NFL suspends 'reprehensible' Vick indefinitely

[IDemo]

Source: MSNBC News Services


Updated: 3 minutes ago

NEW YORK - NFL has suspended Michael Vick indefinitely.

The announcement came hours after the Atlanta quarterback filed a plea agreement in federal court in Richmond, Virginia. In that plea, Vick admitted to the charge of dogfighting. He denied ever betting on the fights.

In a letter sent to the Falcons quarterback, league commissioner Roger Goodell wrote, "Your admitted conduct was not only illegal, but also cruel and reprehensible. Your team, the NFL, and NFL fans have all been hurt by your actions."

Read more: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20429109/

[MichaelHarris]

1. Here's the deal

Why fight the dogs if you're not going to bet on them? Not only is he a dickhead, he's also a liar. He denied the betting charges just so the NFL wouldn't "Pete Rose" him. I hope the only jock strap Michael Vick gets to smell again is in prison.

[idgiehkt]

18. Amen

that part of it is driving me nuts. Withoug gambling there would be no fights and if his dogs never won he wouldn't bother. He probably made tens if not hundreds of thousands on these fights. I wonder how long he's been operating this kennel? I wonder if it's still considered "perjury" if you plea out...

[Deja Q]

2. *sighs* Oh well. That's the way the doggie bites.

Oops, sorry. I meant, that's the way the cookie crumbles.

:hide:

[azmesa207]

3. Vick suspended

indefinitely or until he get out of prison much as i regret saying this they will fold and let this jerk back in .

[MrSlayer]

4. They should just man up and ban him forever.

Screw this "indefinite" bullshit. He's a liar and a scumbag animal torturer, there is no place for him in pro ball or in civilized society. Hopefully he'll get a stiff enough prison term where the suspension becomes an effective ban.

[neuvocat]

5. This is usually the final step before doing just that.

The guy's a pariah and the NFL wasn't about to give him the option of signing on with another team. Let's face it, anyone that makes Ryan Leaf look good isn't worth it.

[superconnected]

6. I'm so glad. This sends a message out there that this IS reprehensible.

And not just to animal lovers like myself.

I was worried his fans and the NFL would support him.

Look what Bush and Michael Jackson fans will tolerate/overlook because they heroize those two.

[MessiahRp]

7. Man do the Chargers look great now...

They got Drew Brees AND LaDainian Tomlinson out of this fool.

Rp

[Amerigo Vespucci]

8. Access Hollywood: "Jamie Foxx Defends NFL Star Michael Vick Over Dog Fighting Charges"

http://www.accesshollywood.com/news/ah6563.shtml

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (August 23, 2007) – Access Hollywood’s Shaun Robinson recently sat down with Jamie Foxx for a candid talk about Jamie’s new gig – and even a hot button topic from the world of sports – Michael Vick’s dog fighting charges.

Jamie is busy doing his thing on “The Foxxhole,” his weekly show on Sirius Satellite Radio show. And while an incredible LG Beach House in Malibu provides a spectacular summer backdrop, no subject is off-limits with Jamie, as Shaun found out during her stay as a special guest. “Is he really going to jail?” Jamie asked Shaun about Michael Vick. “Yes, he’s going to plea bargain,” Shaun said.

Although Vick has been almost universally condemned since agreeing to plead guilty to dog fighting conspiracy, according to Foxx, people should not be so quick to judge the NFL star.

“It’s a cultural thing, I think,” Jamie said. “Most brothers didn’t know that, you know. I used to see dogs fighting in the neighborhood all the time. I didn’t know that was Fed time. So, mike probably just didn’t read his handbook on what not to do as a black star.”

[awoke_in_2003]

9. I don't know what make me sicker

the dog fighting or the people who defend Vick.

[emilyg]

11. Both.

[Evergreen Emerald]

14. I don't understand that comment

"what not to do as a black star." Is he saying that he should not be held accountable cause everyone in his neighborhoods did it and he did not know any better? Is he suggesting there is a different standard for "black stars?" I don't understand that comment.

[idgiehkt]

20. gambling violates his NFL contract and he damn well knew that

dog-fighting is a gambling operation. Cry me a river, Vick and all your defenders.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

28. That excuse won't fly with me

It's like a rural redneck here saying they grew up with dog fighting and didn't know it was wrong because they didn't read the handbook of what not to do as a redneck.

