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Michael Vick extracted from Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia, distributed under the GNU Free Documentation License

Michael Vick

Vick during a post-game interview in 2009.
No. 7     Philadelphia Eagles
Quarterback
Personal information
Date of birth: June 26, 1980 (1980-06-26) (age 29)
Place of birth: Newport News, Virginia
Height: 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)	Weight: 215 lb (98 kg)
Career information
College: Virginia Tech
NFL Draft: 2001 / Round: 1 / Pick: 1
Debuted in 2001 for the Atlanta Falcons
Career history
As player: Atlanta Falcons (2001–2008) Philadelphia Eagles (2009-present)
Roster status: Active
Career highlights and awards
1999 Archie Griffin Award Winner 3rd in Heisman voting (1999) 6th in Heisman voting (2000) 3× Pro Bowl selection (2002, 2004, 2005) Other Awards
Career NFL statistics as of 2009
TD-INT	71–52
Passing yards	11,505
QB Rating	75.7
Rushing yards	3,866
Rushing touchdowns	21
Stats at NFL.com

Michael Dwayne Vick
Born	June 26, 1980 (1980-06-26) (age 29) Newport News, Virginia
Alias(es)	Ookie, Ron Mexico
Conviction(s)	(Federal) Felony conspiracy in interstate commerce/aid of unlawful animal fighting venture (Title 18, USC, Section 371); (Virginia) Felony dogfighting, 3 years in prison and $2500 fine
Penalty	(Federal) 23 months in prison, three years probation following release; (Virginia) fine and prison time suspended upon condition of good behavior for 4 years beginning November 2008
Status	Released on July 20, 2009 after servicing federal sentence, currently on probation
Occupation	American football quarterback
Parents	Michael Boddie, Brenda Vick

Michael Dwayne Vick (born June 26, 1980) is a professional American football quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League. He played for the Atlanta Falcons for six seasons before serving 18 months in prison for his involvement in an illegal dog fighting ring.

Vick played college football at Virginia Tech, where as a freshman he placed third in the Heisman Trophy balloting. He left after his sophomore year to enter the NFL and was drafted first overall by the Atlanta Falcons in the 2001 NFL Draft. In six seasons with the Falcons, he gained wide popularity for his performance on the field, and led the Falcons to the playoffs twice. Vick ranks third among quarterbacks in career rushing yards.

In April 2007, Vick was implicated in an extensive and illegal interstate dog fighting ring that had operated over a period of five years. In August 2007, he pleaded guilty to federal felony charges and was sent to prison for 23 months. With the loss of his NFL salary and product endorsement deals, combined with previous financial mismanagement, Vick filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in July 2008.

Vick was transferred from prison to home confinement in May 2009. Falcons owner Arthur Blank did not want Vick on the Falcons, and after attempts to trade him failed, Vick was released. He signed with the Philadelphia Eagles, and was fully reinstated and eligible to play in Week 3 of the 2009 season.¹

Contents 1 Childhood 2 Early athletic career 3 High school 4 College career 4.1 Statistics 5 Professional career 5.1 NFL Draft 5.2 Early NFL career 5.3 2003-2006 seasons 5.4 Endorsements 5.5 Suspension 5.6 Future in football and conditional reinstatement 5.7 Philadelphia Eagles 6 Incidents, criminal troubles 6.1 Early incidents 6.2 Dog fighting investigations 6.2.1 Federal criminal prosecution 6.2.1.1 Plea agreements, convictions 6.2.1.2 Failed drug test 6.2.1.3 Incarceration begins 6.2.1.4 Sentencing & prison 6.2.1.5 Funds to care for dogs 6.2.2 State criminal prosecution 6.2.2.1 State trial and sentencing 7 Financial troubles 8 Awards, records, and accomplishments 8.1 College awards 8.2 College records and accomplishments 8.3 NFL awards 8.4 NFL records and milestones 9 Charitable foundations 10 References 11 External links

Childhood

Vick is the second of four children born in Newport News, Virginia to Brenda Vick and Michael Boddie, then unmarried teenagers.² His mother worked two jobs, obtained some public financial assistance, and had help from her parents, while his father worked long hours in the shipyards as a sandblaster and spray-painter.³ They were married when Michael was about five years old, but the children elected to continue to use their "Vick" surname. The family lived in the Ridley Circle Homes, a public housing project in a financially depressed and crime-ridden neighborhood located in the East End section of the port city. A 2007 newspaper article published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch noted "not much changed" by observations of local people almost ten years after Michael Vick left. One resident said that there was drug dealing, drive-by shootings and other killings in the neighborhood, then suggested that sports were a way out and a dream for many.⁴

In a 2001 interview, Vick told the Newport News Daily Press that when he was 10 or 11, "I would go fishing even if the fish weren't biting, just to get" away from the violence and stress of daily life in the projects.⁴

Early athletic career

During the early years of his family, Michael Boddie’s employment required a lot of travel, but he taught football skills to his two sons at an early age. Vick was only three years old when his father, nicknamed "Bullet" for his blinding speed during his own playing days, began teaching him the fundamentals. He taught younger brother Marcus Vick.

