Vick: "I Want To Be Part of the Solution"

Newest Philadelphia Eagle Vows to be Positive Force Against Animal Cruelty After Serving Time for Dogfighting

(CBS/ AP)  Michael Vick is back in the NFL after serving one and a half years in prison for his role in a dogfighting ring, vowing to be "part of the solution and not the problem."

Vick, who was introduced Friday as the newest Philadelphia Eagle, acknowledged his checkered past but said he deserved a second chance.

"I know I've done some terrible things, made a horrible mistake," he said, adding later "I think everyone deserves a second chance … as long as you come back and do things the right way."

Vick, who signed a one-year deal with an option for a second year, was flanked by Eagles coach Andy Reid and mentor Tony Dungy.

"I really got the sense he wanted to do some great things," Dungy said. "He wanted to be a positive role model for young people. He wanted to get back to his family."

The 29-year-old Vick has been out of action since 2006. The former Atlanta Falcons star served 18 months of a 23-month sentence in federal prison.

He also was suspended indefinitely by the NFL.

"For the life of me, I can't understand why I was involved in such pointless activity," Vick said. "Why did I risk so much at the pinnacle of my career?"

Commissioner Roger Goodell conditionally lifted Vick's suspension on July 27, allowing him to sign with a team, practice and play in the last two preseason games. Once the season begins, Vick can participate in all team activities except games, and Goodell said he would consider Vick for full reinstatement by Week 6 (Oct. 18-19) at the latest.

The Eagles are looking to add another dimension to their offense, but Vick might be looking for a new position. Vick wasn't brought in to compete with five-time Pro Bowl quarterback Donovan McNabb for a starting job, so the two could end up on the field together.

"He's an unbelievable athlete, both running the ball and throwing it," Reid said Thursday. "I'll think of something for him."

But Vick comes with a lot of baggage from his dog-fighting conviction.

CBS Sports "NFL Today" anchor James Brown, who interviewed Vick for this Sunday's edition of 60 Minutes said Vick has to "answer the question to those who want to give him a second chance."

As for the Eagles signing Vick, Brown told CBS' "The Early Show" the move was "significant," adding that Vick is a "phenomenal" player.

The most likely scenario would be for the Eagles to use Vick in a variation of the Wildcat offense that the Miami Dolphins made popular last season. Vick also is familiar with the West Coast offense, though he ran a different version with Atlanta than the one Philadelphia uses.

"He can definitely make a lot of plays," Eagles cornerback Sheldon Brown said.

Vick thanked Reid and Eagles ownership for taking a gamble on him. He also personally thanked McNabb for lobbying the team on his behalf.

"I'm glad that coach Reid and the rest of the organization stepped forward," Vick said. "I'm glad I got the opportunity and the second chance. I won't disappoint."

Vick, who said he has no more pets, said he planned to actively work in the community and the humane society to prove he can help more animals than he's hurt.

Vick will practice with the Eagles on Saturday.

"I'm ready to go," he said.

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Philadelphia is a surprise landing point for Vick. It was among 26 clubs that said there was no interest in him, but that may have changed when backup Kevin Kolb strained a knee ligament earlier this week. Kolb's injury isn't serious and he's expected to return next week. The Eagles also have veteran A.J. Feeley.

"There won't be a quarterback controversy," Reid said.

Reid consulted with McNabb before signing Vick, who went to three Pro Bowls in six seasons with the Falcons.

"I pretty much lobbied to get him here," McNabb said. "He's no threat to me, not for Kolb. We had the opportunity to add another weapon to our offense."

When news of Vick's signing circulated in the press box during the first half of the Eagles' preseason opener against the Patriots Thursday night, even the team's public relations staff seemed surprised.

The crowd quickly caught on at Lincoln Financial Field. Fans standing on the concourse were in disbelief. One guy wondered how quickly he'd be able to buy a Vick jersey. Another asked if this was a joke.

"It doesn't make any sense," said Michelle Harlan, a mother attending her first NFL game with a young son.

In the 60 Minutes interview, Vick accepted blame for not stopping the illegal dogfighting operation he bankrolled.

Vick said he feels "some tremendous hurt behind what happened."

He said he should have taken "the initiative to stop it all ... I didn't."

Asked if he was more concerned about his playing career or the dogs he hurt, Vick replied, "Football don't even matter."

