NFL Suspends Mike Vick Indefinitely Without Pay; QB Admits He Ran Dogfight Biz, Killed Pit Losers
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Associated Press—-The NFL indefinitely suspended Michael Vick without pay Friday just hours after he acknowledged in court papers that he did, indeed, bankroll gambling on dogfighting and helped kill some dogs not worthy of the pit.
Vick, however, insisted he placed no bets of his own nor took any winnings.
In disciplining Vick, commissioner Roger Goodell said Vick’s admitted conduct was “not only illegal but also cruel and reprehensible” and regardless whether he personally placed bets, “your actions in funding the betting and your association with illegal gambling both violate the terms of your NFL player contract and expose you to corrupting influences in derogation of one of the most fundamental responsibilities of an NFL player.”
WARNING: graphic photo…of one of Vick’s Victims:
Goodell freed the Falcons to “assert any claims or remedies” to recover $22 million of Vick’s signing bonus from the 10-year, $130 million contract he signed in 2004.
The commissioner didn’t speak to Vick but based his decision on the court filings. NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said Goodell may meet with Vick in the future, and Goodell said he would review the suspension after all the legal proceedings.
“You have engaged in conduct detrimental to the welfare of the NFL and have violated the league’s personal conduct policy,” Goodell told Vick in a letter after meeting in New York with Falcons president and general manager Rich McKay.
Falcons owner Arthur Blank supported Goodell’s decision and said: “We hope that Michael will use this time, not only to further address his legal matters, but to take positive steps to improve his personal life.”
Earlier Friday, a “summary of facts” signed by Vick was filed along with his written plea agreement on a federal dogfighting conspiracy charge. He will appear before U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson to formally plead guilty Monday and then await sentencing at a later date.
The court documents and a statement by Vick’s legal team seek to portray him as less involved in the dogfighting ring than three co-defendants who previously pleaded guilty and agreed to testify against the Atlanta Falcons quarterback.
“While Mr. Vick is not personally charged with or responsible for committing all of the acts alleged in the indictment, as with any conspiracy charge, he is taking full responsibility for his actions and the actions of the others involved,” the defense team said in a written statement after the plea agreement was filed.
“Mr. Vick apologizes for his poor judgment in associating himself with those involved in dog fighting and realizes he should never have been involved in this conduct,” the statement said.
Vick signed the plea agreement late Thursday.
His lawyer, Daniel Meachum, said “he’s accepted responsibility for the charges and is trying to put his life back together, and asks that you pray for him.”
“Most of the Bad Newz Kennels operation and gambling monies were provided by Vick,” the summary of facts said, echoing language in plea agreements by the three co-defendants.
The statement said that when the kennel’s dogs won, the gambling proceeds were generally shared by Vick’s three co-defendants — Tony Taylor, Purnell Peace and Quanis Phillips.
“Vick did not gamble by placing side bets on any of the fights. Vick did not receive any of the proceeds of the purses that were won by Bad Newz Kennels,” the summary said.
According to the statement, Vick also was involved with the others in killing six to eight dogs that did not perform well in testing sessions last April. The dogs were executed by drowning or hanging.
“Vick agrees and stipulates that these dogs all died as a result of the collective efforts” of Vick, Phillips and Peace, the statement said.
In the plea agreement, the government committed to recommending a sentence on the low end of the federal sentencing guideline range of a year to 18 months. However, the conspiracy charge is punishable by up to five years in prison, and the judge is not bound by any recommendation or by the guidelines.
Hudson has a reputation for imposing stiff sentences, according to lawyers who have appeared in his court. The judge will set a sentencing date at Monday’s hearing.
“Our position has been that we are going to try to help Judge Hudson understand all the facts and Michael’s role,” Vick’s defense attorney, Billy Martin, said in telephone interview. “Michael’s role was different than others associated with this incident.”
Martin said Vick will “speak to the public and explain his actions.” Though he declined to say when and where, the Tom Joyner Morning Show, a syndicated program based in Dallas, said it will have a live interview with Vick on Tuesday.
The U.S. attorney’s office, which has declined to comment on the case, said it would issue a statement after the hearing. Sources said prosecutors want Vick to do at least 18 months behind bars, in effect, killing the superstar’s football career.