As he grew up, Vick, who as a child went by the nickname "Ookie"³, learned about football from a second cousin four years older, Aaron Brooks. Vick and Brooks both spent a lot of time as youths at the local Boys and Girls Club.³⁵ As a 10-year-old throwing three touchdown passes in a Boys Club league, his apparent football talents led coaches and his parents to keep special watch.⁴

Vick told Sporting News magazine in an interview published April 9, 2001: "Sports kept me off the streets...It kept me from getting into what was going on, the bad stuff. Lots of guys I knew have had bad problems."

High school

Vick first came to prominence while at Homer L. Ferguson High School in Newport News. As a freshman, he impressed many with his athletic ability, throwing for over 400 yards in a game that year. Ferguson High School was closed in 1996 as part of a Newport News Public Schools building modernization program. Vick, as a sophomore, and Tommy Reamon both moved to Warwick High School.

At Warwick High School, under Reamon's tutelage, Vick was a three-year starter for the Raiders, passing for 4,846 yards with 43 touchdowns. He ran for six touchdowns and threw for three touchdowns in a single game. He added 1,048 yards and 18 scores on the ground. As a senior, he passed for 1,668 yards, accounting for ten passing and ten rushing touchdowns.

Reamon, who had helped guide Brooks from Newport News to the University of Virginia, helped Michael with his SAT tests and helped him and his family choose between Syracuse University and Virginia Tech. Reamon favored Virginia Tech, where he felt better guidance was available under Frank Beamer, who promised to redshirt him and provide the freshman needed time to develop. Reamon sold Michael on the school's proximity to family and friends,³ and Vick chose to attend Virginia Tech.

As he left the Newport News public housing projects in 1998, "on the wings of a college football scholarship," Vick was seen in the Newport News community as a "success story."⁴ In a story published in September 2000, while Vick was at Virginia Tech, Michael Boddie told the university's Collegiate Times: "Ever since he learned to throw a football, he's always liked throwing a ball...It's just in his blood."⁶

College career

In his first collegiate game as a redshirt freshman against James Madison in 1999, Vick scored three rushing touchdowns in just over one quarter of play. His last touchdown was a spectacular flip in which he landed awkwardly on his ankle, forcing him to miss the remainder of the game in addition to the following game. During the season, Vick led a last-minute game-winning drive against West Virginia in the annual Black Diamond Trophy game. He led the Hokies to an 11-0 season and to the Bowl Championship Series national title game in the Nokia Sugar Bowl against Florida State. Although Virginia Tech lost 46-29, Vick was able to bring the team back from a 21 point deficit to take a brief lead. During the season, Vick appeared on the cover of an ESPN The Magazine issue.

External images
	Vick on the Cover of Sports Illustrated

Vick led the NCAA in passing efficiency that year, setting a record for a freshman (180.4), which was good enough for the third-highest all-time mark. Vick was awarded an ESPY Award as the nation's top college player and won the first-ever Archie Griffin Award as college football's most valuable player. He was invited to the 1999 Heisman Trophy presentation and finished third in the voting behind Ron Dayne and Joe Hamilton. Vick's third place finish matched the highest finish ever by a freshman up to that point, first set by Herschel Walker in 1980.

Vick's 2000 season had highlights, such as his career rushing high of 210 yards against the Boston College in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. Against West Virginia University in the Black Diamond Trophy game, Vick accounted for 288 total yards of offense and two touchdowns in a 48-20 win. The following week, Vick led the Hokies from a 14-0 deficit against Syracuse at the Carrier Dome, where the Hokies had not won since 1986. Vick put the game away with a 55-yard run with 1:34 left.⁷

The following game against Pittsburgh, Vick was injured and had to miss the rest of the game as well as the entire game against Central Florida, and was unable to start against the Miami Hurricanes, the Hokies' lone loss of the season. Vick's final game at Virginia Tech came against the Clemson Tigers in the Toyota Gator Bowl, where he was named MVP of the game.

Vick left Virginia Tech after his redshirt sophomore season. Aware that the rest of his family was still living in their 3 bedroom apartment in the Ridley Circle Homes, Vick stated that he was going to buy his mother "a home and a car." ESPN later reported that Vick used some of his NFL and endorsement earnings to buy his mother a brand-new house in an upscale section of Suffolk, Virginia.⁸

Statistics

Year	Comp	Att	Comp %	Passing	TD	INT	Carries	Rushing	TD
1999	90	153	58.8	1840	12	5	110	580	8
2000	97	179	54.2	1439	9	7	113	636	9

Professional career

NFL Draft

Vick was selected first in the 2001 NFL Draft. The San Diego Chargers had the number one selection but traded the rights to the first overall choice to the Atlanta Falcons a day before the draft, for which they received the Falcons' first round pick (5th overall) and third round pick in 2001.⁹ Vick was drafted in the 30th round of the 2000 MLB Draft by the Colorado Rockies, despite not playing baseball at Virginia Tech.

