[bullylover4ever]

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slu...v=st&type=lgns
Michael Vick reinstated by NFL



By BARRY WILNER AP Football Writer
NEW YORK(AP)—Michael Vick(notes) is back in the NFL. Now all he needs is a team to play for.
Vick, free after serving 18 months in prison for running a dogfighting ring, was reinstated with conditions by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on Monday. He could participate in regular-season games as early as October.
Vick can immediately take part 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.
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) at the latest.

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Goodell suspended Vick indefinitely in August 2007 after the former Atlanta Falcons quarterback admitted bankrolling a dogfighting operation on his property in Virginia. At the time, Goodell said Vick must show remorse 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 said in his letter to Vick. “I am prepared to offer you that opportunity. Whether you succeed is entirely in your hands.”
“Needless to say, your margin for error is extremely limited,” the letter said. “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 said he spoke to numerous current and former players and coaches as he weighed his decision and that the responses were “very mixed.”
“I do recognize that some will never forgive him for what he did,” Goodell said. “I hope that the public will have a chance to understand his position as I have.”
Vick, once the highest-paid player in the league, said he was grateful for a second chance.
“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 in a statement released by his 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,” he said.
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 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, with Goodell at a security firm in Allendale, N.J.
Goodell said Vick agreed to undergo psychiatric testing, which determined that he was capable of returning to the NFL but needed continuing counseling.
He said keeping Vick from playing at the start of the regular season wasn’t a form of punishment, but a chance for the quarterback to gradually transition back into the league.
“I have thought about every alternative, but I think this gives him the best chance for success,” Goodell said. “We are not looking for failure here. We are looking to see a young man succeed.”
But Vick’s issues are far from over and he needs a team to call his own. So far, the owners of the New York Giants, Jets and Dallas Cowboys have said they had no interest in the 29-year-old quarterback. Neither do the Falcons, who officially released Vick in June.
Vick 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 Newport News, 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 the dogfighting ring were publicized.
Vick 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., prompted large groups of protesters to gather outside. Many were with PETA and held signs depicting photographs of pit bulls ravaged in dogfights.
Still, there were supporters who wore his No. 7 jersey.
Vick has already taken steps to rebuild his image.
He met with the president of the Humane Society of the United States while serving his federal sentence 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.
Ed Sayres, president of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, said the organization hopes Vick “rises to the occasion and proves worthy of the rare second chance Commissioner Goodell has granted him.”
“Opportunities for redemption are rare - but that is exactly the opportunity that awaits Mr. Vick,” he said. —-=
AP Sports Writers Hank Kurz in Richmond, Va., and Rachel Cohen in New York contributed to this story.


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Discuss

[mandreweav]

surely someone will pick him up. id like to see him get another shot. everyone deserves a second chance in life. Lord knows Ive had one.

[jimmyjames]

id like to see him hit by a truck. and then another truck.

[Jelet]

[samuel64]

I've talked to people about this and some say he paid his debt to society and should be given a second chance and others who say he wasn't punished enough for what he did. I think he should of been kept in jail longer and have to fight for his life on a daily basis. What a terrible thing he did to some of those dogs is unforgiveable! I hope no teams pick him up and he just disappears.

[mandreweav]

Originally Posted by samuel64 I've talked to people about this and some say he paid his debt to society and should be given a second chance and others who say he wasn't punished enough for what he did. I think he should of been kept in jail longer and have to fight for his life on a daily basis. What a terrible thing he did to some of those dogs is unforgiveable! I hope no teams pick him up and he just disappears.

Stars and athletes have done worse crimes and have done little to no time. Mike Tyson-Rape alot of people still love the guy got out after 2 years. OJ Simpson beat a murder rap. There are plenty of more examples I just cant think of any right now. Whats he supposed to do Say nope, throw me back in jail I havent truley paid my debt to society? I think just about every crime is forgiveable except molesting children and killing for no good reason and even treason. At least Vick copped to his part in the whole fiasco and served his time. Hes apologized so let him move on with his life.