The case began in April when authorities conducting a drug investigation of Vick’s cousin raided a Surry County property owned by Vick and found dozens of dogs, some injured, and equipment commonly used in dogfighting.
A federal indictment issued in July charged Vick, Peace, Phillips and Taylor with an interstate dogfighting conspiracy. Vick initially denied any involvement, and all four men pleaded innocent.
Taylor was the first to change his plea to guilty, saying Vick financed the dogfighting ring’s gambling and operations. Peace and Phillips soon followed, alleging that Vick joined them in killing dogs that did not measure up in test fights.
The sickening details outlined in the indictment and other court papers prompted a public backlash against Vick, who had been one of the NFL’s most popular players.
As animal-rights groups mobilized against Vick and sponsors dropped him, Vick was barred from the Falcons training camp, but neither the NFL nor the team have taken further action.
August 24th, 2007 at 8:04 pm
Dear Art,
I’ve seen all that gruesome stuff, I’ve had family that lived and suffered on farms.
I’ve seen chickens running around with their heads cut off, I’ve seen cows slaughtered…Lord Knows I’ve seen a whole lot more than that.
But we ate them, and it wasn’t for entertainment or enjoyment.
Not in my eyes anyway…some of the men, especially the boys didn’t really seem to understand, or know what to think…
Love Always,
Freida
August 24th, 2007 at 8:38 pm
Art,
The most shameful thing is, at least, in Korea, and many parts of this world…they would have put that dog down, fast, and cooked and ate him, so he didn’t need to suffer like this.
I’m talking about Machael, that is, not that poor, bulldog.
August 24th, 2007 at 8:58 pm
Hey, anyone here can sign up or log onto YouTube for WWII Hangings, or most anything else.
Or, how ’bout what’s been going on in the Middle East with real, live human beings?
It’s a lot more safe here, on Art’s site, isn’t it?
August 24th, 2007 at 8:58 pm
Yeah, I’ll pray for Vick. I’ll pray that someone will do to his face exactly what someone did to that dog’s face in this picture. That was horrible! Maybe if that happens, then people will think twice before doing this to an animal. Animals depend on us to help them. We are supposed to be more intelligent, but I think most animals are alot smarter than alot of humans and are easier to live with.
I hope he and the rest of his cohorts spend more than 18 months in prison, and that he gets kicked out of football permantly.
I also hope that he would be made, as part of his punishment to attend veterinary school and work the rest of his life in an animal hospital, operating on and caring for animals that get hurt badly.
I hope he is made to have the picture of that dog hang in his prison cell and made to look at it all his waking hours.
This is so sick and sadistic. What on earth did they do to this poor dog? He looks like he was put through a meat grinder. To do this to poor defenseless animals is unforgivable.
I noticed draining tubes sticking out of that poor dogs face and head. I hope this means that he was in an animal hospital and will hopefully heal as best he can.
No prayers for you Vick, except for the one I put up at the beginning of my post. You deserve no better than you gave to those dogs.
August 24th, 2007 at 9:37 pm
Prison is too good for Michael Vick, they need to put him in a pit with 20 of his Pit Bulls and let them have their day with him.
August 24th, 2007 at 10:10 pm
ART, I ENJOYED YOUR ARTICLE ON MICHEAL VICK. I’VE JUST HEARD BITS AND PIECES,NOW I KNOW THE STORY ON HIM. I JUST DON’T UNDERSTAND WHY THESE ATHELES THAT ARE MAKING SO MUCH MUCH TAKE RISK THAT RUIN THEIR PROFESSIONAL CAREARS. THAT’S JUST HORRIBLE KILLING THOSE DOGS AND THE DOGFIGHTING.
August 24th, 2007 at 10:36 pm
Art just an fyi thanks for your story,I am sure that you are sick as we are having to read this story and see the pictures, however there are some players in the NFL that need more than coaching. The whole NFL needs to do an extreme makeover.
Someone on CNN an emailer said it beautifully how long you all think it will take for Vic to find G#d and say how much he has changed his life to serve him?
That photo that you put on your website of the pitbull is tragic and painful,What is more tragic is all the young fans who look up to this man, and his lies. He lied to the commisioners face with his denials, he lied to his fans faces saying “Please wait to hear all facts before you judge me” he lied to his parents, but the worst was Vic lied to himself, and thought he almost got away with it.