Vick and teammate RB Warrick Dunn (1,140) became the first quarterback/running back duo to each surpass 1,000 rushing yards in a single season.

Early NFL career

Vick made his NFL debut at San Francisco on September 9, 2001 and saw limited action. He completed his first NFL pass to WR Tony Martin in the second quarter vs. Carolina on September 23 and first NFL touchdown on a two-yard rushing score in the fourth quarter to help the Falcons to a 24-16 victory. Vick made his first start at Dallas on November 11 and threw his first touchdown pass to TE Alge Crumpler in a 20-13 victory. In his two starts of the eight games played that season, Vick completed 50 of 113 passes for 785 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions, accounting for 234 of the team's 255 yards at the team’s season finale at St. Louis on January 6, 2002. He rushed 29 times for 289 yards (9.9 avg.) and one touchdown.

In 2002, Vick was named to the Pro Bowl after starting 15 games, missing a game to the New York Giants on October 13 with a sprained shoulder. He completed 231 of 421 passes for 2,936 yards (both career-highs) and 16 touchdowns with 113 carries for 777 yards and eight touchdowns. Vick established numerous single-game career highs, including passes completed with 24 and pass attempts with 46 at Pittsburgh on November 10, as well as passing yards with 337 vs. Detroit on December 22. He completed 74 yards for a touchdown to WR Trevor Gaylor vs. New Orleans on November 17. Vick registered an NFL record for most rushing yards by a quarterback in a single a game with 173 at Minnesota on December 1. Vick tied for third in team history for the lowest interception percentage in a season at 1.90 and continued a streak of consecutive passes without an interception that began at St. Louis on January 6, 2002 in the season finale of the 2001 season and extended to the first quarter vs. Baltimore on November 3, 2002. His streak covered 25 straight quarters and 177 passes without an interception. On January 1, 2003, Vick led the Atlanta Falcons to an upset victory over the heavily favored Green Bay 27-7 in the NFC playoffs, ending the Packers' undefeated playoff record at Lambeau Field. The Falcons would later lose 20-6 to the Donovan McNabb-led Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC divisional playoff game.

2003-2006 seasons

During a preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens on August 16, Vick suffered a fractured right fibula and missed the first 11 games of the regular season. In Week 13, Vick made his season debut in relief of QB Doug Johnson in the third quarter at Houston on November 30, completing 8 of 11 passes for 60 yards and recording 16 rushing yards on three carries. He posted his first start of the season vs. Carolina on December 7 and amassed the third-highest rushing total by a quarterback in NFL history with 141 yards on 14 carries and one score to lead the Falcons to a 21-14 victory. He completed 16 of 33 passes for 179 yards and accounted for 320 of the team's 380 offensive yards. Vick closed out the season with a 21–14 victory vs. Jacksonville on December 28, where he completed 12 of 22 passes for 180 yards with two touchdowns and one interception.

In 2004, Vick was named to his second Pro Bowl after starting 15 games, completing 181 of 321 passes for 2,313 yards with 14 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He rushed 120 times for 902 yards and three scores. His 902 rushing yards ranked third all-time by NFL QBs. His 7.5 yards per carry rank first among all NFL players.

Only Randall Cunningham and Steve Young have more rushing yards at the quarterback position than Vick. He is first among quarterbacks in rushing yards per game at 53.5. Vick holds several NFL quarterback rushing records, including most rushing yards in one game (173), most 100-yard rushing games (7), and most rushing yards in a single season (1,039).

Endorsements

During his NFL career, Vick became a spokesperson for many companies; his endorsement contracts included Nike, EA Sports, Coca-Cola, Powerade, Kraft, Rawlings, Hasbro and AirTran.¹⁰¹¹

Before the animal cruelty case surfaced in 2007, Vick's corporate status had deteriorated. Among the negative incidents was his middle finger gesture to Atlanta football fans in 2006.¹²¹³

Suspension

In August 2007, hours after Vick pleaded guilty to federal charges in the Bad Newz Kennels dog fighting investigation, the NFL suspended him indefinitely without pay. In a letter to Vick, Commissioner Roger Goodell said that Vick had admitted to conduct that was "not only illegal, but also cruel and reprehensible." While Vick is technically a first-time offender under the NFL's Personal Conduct Policy, Goodell handed down a harsher suspension because Vick admitted that he provided most of the money for the gambling side of the operation. Goodell left open the possibility of reinstating Vick depending on how he cooperated with federal and state authorities.¹⁴

Goodell had barred Vick from reporting to training camp while the league conducted its own investigation into the matter. At his July 26 arraignment, the terms of his bail barred him from leaving Virginia before the trial.¹⁵