[jimmyjames]

oh, he apologized? that changes everything. a bullet would be to good for him.

[LittleMissE]

I am 100% fine with Michael Vick being reinstated. I don't agree with what he did but it had nothing to do with the NFL or his "job" and like already stated some athletes have done worse things. He did the crime he paid sometime now let him go back to his life like we do with "normal" people if he messes up again then worry about it until then....let him play.

[skinny]

I think he should get another chance...........They let sex offenders get another chance which disgusts me more than anything he paid his debt let him move on with his life

[joshelkins23wv]

Originally Posted by skinny I think he should get another chance...........They let sex offenders get another chance which disgusts me more than anything he paid his debt let him move on with his life

i agree

[Michele]

While I think everyone deserves a second chance after they have paid for their crimes, I honestly feel that Michael Vick was not sincere. The only thing he's sorry for is getting caught.

[pitbullhappenings]

Originally Posted by Michele While I think everyone deserves a second chance after they have paid for their crimes, I honestly feel that Michael Vick was not sincere. The only thing he's sorry for is getting caught.

I completely agree with you...If it weren't for the other 3 guys pleading guilty first and then telling of Vick's participation, Vick would still be denying "any involvement" at all.

Someone mentioned what he did had nothing to do with the NFL...I have to disagree. When you are a Public figure, you become a role model for many people including kids. You are watched by many. If I'm correct, I believe, in the NFL contracts with the players it even mentions your actions outside of the fields, practices, games, and the NFL in general that you are "expected" to have certain behavior or whatnot.

When this all came to the surface I knew the Falcons weren't going to keep him or take back and for good reason. Their was an enormous back lash against them because of Vick. I had hoped the NFL felt the same as the Falcons but apparently I was wrong. Vick has no business in the NFL. He should be working the $10 per hour construction job.

I'm not convinced Vick is "sincerely" sorry for his actions. I'll be writing to that commissioner to inform him due to his decisions, I won't be watching nor buying anything NFL if a team picks him up or if the NFL gives him any sort of job within the NFL whether it's a janitorial job or anything. This is outragious. His NFL career should be over 100%. He deserves to work a Labor job and make the same pay as the average Joe. Heck, he hasn't been free for a week and the NFL already says, Vick it's okay, we support you and we're here for you.

[buddysmom]

Originally Posted by Michele While I think everyone deserves a second chance after they have paid for their crimes, I honestly feel that Michael Vick was not sincere. The only thing he's sorry for is getting caught.

I agree with this. You can tell by his language that he doesn't get why, what he did was so awful. It is more like "boys will be boys, but look I have grown up now."

Though I do believe the NFL pretty much had to reinstate him because it is not their job to keep punishing him.

Rather it falls to the public. I still believe any team stupid enough to pick him up will face a public relations nightmare. I don't know if one will try, but if they like having fans buy tickets to their games, they'd be wise to pass.

The public will have their say.

[Obed]

I was not a MV fan before all this came up... I never did like one man teams...

[CoolHandJean]

He isn't the worst criminal in the NFL, so, until they get rid of those worse criminals, then I say let the punk play.

[Obed]

yep, lets not confuse the NFL with sports.....

[Elizabeth]

Well now that we know he is playing the question is for who....hopefully not the Redskins.

[CoolHandJean]

BM, the people might protest at first, but if he goes to a team that has been losing a bunch, if they start winning because of him, most of the fans are going to quickly forgive him.

[kris2642]

I can't stand Michael Vick and I can't stand dogfighting, but let's be honest: a lot of other NFL players have been given second chances for far worse things. There are players who have been arrested for drugs, sexual assault, spousal abuse etc., and they're still playing so I guess it's only fair for Vick to get another shot. I won't exactly be rooting for him, but whatever.

And as far as fans turning against him, they won't care as long as he's winning games. Perfect example, Kobe Bryant.

[PitPop82]

Originally Posted by Elizabeth Well now that we know he is playing the question is for who....hopefully not the Redskins.

Lol Im a Skins fan too Elizabeth! We do need a QB, but not Vick.