The animal rights group, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, wasted no time reminding people exactly what Vick had done.

"PETA and millions of decent football fans around the world are disappointed that the Eagles decided to sign a guy who hung dogs from trees. He electrocuted them with jumper cables and held them under water," PETA spokesman Dan Shannon told The Associated Press Thursday.

"You have to wonder what sort of message this sends to young fans who care about animals and don't want them to be harmed."

Reid believes most Eagles fans will accept Vick.

"This is America. We do make mistakes," Reid said. "This situation is a chance to prove he's doing the right things. He's been proactive speaking across the country."

Since Reid became the head coach in 1999, the Eagles have avoided players with character issues. The lone exception came in 2004 when Philadelphia acquired wide receiver Terrell Owens. That move paid off when Owens helped lead the Eagles to the Super Bowl in his first season. But T.O. quickly wore out his welcome, criticizing management over a contract dispute and feuding with McNabb. He was released midway through the 2005 season.

The Eagles must be hoping they won't regret this one.

[faninstlou]

I'm sorry if someone else has already said this, I didn't read all of the comments. I think what Michael Vick did was horrible beyond definition. I have owned dogs most of my life and cannot imagine doing anything close to what he did. But do you all remember that there is a player in the NFL who killed a human being? Leonard Little killed a woman when he was driving drunk. The "justice" he received included spending weekends in a medium security city jail where he had a cell in a separate part of the "jail" and was allowed to use his cell phone and have many other special privileges. He is now back in the NFL (OK, sort of -- he does play for the Rams) and making millions of dollars. Neither of these guys should be allowed anywhere near the NFL.

[bikerbabe883]

when they play the KC Chiefs we will picket!

[bikerbabe883]

What does this message tell our youth? "That if your a felon, you too can play football" Not a solution but a problem!

[eiddam]

I agree with some that Vicks is very sorry he got caught, not for what he did, otherwise he would still be tortureing dogs.

[micheleisfree]

Want to be a part of the solution, Vick?
Go away.
I'd plan my next incarceration if I were you.

[cattiej]

I feel that anyone who is found quilty to animals like Mike Vick was should never be able to pay in football, baseball, basketball,soccer,this man is sick in the head. He has not and probably never will not have time to recover from the anal things he did to these dogs. One of these days he will wake up and want to see some rough stuff and he will find some dogs or he will find some humans he can pay to rough up each other, perhaps on of them will..Vick still has that cocky attitude. Who ever plays against him in football, rough him up real, real good..good enough to put him out of the game and perhaps out of football forever. Our children do not need a roll like the Vick. We won't watch any of the games, nor buy any of the products sold during the game..There are no winners in this case, all of the public are losers along with the other players..Boycott the games...

[summarex]

I liked the badassed Vick who fought dogs and took BS from no one. I don't like this new pet friendly castratto. When he talks of being the solution, I hope he means the solution to the problem of animal rights activists and other societal degenerates who are suddenly so influential.

[Bernumber]

Out of one million news stories broadcast on the airwaves today, this is the least important--except to Vick's team and CBS who must be owned by the same fatcats. I know hundreds of people who didn't have to spend 18 months in the pen to learn that cruetly to animals and other living things is WRONG! Obviously, the devil made him "do it", but now he has found God. Who raised this guy???????????

[Bernumber]

Out of a million stories to hit the airwaves today, the is the one millionth in importance. "The devil made me do it, but now I have found God." I know hundreds of people who didn't have to spend 18 months in prison to learn that it is wrong--and illegal--to be cruel to animals and other living things. Are CBS and Vick's team owned by the same fatcats?

[wdwbw]

his second chance was getting out of jail...
He does not belong on a professional team...making money to set up shop here...
He did not make "A" mistake he killed many dogs in many was this came from his mouth...
You can close your eyes , but I wont and my mouth , and fingers, and calls, and anything else I can do will just keep on spilling out...
So you get over yourself...I personally rescue these dogs and take them away from spineless, cold , cruel and inhumane trash talking idiots like MIchael Vick and the others that support him...
Boycott, protest, and picket...any and all ...owners of the Eagles, trainers, coaches, cheerleaders, mascots, fans that fly the logo, any team that allows Michael Vick on thier fields to play, City Hall for the response to a second chance given to Vick,
His second chance was getting out of jail...He should be banned from ever playing a professional sport again...why put the money back in the hand of such a mentally disturbed, demented, cruel and animalistic psychopath again...so he can set up shop somewhere else ?????????
As for all the explanations,,,from Laury, McNabb and the coaches...B/S they should all be ashamed of themselves and question just how moral and humane they truely are....
BOYCOTT, PROTEST AND PICKET EVERYONE INVOLVED AND DO NOT FORGET THE PLAYERS...IF THEY AGREE TO PLAY ON THIS TEAM WITH SUCH A DEMENTED IDIOT ... INCLUDE THEM ALSO...