On August 27, Falcons owner Arthur Blank said in a press conference that the Falcons would seek to recover a portion of Vick's signing bonus. He said the team had no immediate plans to cut ties with Vick, citing salary-cap issues.¹⁶ It initially appeared that Goodell had cleared the way for the Falcons to release Vick, since he ruled that Vick's involvement in gambling activity breached his contract. On August 29, the Falcons sent a letter to Vick demanding that he reimburse them for $20 million of the $37 million bonus.¹⁷ The case was sent to arbitration, and on October 10, an arbitrator ruled that Vick had to reimburse the Falcons for $19.97 million. The arbitrator agreed with the Falcons' contentions that Vick knew he was engaging in illegal activity when he signed his new contract in 2004, and that he had used the bonus money to pay for the operation.¹⁸

Future in football and conditional reinstatement

The prospects of Vick returning to play professional football were the subject of conjecture. After his suspension, the most serious obstacles were the length of imprisonment and possible impact of probationary restrictions afterward.¹⁹ Vick's federal prison sentence was set to expire July 20, 2009, although he completed his sentence under house arrest at his home in Hampton, VA. The Virginia charges he faced were resolved and dropped in late 2008 with a suspended sentence.

During incarceration, Vick's financial condition rapidly deteriorated due to virtually having no income and substantial ongoing expenses for attorneys, maintaining at least 6 luxury homes in Virginia, Georgia, and Florida, and providing living expenses and about 10 vehicles for friends and relatives. With debts millions of dollars in excess of assets, and facing judgments and collection efforts by some of the creditors, his attorneys filed for federal bankruptcy protection under Chapter 13 on his behalf in July 2008.

Vick's initial reorganization plan relied upon Vick again earning a very substantial income as a professional football player, which he could not assure the court. Testifying on April 3 in Newport News, Vick told the bankruptcy court judge that he believes he can play pro football for another 10 years.²⁰ His agent, Joel Segal, testified that he hopes to secure Vick a well-paying contract to play football with another NFL team after his suspension is lifted and after the Falcons release him.

Vick wanted to start the bankruptcy plan May 1, 2009 but could only demonstrate a commitment for a construction job paying approximately $20,000 per year arranged by the rector of Virginia Tech, an old friend and long-time supporter. his plan, even after divesting many assets, would have required at least $200,000 annually to maintain two of the homes in Virginia, 3 expensive vehicles, and continue to provide a comfortable living for his mother, brother, a former girlfriend and their son, and his fiancee and their two children. The plan was rejected by Judge Frank Santoro on April 3, who said the numbers simply did not work. He agreed to allow Vick time to plan a much more modest plan. Santoro was scheduled to meet with attorneys on April 28 for an update session.

Philadelphia Eagles

On August 13, 2009, Vick signed a one year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles.²¹ He will earn $1.6 million, of which no amount is guaranteed. The contract contains a team option for the 2010 season worth $5 million. Vick will be able to participate in all team practices and meetings as well as the Eagles' last two preseason games. He will be eligible to play in the third week of the regular season. He was placed on the exempt/commissioner's permission list on September 5, 2009. On September 15, 2009, Vick was activated to the 53-man roster.

Incidents, criminal troubles

Early incidents

Between his selection by the Atlanta Falcons in the 2001 NFL Draft and early 2007, Vick was allegedly involved in several incidents:

• In 2007, statements were made by his father, Michael Boddie, about possible dogfighting activities in 2001. Boddie told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that around 2001, Vick was staging dogfights in the garage of the family's home in Newport News and kept fighting dogs in the family's backyard, including injured ones which the father nursed back to health. Boddie said his son had been urged to not engage in the activity, but continued. He stated: "This is Mike's thing. And he knows it."²² Within days, Vick's mother, Brenda Vick Boddie, told the Newport News Daily Press "There was no dogfighting (at our home). There were no cages."²³
• In early 2004, two men were arrested in Virginia for distributing marijuana. The truck they were driving was registered to Vick. Falcons coach Dan Reeves recalled that he lectured Vick at that time on the importance of reputation, on choosing the right friends, and on staying out of trouble for the good of his team.²⁴
• On October 10, 2004, Vick and other members of his party, including employee Quanis Phillips, were at Atlanta's Hartsfield International Airport on their way to board an AirTran flight. While they were passing through a security checkpoint, a security camera caught Phillips and Todd Harris picking up an expensive-appearing watch which belonged to Alvin Spencer, a security screener.²⁵ After watching the theft on a video tape, Spencer filed a police report. He claimed that Billy "White Shoes" Johnson, known as the Falcons' "fixer", interfered with the investigation.²⁴ Although Vick representatives declined to make him available for an Atlanta police inquiry, six days later Spencer got the watch back from them.²⁵
• In March 2005, Sonya Elliott filed a civil lawsuit against Vick alleging she contracted genital herpes from him in the autumn of 2002 and that he failed to inform her that he had the disease.²⁶ Elliot further alleged that Vick had visited clinics under the alias "Ron Mexico" to get treatments and thus knew of his condition. On April 24, 2006, Vick's attorney, Lawrence Woodward, revealed that the lawsuit had been settled out of court under undisclosed terms.²⁷ Many fans bought custom jerseys from NFL.com with Vick's number 7 and the name "MEXICO" on the back. The NFL has since banned customizing jerseys with the name Mexico.²⁸
• November 26, 2006 – After a loss to the New Orleans Saints in the Georgia Dome, in apparent reaction to fans booing, Vick made an obscene gesture at fans, holding up two middle fingers. He was fined $10,000 by the NFL and agreed to donate another $10,000 to charity.²⁹
• January 17, 2007 – Vick surrendered a water bottle which had a hidden compartment to security personnel at Miami International Airport. "The compartment was hidden by the bottle's label so that it appeared to be a full bottle of water when held upright," police said. Test results indicated there were no illegal substances in the water bottle and Vick was cleared of any wrongdoing.³⁰ Vick announced that the water bottle was a jewelry stash box, and that the substance in question had been jewelry.³¹
• On April 24, 2007, Vick was scheduled to lobby on Capitol Hill, hoping to persuade lawmakers to increase funding for after-school programs. Vick missed a connecting flight in Atlanta on Monday to Reagan National Airport in Arlington, Virginia. He later failed to show up for another seat booked for him later that evening. On Tuesday morning, he did not attend his scheduled appearance at the congressional breakfast where he was to be honored for his foundation's work with after-school projects in Georgia and Virginia.³² Vick's mother Brenda accepted the award from the Afterschool Alliance.

