Dr Kenneth Noisewater 0 Posted August 24, 2007 Share Posted August 24, 2007 NFL suspends Vick after dog-fighting chargesATLANTA, July 23 (Reuters) - The National Football League ordered star quarterback Michael Vick on Monday not to report to pre-season training with his Atlanta Falcons team after he was indicted on dog-fighting charges. Vick, 27, will receive full pay during the suspension, pending the league's own review of the indictment, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in an announcement. "While it is for the criminal justice system to determine your guilt or innocence, it is my responsibility ... to determine whether your conduct, even if not criminal, nonetheless violated league policies," Goodell said in a letter to Vick. Goodell told Vick the review would be completed as soon as possible and that his full cooperation was expected. The Falcons open camp on Thursday, the same day Vick is scheduled to be arraigned in Richmond, Virginia, on charges he and three other men operated an illegal dog-fighting ring. Vick, a three-time Pro Bowl selection with breakaway running speed and a powerful passing arm who was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2001 draft, was indicted last week by a federal grand jury. He has denied direct involvement in the pit bull fights that the indictment said took place on property he owns in Virginia. Vick faces up to six years in jail and $350,000 in fines if convicted on all of the charges. The indictment said dogs sometimes fought to the death on Vick's property and some losers had been put to death by drowning, hanging, gunshots and electrocution. It also charged that Vick and his associates shot dogs that did not pass muster after tests of their fighting ability. Since the indictment, the NFL and the Falcons have been under pressure to take disciplinary action against Vick, one of the league's most high-profile players. The Falcons have called a news conference for Tuesday at owner Arthur Blank's offices in Atlanta. Goodell asked the Falcons to withhold any disciplinary action the team might have planned until the NFL's review of whether Vick violated the league's personal conduct policy or other rules. Since last week's federal indictment, Vick's new Nike shoe line has been put on hold and animal rights activists from the PETA group have demonstrated outside NFL headquarters in New York and at Falcons' headquarters in Georgia. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toonpack 6766 Posted August 25, 2007 Share Posted August 25, 2007 He's screwed (thankfully) The Atlanta Falcons have issued a statement regarding the statement of facts and plea agreement filed by quarterback Mike Vick on Friday. Here's what the team had to say: "Today, Michael Vick admitted his guilt to very serious charges related to his earlier indictment. His admissions describe actions that are incomprehensible and unacceptable for a member of the National Football League and the Atlanta Falcons. "We respect and support the Commissioner’s decision today to place Michael Vick on an indefinite suspension. As with other actions he has taken this year, the Commissioner is making a strong statement that conduct which tarnishes the good reputation of the NFL will not be tolerated. "We hope that Michael will use this time, not only to further address his legal matters, but to take positive steps to improve his personal life." The AP report regarding the Falcons statement reiterates that the Falcons will now try to recover $22 million in bonus money from Vick. We believe that the best-case scenario for the team exceeds $28 million. At a minimum, the Falcons will be able to get $3.75 million -- but they might have to keep his rights through 2009 in order to get it all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toonpack 6766 Posted August 25, 2007 Share Posted August 25, 2007 More: With Mike Vick pleading guilty to federal conspiracy charges and agreeing to "provide all information known to [him] regarding any criminal activity as requested by the government," is it a coincidence that one day after Vick signed the papers the house of rapper DMX was raided, and 12 "distressed" pit bulls were removed? If Vick truly was a dog fighting "heavyweight," would Vick not know about other celebrities who engage in the sport? It's possible that it really was a coincidence. But it's also possible that any and all high-profile sports and entertainment figures will soon be getting a visit from guys with guns and badges. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Carr's Gloves 3181 Posted August 25, 2007 Share Posted August 25, 2007 (edited) More: With Mike Vick pleading guilty to federal conspiracy charges and agreeing to "provide all information known to [him] regarding any criminal activity as requested by the government," is it a coincidence that one day after Vick signed the papers the house of rapper DMX was raided, and 12 "distressed" pit bulls were removed? If Vick truly was a dog fighting "heavyweight," would Vick not know about other celebrities who engage in the sport? It's possible that it really was a coincidence. But it's also possible that any and all high-profile sports and entertainment figures will soon be getting a visit from guys with guns and badges. Cool. Bunch of cocksuckers make dogs fight. Edited August 25, 2007 by Kevin Carr's Gloves Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now