I just heard on WGST that according to Billy Martin Vick’s attorney, Vick has agreed to a plea deal with the US Attorney. Vick will appear in court on August 27 and admit his role in the affair.
UPDATE: From AFP:
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,” Martin’s statement said.
“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 apologizes again to everyone who has been hurt by this matter.”
A grand jury was hearing evidence Monday on more possible charges that could have been filed against Vick, including racketeering gambling charges that would have greatly raised the stakes and possible prison term Vick might face.
The agreement also brings into question Vick’s National Football League future. Vick had been banned from the Falcons’ training camp by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell until his role in the scheme was more fully explained.
Goodell was expected to inform Vick about any possible banishment because of the guilty plea later on Monday, according to reports.
{ 46 comments }
Chris Farris 08.20.07 at 2:33 pm
I still hope the dumb jock gets the death penalty.
Rick Day 08.20.07 at 2:50 pm
I hope your pet dies, Chris.
with equal animosity and illogic,
RD
ugavi 08.20.07 at 2:56 pm
Hope this means that the Falcons can dump him, and free up salary cap $$$$
debbie0040 08.20.07 at 3:05 pm
Vick deserves jail time and anyone that attends dog fights deserves jail time.
I think justice would be for Vick to be put in a pen full of dogs he trained to fight and let them fight until the death…..
I hope the NFL bans Vick for life. Maybe he can get a job selling Valtrex when he is released from prison…
drjay 08.20.07 at 3:08 pm
this is all for something he did to DOGS right–not people but dogs–yes it was cruel and yes our society treats its pets different than its food–but these were dogs–right???
ugavi 08.20.07 at 3:10 pm
http://www.wsbtv.com/news/13891260/detail.html?rss=atl&psp=news
LoyaltyIsMyHonor 08.20.07 at 3:16 pm
Yes drjay. And it’s actually legal to train people to fight each other: Boxing, Ultimate Fighting, etc. It’s also legal in every country to train people to KILL each other, military. So why not dogs….or Panda Bears?
LoyaltyIsMyHonor 08.20.07 at 3:17 pm
…or squirrels?
LoyaltyIsMyHonor 08.20.07 at 3:19 pm
Rabbits? with long pointy teeth.
drjay 08.20.07 at 3:21 pm
people aside–maybe not panda bears–but there is actually an asian tradition of cricket fighting–there is bullfighting in spain-that is to the death-there is actually a thing called cow fighting but its apparently pretty lame–i believe cockfighting was just, finally, made illegal in all 50 states.
LoyaltyIsMyHonor 08.20.07 at 3:26 pm
Cock Fighting? Ouch, sounds painful.
But seriously, Cricket fighting?
drjay 08.20.07 at 3:31 pm
LoyaltyIsMyHonor // Aug 20, 2007 at 3:26 pm
Cock Fighting? Ouch, sounds painful.
i guess it all depends.
and yes, seriously, cricket fighting–and in some cultures its o.k. to eat dogs–lpga golfer se ri pak’s father used to take her to dogs fights when she was a jr. golfer as part of her “training regimen” to teach tenacity and mental toughness
richardr 08.20.07 at 3:32 pm
Training and forcing animals to fight for money or entertainment is barbaric. In other cultures it may not seem so and I am not going to critisize them. The thing is this is the USA and for the most part it is barbaric.
Now I don’t want Vick to die for this but jail would be good as would banning him from NFL for the gambling
debbie0040 08.20.07 at 3:33 pm
Humans can make a conscience choice about fighting. The dogs Vick brutalized did not have that choice.
Many serial killers and murderers start off abusing animals.
drjay 08.20.07 at 3:35 pm
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/08/16/cricket_fighting_ring/
i do not disagree that animal fighting is unseemly–and the nfl ban for gambling is probably the most relevant idea in this discussion–but-in light of the general info i presented about animal fighing (and hunting and eating) the idea of long jail sentences and calling for vick’s death is a little extreme when taken in context–thats all
EAVDad 08.20.07 at 3:36 pm
I wouldn’t put Vick on the “Serial Killer” track. Dogfighting is very popular in a lot of areas as sport.
If what I hear is correct — 12-18 months — I think that’s appropriate given what he did. The punishment for him is much greater of course: His NFL career is over. Millions of dollars will never be paid to him. He’ll be an O.J. like pariah for the rest of his life.
He’s a freakshow now. He’s Mike Tyson. Too bad, but it’s his own damn fault!