Dog fighting investigations

A search warrant executed on April 25, 2007 as part of a drug investigation of Vick's cousin Davon Boddie led to discovery of evidence of unlawful dog fighting activities at a property owned by Vick in rural Surry County in southeastern Virginia, with extensive dogfighting facilities.²⁴ Widespread media publicity quickly gained momentum as state officials investigated, soon joined by federal authorities with their own investigation. As the separate state and federal investigations progressed, more and more details of the operations of an interstate dog fighting ring were revealed, with some portions involving drugs and gambling. Gruesome details involving abuse, torture and execution of under-performing dogs galvanized animal rights activists and expressions of public outrage. Vick and several others were indicted on both federal and Virginia felony charges related to the operation.

Federal criminal prosecution

In July 2007, Vick and three other men were charged by federal authorities with felony charges of operating an unlawful interstate dog fighting venture known as "Bad Newz Kennels". Vick was accused of financing the operation, directly participating in dog fights and executions, and personally handling thousands of dollars in related gambling activities. Federal prosecutors indicated they intended to proceed under the powerful provisions of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO), a United States federal law that provides for extended criminal penalties and a civil cause of action for acts performed as part of an ongoing criminal organization.

Plea agreements, convictions

By August 20, Vick and the other three co-defendants agreed to separate plea bargains for the federal charges.³³³⁴ They were expected to each receive federal prison sentences between 12 months and five years.

On August 24, Vick filed plea documents with the federal court. He pleaded guilty to "Conspiracy to Travel in Interstate Commerce in Aid of Unlawful Activities and to Sponsor a Dog in an Animal Fighting Venture". He admitted to providing most of the financing for the operation and to participating directly in several dog fights in Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina and South Carolina. He admitted to sharing in the proceeds from these dog fights. He further admitted that he knew his colleagues killed several dogs who did not perform well. While he admitted to providing most of the money for gambling on the fights, he denied placing any side bets on the dogfights. He denied killing any dogs.³⁵ ESPN obtained copies of the documents under the U.S. Freedom of Information Act and made them available at:

• Vick federal guilty plea
• Vick federal statement of facts

On August 27, U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson accepted Vick's guilty plea. In the scheduled December 10 sentencing, Vick faced a maximum of five years in prison, a fine of $250,000 and three years of supervised release. Prosecutors asked Hudson to sentence Vick to 12–18 months if Vick cooperated with the government as he had agreed to do in the terms of the original plea agreement. The terms of the plea agreement include a clause in which Vick forfeits his right to appeal any sentence imposed upon him. Though prosecutors asked for a lower-end sentence for Vick, Hudson could still increase the sentence up to the maximum limits; Hudson had informed two co-defendants that the brutality warranted exceeding the guidelines in their cases.³⁶

A significant portion of the plea agreement involved Vick cooperating with federal authorities pursuing other dog fighting cases and a complete allocution on his role in the Bad Newz Kennels, including detailing his role in the killing of dogs after the fights. The allocution proved to be a "sticking point," as both federal prosecutors and FBI agents reported that Vick was giving contradictory statements about how dogs were killed, what his role in the killings were, how many dogs were killed, and other details.³⁷ According to reporters who spoke to Hudson after the sentencing, Vick's pre-sentencing behavior, especially during an FBI polygraph administered in October 2007 which showed that Vick was being deceptive when asked direct questions about killing dogs, was a factor in selecting the length of the sentence.³⁷

Failed drug test

While free on bail, Vick tested positive for marijuana in a random drug test. This was a violation of the conditions of his release while awaiting sentencing in federal court for his felony conviction. Vick's positive urine sample was submitted September 13, 2007, according to a document by a federal probation officer that was filed in U.S. District Court on September 26. As a result, Hudson ordered Vick confined to his Hampton, Virginia home³⁸ between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. with electronic monitoring until his court hearing date in December. He was ordered to submit to random drug testing.

