthless as he is. He is nothing but a sick, immoral, and ignorant black man who deserves NO sympathy!

[wrangler73]

The most common argument we hear from Vick supporters echoes dronemonk's remark: "The man served his time and should be allowed to go back to work." This is an absolutely "whacked-out" stunted notion of what a Criminal Justice System conviction means. Release from prison does NOT magically CLENSE a Convicted Violent Felony Offender. Nor does Release from prison in any way signify that a Released Convicted Violent Felony Offender is entitled to be warmly embraced by law-abiding non-violent citizens or businesses. Nor does Release from prison in any way signify that a Released Convicted Violent Felony Offender has paid his debt to society. In fact, Vick is still on parole. Any wise, prudent law-abiding citizen would be well-advised and justified in black-listing and ostracizing such a violent felon from their lives, as would any business. This opportunist is fundamentally unrepentent. And anyone who takes Vick's conniving, opportunistic so-called "apology" seriously, is more likely to be guilty of 'dishonesty' than of gullibility. The only work this insincere Convicted Violent Felony Offender should be returning to is the job of cleaning bathroom stalls at a bus station.

[rank_n_file]

Rank_n_File "nailed it" when he wrote that this place would fill-up with Vick--NFL supporters who'd prove their sociopathic character via their condescending twaddle about how INSIGNIFICANT animals are (in their vacant little minds). Of course humans ARE animals so it's self-denigration. The thing about sociopaths is that they simply cannot hide or cloak who they really are. When one is utterly devoid of conscience and compassion, there is rarely any attempt to deny it. Just an angry, militant assertion of their inalienable right to be that way. Their feigned "gullibility" as to the sincerity of Vick's opportunistic "apology' (there's enormous amounts of money at stake here) demonstrate both their lack of conscience and their lack of intelligence. And that is why Vick will be rolling in the dough, instead of cleaning restrooms where he should be. There simply are NOT enough people of conscience in sports to counter-balance the onslaught of mindless screaming sociopaths in the sports arena. It's a sick and twisted place we now live in. But it's entirely consistent with all the Neanderthal violence that plagues this ailing planet.

[bigmo47]

Your psychological evaluation of everyone who doesn't agree with you is very funny. It is even funnier when you begin your post by talking about yourself in 3rd person and agreeing with yourself. I'm sure you meant to log in under your other user name to agree with yourself, but you forgot to do it this time. That is truly hilarious!!!!

[tiredofthebs]

And it should have been "And people wonder ...."

[tiredofthebs]

Oops .... EVERYTHING