I have to commend his partners in crime for implicating this poor excuse for a human being. I am sad and embarrassed for his mother because I am a mother, (the hand that rocks the cradle rules the world) wonder how she raised that son? Of course you all realize that 56 dogs will have to be put down due to this behavior that they were taught none of them can be placed with families, ever.
How do we live today in a world with promised integrity when all else fails,our children are watching and listening every single move we make.
August 24th, 2007 at 11:34 pm
Art, Thank you for this sad and appalling article. The subjects you choose say much about you. Sorry, I could not bring myself to look at the picture, but I saw too much on our local station. It never ceases to amaze me what some people will do. Then people want to talk about Anna like she was a dog. No comparison in my book. They can hang Vick by the balls for all I care. I have no sympathy for him.
August 25th, 2007 at 1:02 am
Art I wanted to thank you for this article, and plumb forgot. Also thank you for putting that picture up (also the warning). As horrible as it is, people need to see it to know exactly what was being done to these poor animals by people who should have known better.
AS the saying goes, a picture paints a thousand words.
August 25th, 2007 at 1:23 am
I just took a look at the picture and i felt compelled to post here. As a dog/cats owner myself, that photo jolted me. Someone needs to address this in the black and hispanic community. This ‘sick’ sport is considered ‘normal’ in many of those areas. Many children (like Vick) grow up seeing this and think of it as no-big-deal. I am hoping and praying that this case (along w/ scenes from ‘Animal Planet’) might be a wakeup call to ppl everywhere. Like it or not, humans are caretakers of this planet(that includes God’s creatures). My plea is not to ‘put’ these dogs down but to find them a new pit bull sanctuary somewhere.
Hey Art,
Saw your dog on HGTV. How is your dog and garage doing?
August 25th, 2007 at 10:34 am
Since when did dog fighting become part of the culture of the “African-American community”? At least that is my understanding of the support Vick is getting from fellow athletes. They find it odd that the majority (meaning white Americans) are judging Vick and making him out to be a monster when this is a part of their culture like cock fighting is a part of latino culture(??????).
If you really need to have a cultural identity, would animal cruelty be the symbol you would most like to be identified with? Or gang or cult activity or terrorism or extremism or…..
The Mayans and now different regions of indigenous in Central America wear different patterned textiles that they hand weave. How inspiring! A nonviolent, visual way to identify your affiliation to a people and way of life and culture.
But, again, we are racist and making this a race issue and we can’t stand to see the black man get ahead and be successful. PLEASE! Give all of us a break! This statement is so tired and used it no longer means anything since minorities have opportunities and hands-up that are not offered to caucasians.
When a respected athlete, representing a sport and making millions of dollars, feels above the law by engaging in illegal activity with no fear of reprisal and then calls it a part of his culture, it is time to start calling things the way we see them! The Hell with political correctness!
I’m tired of the liberal excuses made for prisoners or murderers on death row (“… their horrible childhoods… their teenage mothers…. the lead paint….”) I’m sick to death of excuses by big murder city mayors as to why the police can’t do their jobs (“… the state doesn’t give us enough support… there is a process…. we can’t hold the shooter… it’s the guns, not the people using them… )I’ve had enough of that overinflated Ted Kennedy and his “No Child Left Behind” that is leaving every American child in public school with a deficit in their education because teachers are teaching to tests and not fundamentals. I’m tired of wishy-washy teachers punishing the whole class for one disruptive student’s outbursts because we don’t want to destroy the self-esteem of that student! GIVE ME A BREAK! The character of this whole country has become flawed because of this kind of thinking. No one is supposed to have hurt feelings and no one is supposed to know the truth about their flaws or correct their mistakes! We’re supposed to forgive and forget…
(Sorry, Art, but I seemed to have tapped into a streak of anger this morning…;) )
August 25th, 2007 at 10:38 am
Gidget for once we agree wholeheartly.Vick deserves just what he gave those dogs.Someone who would do what he helped to do an helpless animal might do the same to people and susieg I also could not loo I had seen enough on the news and it said yhey could not save most of the animals because of their training.