Co-defendant Quanis Phillips was incarcerated earlier after his August 17 plea hearing because he had failed drug tests with monitoring equipment and regulations already in place.³⁹⁴⁰⁴¹

Incarceration begins

In November, Vick turned himself in early to begin getting time-served credit against his likely federal prison sentence. He was held at Northern Neck Regional Jail in Warsaw, Virginia awaiting sentencing on the federal convictions on December 10, 2007.⁴²

Sentencing & prison

On December 10, Vick appeared in U.S. District Court in Richmond for sentencing. Judge Hudson said he was "convinced that it was not a momentary lack of judgment" on Vick's part, and that Vick was a "full partner" in the dog fighting ring, and he was sentenced to serve 23 months in federal prison.⁴³ Hudson noted that, despite Vick's claims that he accepted responsibility for his actions, his failure to cooperate fully with federal officials, coupled with a failed drug test and a failed polygraph, showed that Vick had not accepted full responsibility for "promoting, funding and facilitating this cruel and inhumane sporting activity".³⁷ Vick was assigned to a federal prison facility in Leavenworth, Kansas to serve his sentence.⁴⁴

Funds to care for dogs

At the request of federal authorities before sentencing, Vick agreed to deposit nearly $1 million in an escrow account with attorneys for use to reimburse costs of caring for the confiscated dogs, most of which were being offered for adoption on a selective basis under supervision of a court-appointed specialist. Experts said some of the animals will require individual care for the rest of their lives.⁴⁵ During his bankruptcy trial, the U.S. Department of Labor complained that these funds were paid at least partially with unlawfully withdrawn monies which Vick held in trust for himself and eight other employees of MV7, a celebrity marketing company he owns.

State criminal prosecution

Separate Virginia charges against all four men were placed following indictments by the Surry County grand jury when it met on September 25, 2007. The principal evidence considered was the sworn statements of the defendants during their plea agreement process before the federal court, although the indictments are for different charges. Vick was charged with two class 6 felonies, which carry a maximum penalty of five years imprisonment for each charge.⁴⁶

Citing the high costs and transportation logistics of proceeding while he was still in federal prisons out of state, the prosecutor, Gerald Poindexter, decided to postpone Vick's trial in Surry County Circuit Court until after his release from federal custody.⁴⁷ Vick's attorneys sought to resolve the state charges sooner. On October 14, 2008, Woodward filed a motion to enter a plea via two-way electronic video with the Surry County Courts.⁴⁸ Vick planned to plead guilty to state charges in an effort to get early release from federal prison and enter a halfway house.⁴⁹ The request for a trial without Vick physically present was denied. Poindexter agreed to hold the state trial while Vick was still in federal custody if he bore the costs of his transportation to Virginia and related expenses.

State trial and sentencing

In late November 2008, Vick was transported to Virginia to face state charges.⁵⁰ On November 25, he appeared before the Surry County Circuit Court at a session held in neighboring Sussex County because the Surry court building was undergoing renovation. He submitted a guilty plea to a single Virginia felony charge for dog fighting, receiving a 3 year prison sentence, imposition of which was suspended upon condition of good behavior, and a $2500 fine. In return for the plea agreement, the other charge was dropped.⁵¹

Financial troubles

Awards, records, and accomplishments

College awards

• 1999 Big East Conference Rookie of the Year
• 1999 Big East Conference Offensive Player of the Year
• 1999 Archie Griffin Award
• 2000 Best College Football Player ESPY Award
• 2001 Toyota Gator Bowl MVP

College records and accomplishments

• Set an NCAA record for a freshman and established single-season school records for highest yards passing per completion (20.4), per attempt (12.1), highest completion percentage (59.2) and most yards per play (9.3).
• Became the first player in Division I history to win a league's Player of the Year Award in the same season he won Rookie of the Year.

NFL awards

• Best NFL Player ESPY Award (2003)
• Galloping Gobbler Award (2005)

NFL records and milestones

• In 2006, Vick became the only quarterback in NFL history to rush for over 1,000 yards during the regular season.
• In 2006, Vick set the NFL record for most yards per carry in a season with 8.4.
• Vick (1,039 yards) and Dunn (1,140) became the first QB/RB tandem in NFL history to each go over the 1,000-yard rushing mark in the same season. They became the fourth set of teammates in league history to each have 1,000 or more yards.
• Made his third Pro Bowl in 2005 as he passed for 2,412 yards and 16 touchdowns in addition to leading all NFL quarterbacks with 597 rushing yards and six scores.
• Named to the second Pro Bowl of his career after leading the Falcons to their third division title in team history and breaking numerous NFL and team records in 2004.
• Set an NFL postseason record for a quarterback with 119 rushing yards in the 2004 NFC Divisional playoff win against the Rams.
• Became the first quarterback to throw for more than 250 yards and rush for over 100 yards in the same game in Denver (October 31, 2004).