LoyaltyIsMyHonor 08.20.07 at 3:43 pm
drjay, thanks for the cricket fighting link, I appreciated the laugh.
And I forgot about hunting…talk about barbaric. Oh wait, it’s a constitutional right you say? We’re doing them a favor by preventing over-population? Nevermind.
Nicki 08.20.07 at 3:47 pm
Vick’s career isn’t anywhere near over. Most likely he’ll do his time and move on, back to his massive contract and all that goes with it.
ChuckEaton 08.20.07 at 3:54 pm
I see a real-life “The Longest Yard” in the making. Hopefully it will be like the Burt Reynolds version and not the Adam Sandler re-make.
Rpolitic 08.20.07 at 3:58 pm
If he comes back Nicki there won’t be a place for him to go where he won’t see puppies thrown on the field.
And don’t forget he has a gambling allegation that can make his career crash further that he still has to face up to. Not to mention his long list of thug behavior.
If this were the NBA then he might have a chance of a comeback.
Rpolitic 08.20.07 at 4:02 pm
Oh and here is the other shoe I expect should drop any day, some girlfriend will accuse M. “Ron Mexico” Vick with abuse. They go hand in hand.
Carpe Forem 08.20.07 at 4:03 pm
The cricket fighting story was good. But, the related stories were better:
Related stories
Inside the mind of the gay sheep
Mice grow monkey sperm
Alphabetical zoo killer terrorises Brazil
Icarus 08.20.07 at 4:05 pm
Mike Vick starts for the Oakland Raiders in 2009.
Let’s not forget that Ray Lewis was superbowl MVP after his buckhead “incident”.
Romegaguy 08.20.07 at 4:12 pm
Last Friday when the other 2 co-defendants made their plea the Judge said for them to expect longer than normal sentences. What do you think he will say to Vick? And then he also has an upcoming indictment from the Commonwealth of Virginia at the end of September. I would bet Vick gets sentenced (between fed and state) a total of 7 years. He will do probably 3-4 years and the rest on probation.
Doug Deal 08.20.07 at 4:19 pm
Animal fighting is something whose appeal is lost on me, but how it is much different than the way chickens are treated, veal calves, rats or cockroaches. It seems to come down to the degree of cuteness the animal has, I suppose.
Anyway, I heard that UGA is going to fire Richt and hire Michael Vic as the head coach. Someone has to teach them dawgs how to fight.
In the loop 08.20.07 at 4:24 pm
Now panda fighting … there’s something I’d pay to see.
Doug Deal 08.20.07 at 4:28 pm
InTheLoop,
I once wondered how a all animal free-for-all tournament would turn out. I.e. put all animals in a huge tournament where they face off against another animal, with the survivor’s species advancing to the next round.
My money would be on the rhino. Man would be low on the list unless he could use some tools, like a good solid club, then I would give him an equal seed to a wolf or maybe as high as a leopard.
ugavi 08.20.07 at 4:40 pm
Blank weighs in
http://www.wsbtv.com/news/13932855/detail.html?rss=atl&psp=news
andishehnouraee 08.20.07 at 4:40 pm
Vick was framed. Those dogs knew what they were doing.
debbie0040 08.20.07 at 5:00 pm
This story is a tragedy. Michael Vick was on top of the world and he blew it.
Vick thought no one would care if he killed and abused dogs. After all, he was a sports star and in America, we revere and cherish our sports stars.
What Vick did not count on is the fact that in America we cherish humble “man’s best friend” more than we cherish an arrogant, egotistical sports star.
America did care.
I saw where people were sending their Vick jerseys to the Atlanta Humane Society to use to clean our the kennels.
I hope the Georgia Legislature will pass a strong bill that will make dog fighting a felony. They also need to pass a bill that makes attending a dog fight a crime .
rugby_fan 08.20.07 at 5:18 pm
Why were you using Agence French Presse for your source?
CHelf 08.20.07 at 5:25 pm
The difference between Lewis and Vick is that Vick assured his boss, Blank, and the NFL Commish that this was nothing at all. You don’t lie to the owner of a team and the head of the league that’s your bread and butter on something of this serious nature. The fact he lied to his fans, his boss, and the head of the league speaks volumes about his credibility.
Yes, he’s damaged goods. He abused and killed dogs and he gambled on them as if this were a sport. He had the issue with flipping off fans, the airport incident, and the Ron Mexico incident. The guy has serious issues. If anyone in the NFL wants to risk that for him coming back in 2 years and maybe being close to his old form, they’ll be taking a HUGE risk.