Ya, right they didn't know. Then tell me why was it hid in your uncle Eddie's barn in the middle of nowhere? And why was there always someone watching out for the cops up near the turn off to the house with a 2-way radio so councilman Williams could slip out the back in time if the cops did showed up?

[bluestateguy]

16. Oh yes, we need to respect different cultures in our multi-cultural society

All cultures are special and deserve to be treated equally.

Genital mutilation is just part of a different culture.

So is making women wear burkas.

Please.

:puke:
I just had my dinner.

[IndianaGreen]

17. Owning slaves and making them pick cotton is also part of America's culture

Calling women "Ho" and "Bitches" is also part of the culture.

And speaking of my Latina roots, cockfighting and bullfighting is part of the culture and must be preserved.

Excuse me while I go to the bathroom to puke my guts out!

[idgiehkt]

19. lol he lied right to Goodell's face

"On April 28th Vick met with Goodell and assured him he had no role in the dogfighting that took place on his property. We now know from Peace and Phillips' agreed statements of fact that earlier that same month, Vick was personally involved with hanging and drowning eight dogs.

Even assuming that Goodell is able to put aside the personal affront of having one of the NFL's biggest stars lie egregiously to his face, he will still want to make clear to all NFL players that those who lie to the commissioner and those investigating wrong-doing will receive an additional penalty."

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/7140060

he also violated the terms of his NFL contract. Someone needs to tell Foxx that dog-fighting is a felonly for all Americans, not just black stars.

Goodell said "even if you did not place bets, as you contend, 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... one of the most fundamental responsibilities of an NFL player."

http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/7153182

(sorry for all the fox links they just have alot of articles linked on the same page and I read them all)

[bluestateguy]

10. Vick's new job

http://www.theage.com.au/ffximage/2004/06/26/mcdonalds,0.jpg

[idgiehkt]

22. he'll never have to work again

"I wrote last month that Vick's big money — $29.5 million — in his last contract was in the form of roster bonuses. It's going to be tough to get that money back because he fulfilled the obligations of those clauses by being on the roster in 2004, 2005 and 2006 when the bulk of that money was paid.

I simply can't feel sorry for Vick.

When examining his first contract, when he was the first player selected in the 2001 draft, Vick was paid $17.9 million during his first three seasons. On his next contract, signed in 2004, he earned another $48.5 million through last season for a grand total of $66.4 million paid by the Falcons since he entered the league. That amount doesn't account for whatever endorsement and appearance deals he received because of his NFL status.

You and I and most other people should be able to live happily on that without playing or watching another down of football."
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/7153182

[LiberalFighter]

26. Careful now.. do you really want eat at a place he flips burgers?

Not knowing he might still be dog fighting? Where do you think he would dispose of dog remains or for that matter any animal that he gets tired of?

[Spinzonner]

12. Glad to hear about the NFL's respect for animal welfare

Now, about those Pigskins ...

(yes, I know, it's really cowhide)

[BadgerLaw2010]

13. Ha, nice work on the weasel language Vick.

That was fast. Someone sounds a little pissed off.

[bluestateguy]

15. Oh just watch

I don't like the sound of this "indefinite suspension". It seems to give the NFl wiggle room to capitulate.

After he serves his sentence, he'll probably come back all teary eyed, and rambling about his "redemption", and will then mount a PR campaign--probably backed by some as of yet un-named self-promoter--to get reinstated. There will be pastors, race card playing and a lot of demagogy. The fight to keep him out of football is not over yet.

[idgiehkt]

21. How long is a quarterback good for?

Honest question I am completely ignorant about this...His contract which was signed a couple of years ago is good for ten years; do they really expect him to be in top form for that long? I just read today that he could possibly get up to 5 years, as little as a year...if he gets the max will he still be worth looking at?

[rollin74]

23. not to mention...

Vick is still facing up to 40 years of state time in Virginia

[BootinUp]

24. who cares?

Just another idiot jock.

[opihimoimoi]

25. another jock who will lose over 1/2 BILLION $$$$ over the coming years

Who cares? Not me...

[FreeStateDemocrat]

27. Good PR business decision, NFL, Inc. is all about money & will let Vick play when it's profitable.

[underpants]

29. I agree-Rule #1 that Rozelle established was NO GAMBLING

He knew that you couldn't have even the hint of gambling associated witht he league. Ask Karras and Hornung and Namath about the zero tolerance rule.