GUILTY http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2983121 Vick agrees to plead guilty in dogfighting case ESPN.com news services Updated: August 20, 2007, 3:06 PM ET RICHMOND, Va. -- Michael Vick's lawyer said Monday the NFL star will plead guilty to federal dogfighting conspiracy charges, putting the Atlanta Falcons quarterback's career in jeopardy and leaving him subject to a prison term. The offense is punishable by up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine, although federal sentencing guidelines most likely would call for less. Prosecutors, who were seeking a prison term of 12 to 18 months, have yet to formally agree to the plea, a source told ESPN's Kelly Naqi. "After consulting with his family over the weekend, Michael Vick asked that I announce today that he has reached an agreement with federal prosecutors regarding the charges pending against him," lead defense attorney Billy Martin said in a statement. "Mr. Vick has agreed to enter a plea of guilty to those charges and to accept full responsibility for his actions and the mistakes he has made. Michael wishes to apologize again to everyone who has been hurt by this matter." Vick's plea hearing will be Aug. 27, Martin said. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has barred Vick from the Falcons' training camp but has withheld further action while the league conducts its own investigation. Vick is charged with conspiracy to travel in interstate commerce in aid of unlawful activities and conspiracy to sponsor a dog in an animal fighting venture. Martin's announcement came as a grand jury that could add new charges met in private. Prosecutors had said that a superseding indictment was in the works, but Vick's plea all but means he will not face additional charges. Three of Vick's original co-defendants already have pleaded guilty and agreed to testify against him if the case went to trial. Quanis Phillips of Atlanta and Purnell Peace of Virginia Beach signed statements saying Vick, 27, participated in executing at least eight underperforming dogs by various means, including drowning and hanging. Phillips, Peace and Tony Taylor, who pleaded guilty last month, also said Vick provided virtually all of the gambling and operating funds for his "Bad Newz Kennels" operation in Surry County, Va., not far from Vick's hometown of Newport News. The gambling allegations alone could trigger a lifetime ban under the NFL's personal conduct policy. Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
How exactly is he going to make any money outside of football? No one is going to want to touch him for broadcasting and I can't see him running any kind of legitimate business.
I'm not so sure. The states might go after him, but he could plea there as well and get hit with nothing more than a fine and time served in the federal pen. He gets a slap on the wrist, and the DA gets his win. Everybody is happy. In prison, he'll be a celeb and well protected. he can work out, keep in shape and might even be able to have some roids smuggled inside for him. The NFL would be foolish to right now guarantee him reinstatement when he gets free, but this is America. Our collective attention span can't be much more than five or six minutes. Eighteen months from now, PETA will have something else to crusade against, and sure..........there might be some protests, but ESPN can air a 4 part series on how prison changed Vick into a Jesus fearing, animal loving, reformed citizen. I can't wait to hear him tell us how he is now a vegetarian. Hell, I bet he'll sit in a room with a bunch of PETA activists and cry with them..........and then walk away leaving them a big fat check. It will make for great TV time, and then he'll get to play ball again.
While I think it's a long shot for him in the NFL, I would be surprised to see a CFL or Arena league team throw some money his way once he gets out
all very true. i've gone back and forth on the question of will he play in the NFL again or not. my guess is he's out at least 2 seasons. this season and a suspension for next season. but it could be more than that, for sure.
How much money u think this guy has made since he's been in the nfl? im thinking he has enough for the rest of his and his kids lives...
athletes are notorious for tearing through their money. i have no idea how much he has left. but the notion that "you make so much you can't spend it all" just isn't true.
he's made a ton, but it also appears he's a moron, so it wouldn't surprise me if he burns through it. Maybe Bad Newz Kennelz will support his post NFL life
Vick will probably make a lot more money after this incident. The entire rap community glorifies violence and criminal behavior. Doing time in prison and running an illegal pit bull fighting operation just guaranteed him a successful career in the world of rap (ain't rap great?). Then, of course, he'll build his own clothing line... eventually write a book... No... this is probably the best thing to ever happen to his career, financially.
if he plays football ever again i'll be disappointed. odell thurman didnt get re-instated after a year long suspension for getting a DUI I do believe...it would be way to ridiculous to see Vick playing for the NFL after something like this
There used to be a member of the Crips gang in Long Beach. Was in and out of prison for three years after high school for trafficking cocaine. That was Calvin Broadus Jr. But you probably know him as Snoop Dogg.
What the hell does rap have to do with this? Sounds like you're just on a crusade against it with no real interest on the story at hand.