August 25th, 2007 at 11:29 am
My prayer for you Vick is that one day you will have to feel the pain you put these dogs though. How could you do something so sick and live with yourself. Oh I know you have to much money and not enough brains. Have you never wonder why these FOOLS make millions of dollars just to play a game when our policeman our firefighters the people that put their lives on the line for us don’t make shit.If he ever plays football again I for one will never watch any NFL game again
August 25th, 2007 at 11:36 am
You go Kim your words are so ture and it’s about time someone had the guts to say it
August 25th, 2007 at 11:45 am
Kim you need to send what you just wrote to every site that supports Vick and also to the NFL so they can read what most of us feel like. What you wrote was great !!!!
August 25th, 2007 at 1:35 pm
Dear Art,
Seems a lot of comments here reflect hate…NO COMPASSION…NO UNDERSTANDING.
Vick obviously didn’t have COMPASSION, or SYMPATHY, or UNDERSTANDING either.
Hopefully he will learn that, but I sure don’t think he’s going to learn that in prison.
August 25th, 2007 at 2:38 pm
So, is Vick evil, not capable of learning reason?
Are we so doubtful, and hopeless, that no one cares for him, and would only like to see him pay.
Maybe some would even like to see him tortured or hanged…just like what he did to those dogs.
August 25th, 2007 at 3:19 pm
‘God’ is ‘Dog,’ spelled backwards.
August 25th, 2007 at 4:10 pm
Darn it, Art,
I missed Zipper on HGTV?
Hey, all of you bloggers, what about that war in Iraq?
They are ‘bullheaded’ over there blowing each other up and fighting.
The war arena, and we are being distracted by the media.
Don’t you all know this is happening to humans?
I’m getting so sick and tired of this, yet I keep on blogging…
Wake Up People!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
August 25th, 2007 at 4:25 pm
I looked…..they should put him under the jail.
What a horrible, horrible life those pitiful creatures must have. Killing them was probably the most merciful thing they did, even if it wasn’t done for humane reasons. I just don’t understand how people can be so cruel.
August 25th, 2007 at 5:49 pm
Kim #11, well said, what a powerful statement.
August 25th, 2007 at 8:42 pm
Freida,
YOU wake up and go tell that idot president of ours about all our men and women he has been sending to Iraq for years to fight in a war we should never have been in to begin with. That war was never about fighting terrorists. It was a personal vendetta of Bush’s against Hussein. Hussein was against terrorists himself. Yes, it was terrible what all he did, but we had no right going over there and when it’s all over, they are going to revert back to the way they were before we ever started this mess.
He was advised against that war and from all our allys, but Bush was the “bullhead” and went ahead anyway. Bush doesn’t care one bit about our troops, only whatever Bush wants.
August 25th, 2007 at 9:39 pm
No Freida I don’t care one little bit about that 22 million dollar football player. What I care about are those poor dogs. And what would you do to him ( slap his little hand ) Did you look at that picture Art put up. If you did and you still feel that poor Vick is getting pick on. Then I guess your the one that needs to wake up
August 26th, 2007 at 12:44 am
joni,
Think for a minute…
Maybe our government knows something you don’t know.
Maybe they know more than ‘we’ know.
Remember we went to war in Afghanistan first.
Love Always,
Freida
Dear Kathie,
Two wrongs don’t make a right.
August 26th, 2007 at 7:10 am
Dear joni and Kathie,
I think Vick will learn what he did what wrong, I just hopeful.
Also, I support our Troops by supporting their Commander In Chief.
Did you see “Saving Private Ryan?”
It still happens, and this will break your heart…
http://enews.earthlink.net/article/nat?guid=20070825/46cfa940_3421_1334520070825-1657630365
August 26th, 2007 at 7:11 am
I’m just hopeful, I just hope!!!
August 26th, 2007 at 7:12 am
Maybe I just start over, LOL…
I think Vick will learn what he did WAS wrong, and I am just hopeful.
August 26th, 2007 at 7:18 am
Dear Art,
Do you ever have days when you just can’t type?
Maybe I SHOULD just start all over…
If I could just convince you to delete all of my comments, pretty please???
I do enjoy your integrity, in reporting the ‘news.’
