He’s Back!!! Michael Vick Released!
I don’t know about you but I am happy he is out! Here is what ESPN news had to say about Michael Vick and his early morning release.
Michael Vick left a Kansas federal prison Wednesday for home confinement in Virginia, the latest step on a journey that he hopes will lead to his return to the NFL.
Prison Bureau officials confirmed to ESPN’s Kelly Naqi that Vick was released from the federal penitentiary at Leavenworth, Kan., around 5 a.m.
Larry Woodward, a member of Vick’s legal team, told The Associated Press that Vick is happy to be starting this part of the process.
The Daily Press of Newport News, Va., which first reported Vick’s release, said according to sources at the scene, Vick left the prison before dawn, using an alternate entrance to evade cameras and reporters who had staked out the building ahead of his expected release this week.
Vick is due to return to his Hampton, Va., home and serve the remainder of his federal sentence on house arrest. He spent the past 19 months in prison after pleading guilty to bankrolling a dogfighting ring.
Vick, once the NFL’s highest-paid player, is expected to take a construction job at $10 an hour while he serves the remainder of his sentence under house arrest. He will be handed a new set of rules when he begins serving three years of probation after his expected July 20 release from federal custody.
Vick will be required to report to probation within 72 hours of his return to Hampton, Va., and will be supervised out of the Norfolk probation office.
Vick’s agent said Tuesday that the quarterback “will place football on the back burner” during his immediate home confinement and that there are no meetings scheduled with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to discuss reinstatement for the 2009 season.
“Michael’s looking forward to reacquainting himself with his family, his fiancée, Kiafa, his children and his mom,” Joel Segal, Vick’s agent, said. “When he gets home, that’s his priority, along with reinserting himself into society and being a positive influence in his community. This is going to be a special time for him, just being around family.”
Goodell has said he would wait until the end of Vick’s sentence to consider reinstatement. He has said Vick will have to persuade him and the public that he is genuinely sorry for his crime, that he has been changed by his experience and that he is committed to leading a different life.
Are you like Goodell, do you think Michael Vick should have to jump through hoops to get back the life he once knew? Here’s my thing, I could see him having to “persuade him and the public that he is genuinely sorry for his crime, that he has been changed by his experience and that he is committed to leading a different life” if he got off scot free but why does he have to do all of that and he served time, paid the price for his crime and is willing to work a $10.00 an hour job in the meantime??? At what point does the humiliation end and a second chance at life begin? Who is Goodell or any of us to demand such a thing of an entertainer? He is not President of the United States, or Mother Teresa’s counterpart, he is a sports entertainer!!!
How do you feel? Should Michael Vick be reinstated, picked up and the pause button released? After his sentence is complete, should he go back to doing what he does best and giving testosterone holders all over the world the biggest form of entertainment known to “males”? Personally, I think so! He was fighting dogs not murdering people or dealing drugs! He was wrong but he did what he was ordered to do and now should be allowed to pick his life back up and do his thang! What do you think? Holla Back!
Michael Vick’s Pro football career is not more important than his recovery and reconciliation. In this time in his life, he needs faith, family and recovery. Michael Vick is going through a very low period in his life. I believe he’s been humbled and he needs this time away from the spot light. I believe we all must go through a broken period in order to realize what life is all about. We have to go through it to get to it. Michael Vick will make it through this furnace and he will come out of the fire as pure gold. I believe he will be a more positive role model for the youth now that he has experienced loosing his freedom. He has a great testimony to share with the world. I’m sure he won’t take his God given gift, wealth and success for granted for the rest of his life. I would love for Vick to be reinstated back into the NFL but this is not the time or season.
I would love to see to Michael Vick return to football. The punishment far out weighed the crime. I’m sure this road of healing for him has been rough. Obviously, God is dealing with him on a much deeper level. I hope that he takes the time to move forward slowly and deliberately. Wishing and praying the very best for his life!!!
@Ronald Deane – lol. Ronnie Deane how is this not his time or season? How do you know that? Did God speak to you and tell you Michael Vick’s timeline? If you commit indiscretions or a flat out crime, does Michael Vick get to call your timeline and say when you should be reinstated into your previous life? Seriously, the man did time and is still on probation and going to come down to real earth and work a job making $10.00 an hour! We make more than that! Why can he not resume life as is? Leah, why does he have to move slowly and deliberately? Does that go for EVERYONE who is a part of dogfighting? Should their lives be taken away and then when they are reinstated into society, they have to wait for their time and season and move slowly and deliberately? Wow. I am just fascinated! I heard Jamie Foxx say once publicly, where he comes from people fight dogs. Period. I apparently have missed something here…. Help me understand?
I am worked up about this. I think the most about this man saying Michael Vick has to persuade him and the public that he is genuinely sorry for his crime, that he has been changed by his experience and that he is committed to leading a different life. I guarantee you this same man has things in his closet he would never want to come out. Things that he is not proud of and maybe even things, if known, could be considered wrong. Who gets to come along and say he needs to be a certain amount of sorry? How can he say anyone has to prove themself to him. Ok, he is the commissioner and??? Goodness!
There must be a whole other side to this I am just missing.
