NFL commissioner conditionally reinstates Vick
—This is a July 20, 2009 file photo showing former Atlanta Falcon quarterback Michael Vick arriving at federal court in Norfolk, Va.
Published: July 27, 2009
NEW YORK (AP)—Michael Vick was reinstated by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on Monday and could play in regular season games as early as October. Vick can immediately participate 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.
“Needless to say, your margin for error is extremely limited,“ Goodell said in a letter to Vick. “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 suspended Vick indefinitely in August 2007 after the former Atlanta Falcons quarterback admitted bankrolling the “Bad Newz Kennels” dogfighting operation. Goodell said then that Vick must show remorse and signs that he has changed before he would consider reinstating him.
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).
Goodell called a news conference for late Monday afternoon.
“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 through 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.
“Again, I want to thank the commissioner for the chance to return to the game I love and the opportunity to become an example of positive change.“
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 early 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, he sat down with Goodell at a security firm in Allendale, N.J.
But his issues are far from over. Already, the owners of the New York Giants and New York Jets said they have no interest in the 29-year-old quarterback, who once was the league’s highest-paid player.
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Reader Reactions
phdee dee dee (from Carlos Mencia) you are not too far removed from them. LOL
Looks like some of you posters are runnning into the foaming mouths of 2 of our site’s pit bulls, vmj and sissy, both who attack and suffer from rabies.
Personally, I think the whole pit bull breed should be eliminated, wiped out. They serve no purpose other than to fight, kill and maim other animals and humans. If you want a nice pet, get a poodle or a toy collie.
“"MISTAKE”“??? This is why the world is in the shape it is in. One repeated ‘MISTAKE’ over and over again for many years including throwing in family pets into dog fighting rings because he thought it was funny and entertaining.
“Losing your car keys is a mistake. Forgetting to turn the stove off before leaving the house and having it burn down is a really big mistake. Running a dogfighting operation is a long series of deliberate choices that requires a repeated commitment to cruelty and savagery. Mistakes deserve second chances, the deliberate choice to commit acts like those involved in dogfighting should demand a very long road to forgiveness paved by an equally long series of actions that show an ongoing commitment to a profound change’
VMJ, I had to look back at my comment to see exactly where I addressed you personally sorry I just could not find it. So stop trying to make yourself the center of attention everytime somebody makes a comment you disagree with it is not always about you. I just posted what I felt which did not require your comments back to me as if I were talking about you. Yes I have made mistakes in my life that I would not repeat. I know that I am far from perfect maybe that is why I cannot see the point in attacking people that I really do not know.
INTEGRITY! HA
There has never been any suspicion of Terrell Owen’s being a fool… He is merely working on caliber now.
American citizens have the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. This has been accepted to include the right to earn a living. It has never included the right to earn millions of dollars playing football… NEVER!
EMPLOYMENT in the NFL is a PRIVILEGE <—- hmm what’s that? Some don’t have a clue.
Arguing Vick has the “right” to play in the NFL is as ridiculous as arguing I’m entitled to the same ... Vick fails miserably in the behavioral requirements while I fail the physical ones. The commissioner has been making it clear since he took office, BOTH are necessary if you want a ticket on the gridiron.
Sadly, Terrell Owens can’t accept this concept ... Just another NFL imbecile deeply desiring to MENTOR a full grown MAN with psychological issues (awww woo woo). Now that’s special. ROTFLMBFAO.
As I have stated before… Vick is (afterall) merely a legend in his own mind. AhhIGHT!
I understand your comment. You have no counter that makes sense. Fully understand your desire to change the subject. Most have seen that you comments hold no weight and your debate skills are zilch.
What are you 6 years old?
So let’s see, you stated, “And by the way I don’t give a hoot what this piece of garbage does with his life, I did not mess his life up, he did.“
in which I responded, “You must care, because #1 - you posted in the first place and #2 - you continue TO post. So if you do not care, as you so call say you don’t, then be gone.“
So who is the slow one here? ROTFLMAO
Since my negative comments mean less than nothing to you, which nothing equals zero, then that means that makes my comments a double negative to you, which means my comments are positive. Sorry, math is probably not your strong suit, so I must apologize for speaking over your head.
Joe you must be slow. My statements were about Vick, not you personally. I do not care about you or your opinion of me.
I cannot write that any clearer for you. I hope you can understand your opinion of me mean less than nothing to me.
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