Charitable foundations

Michael Vick has been a principal in two charitable foundations, the Michael Vick Foundation and The Vick Foundation.

In June 2006, Vick, along with his brother Marcus and mother Brenda, established The Vick Foundation, a nonprofit organization to support at-risk youth and the after school programs that serve them in the Metro Atlanta and Hampton Roads areas. The announcement of the new organization came just before the start of the foundation's first fundraiser, the Michael Vick Golf Classic. The inaugural event was held at the prestigious Kingsmill Golf Course in James City County near Williamsburg, Virginia in partnership with The Virginia Tech Alumni Association Tidewater Chapter, and netted more than $80,000 for charity.⁵²⁵³ According to its 2006 federal tax return, the Michael Vick Foundation provided 100 backpacks to poor children in Newport News and paid for an after-school program in 2006. During the same period the foundation spent 12% of its budget – $20,590 of $171,823 – on charitable programs and paid its fundraiser, Susan Bass Roberts, a former spokeswoman for Vick, $97,000. That foundation ceased operations in 2006. One of Vick's financial advisors withdrew $50,000, most of the remaining funds, from its checking account in 2008.⁵⁴

After the Virginia Tech massacre on April 16, 2007, Vick and the United Way donated $10,000 to assist families affected.⁵⁵ The Vick Foundation collected donations from communities in Atlanta and Virginia that will be placed in the United In Caring Fund for Victims of the Virginia Tech Tragedy and the special fund at the United Way of Montgomery, Radford and Floyd counties, which serves the Virginia Tech area. The Vick Foundation said the money would be used to provide help with funeral expenses, transportation for family members and other support services.

In June 2007, the "Michael Vick Football Camp," to be held at Christopher Newport University in Newport News, was canceled for the summer 2007 session.⁵⁶ He canceled participation in another football camp to be held at the College of William and Mary and was replaced by Washington Redskins quarterback Jason Campbell.⁵⁷

On June 22, a charity golf tournament featuring Vick, intended in part to raise scholarships in memory of Virginia Tech's shooting victims, was rescheduled for September.⁵⁸

References

External links

Wikinews has related news: Michael Vick

• Official Website
• Michael Vick at PhiladelphiaEagles.com
• Michael Vick at NFL.com

• Michael Vick at ESPN.com

• Vick Indicted on Va. Dogfighting Charges on Time.com (a division of Time Magazine)
• Michael Vick at Pro-Football-Reference.com
• Michael Vick at the Internet Movie Database
• The Smoking Gun - United States v. Michael Vick, Criminal No. 3:07CR274 (E.D. Va., August 24, 2007) Summary of the facts and plea agreement
• Michael Vick CNN

Awards and achievements
Preceded by Al Clark	Virginia Tech Starting Quarterback 1999–2000	Succeeded by Grant Noel
Preceded by First Award	Archie Griffin Award 1999	Succeeded by Josh Heupel
Preceded by Courtney Brown	1st Overall Pick in NFL Draft 2001	Succeeded by David Carr
Preceded by Chris Chandler	Atlanta Falcons Starting Quarterback 2002–2006	Succeeded by Joey Harrington
Preceded by Marshall Faulk	Madden NFL Cover Athlete Madden '04	Succeeded by Ray Lewis
Preceded by Bobby Douglass 1972, (968)	Record for NFL Quarterback Rushing Yards in a Single Season 2006, (1039)	Succeeded by Current Record Holder