The issue now facing the league is that owners and GM’s will be heavily scrutinizing draftees even more carefully from now on. I think people have seen enough Vicks, Tank Johnsons, and Pacmans to last a lifetime.
LoyaltyIsMyHonor 08.20.07 at 5:25 pm
Doug Deal // Aug 20, 2007 at 4:28 pm
InTheLoop,
I once wondered how a all animal free-for-all tournament would turn out. I.e. put all animals in a huge tournament where they face off against another animal, with the survivor
Doug Deal 08.20.07 at 5:31 pm
(The Secret of) LIMH,
Don’t think that I haven’t thought about it. Each animal could have it’s own special ability as well as strengths and weaknesses. An elephant could be strong but not so manueverable, while a squirrel could be quick, agile and hard to catch.
Now, who wants to write it for me, market it, and give me the profits?
LoyaltyIsMyHonor 08.20.07 at 5:39 pm
I’m telling you, that’s an awesome idea.
buzzbrockway 08.20.07 at 5:56 pm
rugby,
I clicked on the link at Drudge, it took me to Breitbart and the Breitbart story was from AFP.
Buzz
rugby_fan 08.20.07 at 6:01 pm
I guess it makes sense…Vick surrendered, the French can only surrender…I take it back, you are excused.
Oh, and don’t forget:
http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/falcons/stories/2007/08/19/shockley_0820.html
Who wants to take a bet; the Falcons win fewer than five games.
gatormathis 08.20.07 at 6:26 pm
Vick’s biggest problem????????
Actually he has now went from a multi-million dollar, multi-year contract……..
…..to basically………….. salaried labor.
In other words, people won’t be able to put faith in what he “will” do……………instead opting for an “hourly” rate if you will.
In other words, his pay will be per game, per episode, per whatever task completed, times the amount he is compensated, times how many tasks he completes, before his next infraction.
Just another simple algebraic equation….
……..and liscense plate stamping ain’t that big a pay.
Mike-El 08.20.07 at 6:54 pm
Nicki is right. The NFL PR machine’s preferred ending for this tale is not, “Vick withers away in jail…Dies in a ditch.” The league expects him to do his time, come back and beg for forgiveness, and then redeem himself on the field. And they’ll move heaven and earth to ensure that’s how it unfolds.
David 08.20.07 at 8:57 pm
Let’s hope someone didn’t slip a copy of “Deliverance” into Vick’s DVD player. There will be some good ol’ boy inmates who won’t take kindly to his abuse of dogs. Couldn’t have happened to a more sick piece of human debris.
Rick Day 08.20.07 at 11:10 pm
Got some rape fantasies you would like to share with the audience, Dave?
My take, is of course, here are four men who appen to be the most common ethnicity in prison, who would have never been caught if not for the war on drugs.
Remember where this all started? A small time weed bust.
Sheesh. The children are safe! Another rare ‘black role model’ disgraced.
I know…its a reach….
Bill Simon 08.21.07 at 12:39 am
CHelf,
All those folks you mention are black Americans. They need to be protected from the White Man Rules and Laws!
No black American is ever guilty of any crime as a reult of any of the White Honkey laws made in America.
CHelf, you need to hook-up with Rick Day (and his cousin, Otis Day) and see if y’all can’t hustle-up a song for the brothas and sistas to get together and SING in defense of the falsely accused Michael Vick and all his fellow “criminals” who were made criminals as a result of violating some made-up Honkey Laws!
Save Michael Vick! Save Michael Vick, y’all! Can I get a “A-MEN?”
Bill Simon 08.21.07 at 12:40 am
Rick,
Were one of those guys who shoved M-80s up the rears of stray dogs and lit them? C’mon, be honest here.
debbie0040 08.21.07 at 7:31 am
David, you are right and Vick deserves it.
I think we should all send Vick a care package of Vaseline to take to prison with him
JB6317 08.25.07 at 9:18 am
Hey Mike get use to walkin around with nothing on with your jock on, that back door greased up….gets a large supply of vaseline. What a idiot losing millions on foolishness,friends. Hope other athletes look and learned from Vick stupidity. Allen Iverson was the pre Vick and Mike learned nothing from his Virginia buddy A.I
JB6317 08.25.07 at 9:21 am
Vick will get lots of action in prison he will play CENTER-while others play quarterback. He will then take on the new position as tight end……….by the time he gets out he will be called loose end………………………
Comments on this entry are closed.