A Mighty Fall

If Michael Vick's attorney was really echoing his client's true feelings today after the disgraced NFL quarterback was sentenced to 23 months in prison, then Vick will have a shot at redemption somewhere down the line.

Instead of coming out blasting at authorities today claiming persecution or that his client was the victim of a witch hunt, Vick's attorney, Billy Martin, said after the sentencing that Vick has accepted that he was wrong to finance and operate a dog-fighting ring, and has accepted his prison sentence as an appropriate penalty.

This seemed to be different than Mike Tyson claiming his innocence after being convicted of rape. This was a man, through his lawyer, apparently admitting guilt and accepting the time for doing the crime.

Now maybe, of course, Vick actually feels differently, and perhaps his lawyer is simply making sure the right things are said publicly to begin the process of rehabilitating his image so one day he might be able to return to the NFL and make millions of dollars. Moreover, the judge in this case didn't see Vick as being suitably remorseful and didn't give him a break on sentencing.

The former Atlanta Falcons quarterback has fallen so incredibly far in such a short period of time. The 2007 NFL season isn't even over, which means it was less than a calendar year ago that Vick was competing in the league and drawing an extraordinary paycheque from a 10-year, $130 million deal signed in 2004.

Eighteen months from now - the experience term he'll actually have to serve - he'll probably get a chance to try again. That means he could be free in June or July, 2009, with the chance to rejoin the NFL for the 2009 season at the age of 29. That said, league commissioner Roger Goodell, who placed Vick under indefinite suspension earlier this year, won't rule on any further discipline for Vick until he's out of jail, and could theoretically ban him for the 2009 season as well.

Imagine the impact this man could make on the game and his community if he does return and returns a changed man, if he comes back with honest intentions rather than a bitter snarl.

His fall from grace has been spectacular to watch. His rise back to the top, if he can pull it off and if its done the right way, could be equally spectacular.

Comments

[Chris Michaels]

Damien-- this is a guy who took pleasure and payment from seeing dogs tear each other apart.

This wasn't one night episode of poor judgment, this was a lifestyle.

People like this tell you what you want to hear. Their illness can be controlled, but not cured.

Let's hope the NFL paying public doesn't forget the nature of this guy's crimes.

[Sanj]

Not condoning what he did but 23 months for what he did was quite a bit. Murderers have been known to get less than what Vick got. And he should be given every opportunity to rejoin the NFL where u have players that have done a lot worse.

[chris]

Everybody does deserve a second chance to correct their past mistakes. But Michael Vick is going to have to work harder than anyone has ever worked to rehabilitate their image. Cruely harming, then destroying innocent dogs for someone's amusement isn't something that can be as forgivable to the general public as say overcoming substance abuse. For now, Vick's mea culpa should be taken at face value.

[Vincent P.F. Winnfield]

I'm sorry, this is a sports blog and all but I think a couple things today deserve mention.
First off, Damien, I think the Mike Tyson reference was completely off base. Any similarity between rape and "dogfighting" is a distant one. Through the publicity and attention surrounding this Michael Vick fiasco we've heard countless explanations for why Vick might be excused for his actions in this matter. These have ranged from societal influences in the American South to the actual value of animals in the eyes of individuals. But surely, surely rape and dog fighting have no business being compared.
Furthermore, Mike Tyson is a bit of a tool, we're certain of this. His choice of lawyer/defense speaks to the person he is, sure, but we didn't need an example like this to see that Mike Vick ain't Mike Tyson. Maybe a Mark Bell reference to show that Vick, too, is remorseful. Drunk driving and dog fighting should be seen as similarly morally reprehensible, right? Which kills more? Which gets more ad time? Which has a whole army of ribbon wearing matriarchs?
Anyway next took issues with "Their illness can be controlled but not cured", which really makes me worry. Folks, just because you had a dog doesn't mean that everyone had a dog or likes dogs or sees dogs in the same way that you do. If one more person does a story on this situation without talking about how much the average Matador makes, I'll only be saddened further.

But hey, this is a sports blog and we're talking about lawyers, dogfighting and rape when we could be talking about anything else...I'm pretty sad already.

[Rex]

Chris, This is a man who financed his own gambling ring, and forced dogs to kill each other. When they would not comply, he would kill them himself. He admitted to 8 dogs being killed at his hands, and you say that less then two years is too much?? as a Pitbull owner, I just shake my head at this. In Ontario, where there is a ban for people to have these dogs, where the police can come into your home and take your dog, and destroy it, just so people can sleep better at night...people take Mike Vicks side? People like Michael Vick are the problem, not the breed of dog. This was a judges opprotunity to set an example, and he gave him less then two years, for killing 8 animals, and financing a gambling ring. I assure you also, that if this was just a random black man, he would have gotten the maximum sentance. Celeb Justice comes through again

[Sandy Hum]

Rality check Mr. Cox!

First, his prosecution has nothing to do with financing dog-fighting rings. It has everything to do with gambling.The dog-fighting makes a compelling story, but the real intent of prosecutors was Vick's participation in gambling. The extent of it, is still under investigation, BUT, it runs very, very deep. It will have very serious implications to not just the NFL, but other major North American sports. Vick would rather take what the prosecutors charge right now, rather than face a bigger storm in the future.

Second, statistics show that people who enter prison do not come out and become the second coming of Jesus. I'm sure his publicist has already booked Vick on Oprah and Babara Walters. A few well placed stategic tears and the public will be back on his side.Unfortunately.

Mr. Cox, as a sports writer, I'm sure you see things through a Gatorade veil. Lime green, right?

[David]

First let me say I'm not a "PETA Panther" I don't think animals should be mistreated any more than I believe they should have more rights than I do. Chris says "everybody deserves a second chance" and to that I agree.
But that "chance" to be a productive member of society doesn't have to include a position in the NFL.
He blew his chance of becoming a sporting icon. When he gets out, let him be the best Insurance salesman, mechanic or chef he can be. But his chance at stardom through football should be finished. No team should welcome him back and I don't think the league should allow it. If only boxing would have had the guts to stop that convicted felony rapist Tyson from making more millions.

[matt morrison]

I'm not saying what he did was right, or wrong, but the fact is that they are only dogs, and if animal cruelty wasn't such a hot topic for discussion right now it wouldn't be such a huge deal. This situation is too political and in my mind is just a chance for the league to stand behind a cause and look like the good guy while players sit back and rake in so much money they cant even spend because their contracts have them wrapped so tightly. franchise players like Vick cant even step outside if it doesnt say they can in the contract. they sacrifice their life for their sport. while it isnt much of a sacrifice and many of us would gladly trade our wives to do so, one has to realize the commitment these players have. Vick has been doing what he did since before the NFL and he is only gettin "cought" for it now. Come on, the public cant even let Brittany Spears vagina stay ou of the papers and frown upon a girl with no underwear. Most women dont wear underwear, and why should it be public if u dont. Same with Vick, his situation became the slightest bit public and the league felt that they had to do something to hide the fact that they didnt see it before, and that they have 0 tollerance for it. To wrap up this rant, I feel that Vick as become a victim of politics and should serve his sentance because dog fighting is wrong, and then be let back in the league because the fans shouldnt be deprived of quite possibly the best QB to ever play.