v • d • e Philadelphia Eagles current roster Active roster 2 David Akers | 4 Kevin Kolb | 5 Donovan McNabb | 6 Sav Rocca | 7 Michael Vick | 10 DeSean Jackson | 18 Jeremy Maclin | 21 Joselio Hanson | 22 Asante Samuel | 23 Dimitri Patterson | 24 Sheldon Brown | 26 Sean Jones | 27 Quintin Mikell | 29 LeSean McCoy | 31 Ellis Hobbs | 32 P. J. Hill | 34 Eldra Buckley | 35 Macho Harris | 36 Brian Westbrook | 39 Quintin Demps | 43 Leonard Weaver | 46 Jon Dorenbos | 50 Will Witherspoon | 51 Joe Mays | 52 Tracy White | 53 Moise Fokou | 54 Jeremiah Trotter | 56 Akeem Jordan | 57 Chris Gocong | 58 Trent Cole | 59 Nick Cole | 62 Max Jean-Gilles | 64 Antonio Dixon | 65 King Dunlap | 67 Jamaal Jackson | 71 Jason Peters | 74 Winston Justice | 75 Juqua Parker | 76 Stacy Andrews | 77 Mike McGlynn | 79 Todd Herremans | 80 Kevin Curtis | 81 Jason Avant | 82 Alex Smith | 86 Reggie Brown | 87 Brent Celek | 90 Darren Howard | 91 Chris Clemons | 93 Trevor Laws | 94 Jason Babin | 95 Victor Abiamiri | 97 Brodrick Bunkley | 98 Mike Patterson Practice squad 33 Jack Ikegwuonu | 41 Marcus Mailei | 42 Reshard Langford | 63 Paul Fanaika | 66 Dallas Reynolds | 84 Jordan Norwood | 89 Martin Rucker | -- Dobson Collins | Reserve lists 55 Stewart Bradley (IR) | 73 Shawn Andrews (IR) | 78 Fenuki Tupou (IR) | 88 Cornelius Ingram (IR) | 96 Omar Gaither (IR)

v • d • e National Football League number one overall Draft picks Berwanger • Francis • C. Davis • Aldrich • Cafego • Harmon • Dudley • Sinkwich • Bertelli • Trippi • Dancewicz • Fenimore • Gilmer • Bednarik • Hart • Rote • Wade • Babcock • Garrett • Shaw • Glick • Hornung • Hill • Duncan • Cannon • Mason • E. Davis • Baker • Parks • Frederickson • Nobis • Bu. Smith • Yary • Simpson • Bradshaw • Plunkett • Patulski • Matuszak • Jones • Bartkowski • Selmon • Bell • Campbell • Cousineau • B. Sims • Rogers • K. Sims • Elway • Fryar • Br. Smith • Jackson • Testaverde • Bruce • Aikman • George • Maryland • Emtman • Bledsoe • Wilkinson • Carter • Johnson • Pace • P. Manning • Couch • Brown • Vick • Carr • Palmer • E. Manning • A. Smith • Williams • Russell • Long • Stafford

v • d • e 2001 NFL Draft First Round Selections Michael Vick · Leonard Davis · Gerard Warren · Justin Smith · LaDainian Tomlinson · Richard Seymour · Andre Carter · David Terrell · Koren Robinson · Jamal Reynolds · Dan Morgan · Damione Lewis · Marcus Stroud · Kenyatta Walker · Rod Gardner · Santana Moss · Steve Hutchinson · Jeff Backus · Casey Hampton · Adam Archuleta · Nate Clements · Will Allen · Deuce McAllister · Willie Middlebrooks · Freddie Mitchell · Jamar Fletcher · Michael Bennett · Derrick Gibson · Ryan Pickett · Reggie Wayne · Todd Heap Draft Years 70  • 71  • 72  • 73  • 74  • 75  • 76  • 77  • 78  • 79  • 80  • 81  • 82  • 83  • 84  • 85  • 86  • 87  • 88  • 89  • 90  • 91  • 92  • 93  • 94  • 95  • 96  • 97  • 98  • 99  • 00  • 01  • 02  • 03  • 04  • 05  • 06  • 07  • 08  • 09

v • d • e Atlanta Falcons first-round draft picks Nobis • Johnson • Humphrey • Kunz • Small • Profit • Ellis • Bartkowski • Bean • Bryant • Faumuina • Kenn • D. Smith • J. Miller • Butler • Riggs • Pitts • Bryan • Fralic • Casillas • Green • C. Miller • Bruce • Sanders • Collins • Broussard • Pickens • Pritchard • Whitfield • T. Smith • Kennedy • Bush • Booker • Brooking • Kerney • Vick • Duckett • Hall • Jenkins • White • Anderson • Ryan • Baker • Jerry

v • d • e Atlanta Falcons starting quarterbacks R. Johnson • Nofsinger • Berry • Shiner • Lee • Bartkowski • Archer • Campbell • Miller • Kramer • Millen • Tolliver • Wilson • Hebert • George • Chandler • Deberg • Kanell • Vick • D. Johnson • Kittner • Schaub • Harrington • Leftwich • Redman • Ryan

v • d • e Madden NFL cover athletes English versions '99: Garrison Hearst • '00: Barry Sanders / Dorsey Levens • '01: Eddie George • '02: Daunte Culpepper • '03: Marshall Faulk • '04: Michael Vick '05: Ray Lewis • '06: Donovan McNabb • '07: Shaun Alexander • '08: Vince Young • '09: Brett Favre • '10: Troy Polamalu & Larry Fitzgerald Spanish versions '08: Luis Castillo • '09: Roberto Garza

Persondata
NAME	Vick, Michael Dwayne
ALTERNATIVE NAMES
SHORT DESCRIPTION	American football player
DATE OF BIRTH	June 26, 1980
PLACE OF BIRTH	Newport News, Virginia
DATE OF DEATH
PLACE OF DEATH