Love Always,
Freida
August 26th, 2007 at 7:30 pm
Dear God, Where are the ears on that dog? Have they been bitten off? I am a dog lover and had three pit bulls for twelve years. All different personalities but the very best dogs that I have ever owned. They were loved, babied and cared for. Anyone who would do this to an animal needs to go to jail for the maximum. I wonder if the Judge has seen this photo. If he hasn’t, he should be shown it. Those worthless … need to pay both monetarily and with prison time. Michael Vick and Peace and all his worthless friends . This man is totally and completely worthless and cannot be rehabilitated. Anyone who has been RAISED to think this type of treatment of an animal is acceptable should have his whole family locked up. Again, Dear God, how HORRIBLE!
August 26th, 2007 at 7:49 pm
Art, Thanks for great reporting. Stay tought with Nancy Grace.
That picture was something else. If he ever plays football, anyone going to see him play should be put in prison. JEB
August 26th, 2007 at 9:59 pm
Freida, You know I love you girl. And I to support our Troops. I pray for them everyday and I hope they COME HOME SOON
August 27th, 2007 at 1:57 am
What do you mean that my comment is awaiting moderation? There is nothing moderate about this situation! I’m a trial lawyer with 31 years experience and I’ve seen a lot of things in my day…..but this is one of the worst that I’ve seen done to animals. I stand by my comments and am sorry that you feel that they are too strong. I guarantee you that he needed to plead. There is no jury in existence….or could have been picked…. that would have let him off the hook….and the NAACP and the Southern Christian Fellowship coming out in his defense. What a joke. There is no defense….none whatsoever and he needs to receive the maximum. If he never plays football again. Too bad. He’s a disgusting, indecent, rotten human being and a disgrace to society. Maybe he should go and fight in Iraq…..on the front lines….do something worthwhile with his life. Let the “insurgents” get a hold on him…..a litle beheading never hurt anyone like him and that is what he deserves.
August 27th, 2007 at 1:27 pm
#22, Joni,
You’re the woman! Ditto.
August 27th, 2007 at 7:18 pm
Dear Joni,
Visit this site and listen to the words…
They will inspire you…
http://www.katebush.com/flashindex.html
August 27th, 2007 at 7:26 pm
Better yet, if you could just open your windows.
But, maybe many can’t, living inside penthouses and condemmed-mediums…I mean condom-idums…I mean condo’s…
LOL.
Just listen to those birds singing outside!!!
August 27th, 2007 at 7:27 pm
idioms…LOL
August 28th, 2007 at 11:03 am
Freida,
I do have my doors and windows open in my very modest home. I for one don’t live in a condo or penthouse, but what is your point anyway?
EJ,
Thanks and it’s good to see you. I’ve missed you for the last few days.
August 28th, 2007 at 11:24 am
joni Says:
August 25th, 2007 at 8:42 pm
Freida,
YOU wake up and go tell that idot president of ours about all our men and women he has been sending to Iraq for years to fight in a war we should never have been in to begin with. That war was never about fighting terrorists. It was a personal vendetta of Bush’s against Hussein. Hussein was against terrorists himself. Yes, it was terrible what all he did, but we had no right going over there and when it’s all over, they are going to revert back to the way they were before we ever started this mess.
He was advised against that war and from all our allys, but Bush was the “bullhead” and went ahead anyway. Bush doesn’t care one bit about our troops, only whatever Bush wants.
___________________
Dear Joni,
I Pray to God that You are Wrong!!!
August 28th, 2007 at 9:34 pm
Dear Art,
I think Vick should spend some time with Cesar Millan.
He ‘rehabilitates’ humans, doesn’t he?
Love Always,
Freida
August 29th, 2007 at 9:59 pm
Janice,
Every one has to wait moderation.
August 30th, 2007 at 1:54 am
Ive heard Vic speak publicly about the dog fights. His main concern was letting people know he didn’t bet. That shows more than anything else that he still doesn’t get it. Who cares if he bet. Your right when you say using cultures to excuse their behaviour is getting very tired.
Itv not been able to look at the photo. People that raise fighting dogs, crop their ears to protect them during the fights.
I have seen what happens on farms, that is totally different
that fills your belly in the winter.