Absolutely NOT...no support here...
BOYCOTT, PROTEST AND PICKET ANY AND ALL FIELDS THAT THE EAGLES PLAY AT...
BOYCOTT, PROTEST AND PICKET THE NOVA CENTER, CITY HALL FOR SPEAKING OUT ...ABOUT SECOND CHANCES... AND ANY AND ALL COACHES, OWNERS, TRAINERS, MASCOT, CHEERLEADERS ETC...IF IT / THEY HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE EAGLES AND OR MICHAEL VICK...BOYCOTT, PROTEST AND PICKET...
The Fan Base needs to get out there and show that they do not agree with him being on the team and get him out of here...
HIS SECOND CHANCE WAS GETTING OUT OF JAIL...
HE SHOULD NEVER PLAY PROFESSIONAL BALL AGAIN....EVER!!!!!!
Everyone involved or backing this Michael Vick ...
They must be as bad as he is...
There should not be any support for such a disgusting, cruel, psycohotic piece of trash as this guy...
Stand up FANS...take your team back and say no to this...
There needs to be a ralley and a damn big one...
Get a backbone and speak out against bringing The Michael Vick Trash to town...
Have a lovely evening...Just say no....

[saturn05]

He just wants to play football. He should get an oscar for his performance.

[formrusmcsgt]

Vick.. acknowledged his checkered past but said he deserved a second chance.
--
He deserves as much of a second chance as he gave his dogs....

[jasperlily]

I saw Vick on tv today referring to his "mistakes". Hanging dogs from trees and electrocuting them with jumper cables does not qualify as a "mistake" It was a deliberate, heartless, heinous and sadistic act. Since he's still in denial about the horrors of what he did, I guess I will opt not to trust him to "be part of the solution".

[interestedandconcerned]

The Eagles are a disgrace to the NFL and so is the Commissioner that let Vick back in. Goodbye Eagles.

[Kat6595]

Hockeymom I think you fall and bumped your head a bit too much.. dang Bush to blame for 9/11 you are so far off ..... Yes you definitely need to see a doctor about your head injury..

[thgdriver]

Lynette Fromme Released More Than 30 Years After 1975 Assassination Attempt on Gerald Ford.

Hey Eagles, Lynette would like to be close to another "cell mate" maybe you could teach Vick the finer points of kicking the old pigskin and Squeaky could be his holder.

[Kat6595]

Micheal Vick has done horrible things to helpless animals. While, most people get the min. of 15 years for such cruelty he only recieved eighteen months.. What a shame at least he should have experienced the volts of a battery charger to his most tenderness spots on his body or had the simulation of drowning done to him.. Then, I would think he might have wanted to be part of the Solution. But, no as on the news tonight the spoke of how he maintained his body while in jail and how he worked out.. Now that sounds like a bad time..gym for free at the expensive of how many Animals lives ? No he is just a nasty man that enjoyed killing for Fun.. And is that who you want your KIDS to look up to?

[thgdriver]

Come on Laurie, Reed, McNabb, Fromme needs a second chance too, No room in your organization of convicted criminals for her??

[thgdriver]

I wonder if the Philadelphia Eagles know thet Linette(Squeaky)Fromme is out of prison and needs a job too.

[marmar1725]

If I thought for one moment that he would turn this into good I would support his new position. But I didn't hear any remorse for the animals whose lives are no more in any of his comments. All I heard was how it affected HIM. That level of selfishness should not even be allowed to reach out to our children in any way shape or form. That level of selfishness will not teach our children. Mark my words-as soon as all the hoopla dies down...and it will...he will be right back to the same individual he was. He may not bank roll a dog fighting ring but he will still be the same selfish, self centered individual he was before he was caught. Only now he knows the consequences won't really be that bad....Makes me scared to think of what he feels he will be able to get away with next.