We must obey and respect the laws of the land. The probationary period is part of his sentence for the crime. The judge could have made him serve the entire sentence in Federal Prison. At least he is out and can enjoy his family. A person doesn’t get sentenced to Federal Prison for a misdemeanor. Animal cruelty is a serious crime. Fighting dogs are worse than wolves, wolves will run away from people, fighting dogs will attack and kill on impulse. Could you imagine one of those vicious, gun powder fed pit bulls getting loose and attacking a child in your neighborhood. They are raised to kill. This is a serious matter. I believe the punishment fit the crime. He would be facing a much more serious case if one of those dogs killed a child. He would be held responsible. I would hope that Michael Vick takes advantage of this time in his life to reflect, change and be thankful and grateful that he got a second chance. We can’t take life for granted.
I believe everyone deserve a second chance. My Lord the man was jailed 23 months for dog fighting. There are many individuals that do worst crime and get less the time if any time at all. Let the man live again. He should be able to return to the NFL. He has confess that he has done wrong so that should settle it. No man should pass judgment on whether he has been reformed or not. That can’t be determined by them. He shouldn’t have to prove anything to no man, the only man he needs to be concern with is God. If he has his business straight with him that settles it.
I think Mike Vick should be allowed to come back to the NFL. I believe that he has paid the price for what the crime he committed. You could tell he was sorry from the moment he fessed up. He had the look of a man who knew he blew it. Roger Goodell wants to see “remorse”, what is his definition of remorse? Does he want this man on his hands and knees begging to play again? From my standpoint he wants to humiliate Mike Vick. The point I’ve been arguing all day is this is the same NFL that let Leonard Little come back after killing somebody drunken driving. If they don’t let Mike Vick comeback the NFL is saying that dogs life is more important than a human’s. I know dog fighting is wrong and you’re not supposed to do it, but there are far worse crimes that football players have committed and still got a chance to play again. Person or a dog? You tell me…
I agree Barry and Stacey!
Dog fighting should not be belittled? It is more serious than one might think. I believe if your child was attacked by one of these vicious dogs you would have a different opinion about Michael Vick’s sentence. He deserves a second chance at the NFL but don’t downgrade the cruelty of dog fighting.
Numerous law enforcement raids have unearthed many disturbing facets of this illegal “sport.” Young children are sometimes present at the events, which can promote insensitivity to animal suffering, enthusiasm for violence and a lack of respect for the law. Illegal gambling is the norm at dogfights. Dog owners and spectators wager thousands of dollars on their favorites. Firearms and other weapons have been found at dogfights because of the large amounts of cash present. And dog fighting has been connected to other kinds of violence—even homicide, according to newspaper reports. In addition, illegal drugs are often sold and used at dogfights.
Dogs used for fighting have been bred for many generations to be dangerously aggressive toward other animals. The presence of these dogs in a community increases the risk of attacks not only on other animals but also on people. Children are especially at risk, because their small size may cause a fighting dog to perceive a child as another animal.
I hear you on all of this but check this out, adultery is a crime, whether people are prosecuted for it or not, it is. I can’t even go into ALL of the ramifications of how many lives are affected and how much fallout occurs due to infidelities. Should a man or woman who have committed this crime, but then repented, paid their dues and and are now in the process of getting their life back on track be told it is not their time or season to step back into life? Should they be told to move slowly back into life? If they have gotten themselves straight with God and man/the law (if necessary), why can’t they move on and resume their life? That is all I’m saying. He who is without sin, cast the first stone. I am appalled that ANYONE would have the audacity to say how Michael Vick should be sorry or gets to be the judge of what genuine remorse looks like to them. Poppycock! (I used that word just for you Ronnie Deane) Michael Vick has and is still in the process of serving his sentence and doing his time! After that, let him be!!!
What in the……is Poppycock?!!!!! LOL @ Kathy
I BELIEVE THIS IS BEING DONE TO TO MAKE AN EXAMPLE OF HIM. SOME ONE TO TO SHOW HIM THAT NO MATTER WHO HE IS OR HOW MUCH MONEY HE HAD THEY CAN STILL RULE OVER HIM. THEY LIKE THE POWER. HE WAS JSUT THE ONE THAT GOT CAUGHT. LOOK HOW MANY ARE STILL OUT THERE FIGHTING DOGS. I AM NOT SAYING IT IS RIGHT, IT IS JUST THAT SOME PEOPLE PUT THEMSELVES IN A HIGHER CLASS JUST BECAUSE THEY CAN.
IT IS JUST LIKE THIS TAX THING WESLEY HAD TO GO TO PRISON BUT PRESIDENT BARACK MAN IN WASHINGTON JUST GOT A SLAP ON THE HAND FOR NOT PAYING HIS TAXES. THEY GAVE HIM A GOVERMENT POSITION, BUT THEY BOTH DID THE SAME THING!!! DID NOT PAY THEIR TAXES.
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All I’m going to say is Mike went to jail over dogs fighting. Those police officers that killed the man that was getting married the next day didn’t get one day in jail. They went home and not much else happened. Where’s the justice?
It fascinates when people talk about a famous person like they live next door to them and they know them personally. Ronnie, exactly when did you meet Mike Vick. And how in the world do you know what he needs to do in this time of his life? Have you experienced being a football player who went to prison for dog fights? I’m just curious.
P.S. I read Ronnie’s response and immediately wrote my response THEN I read others. I had no idea Kathy wrote what she did. Great minds think alike. “Wait for their time and season and move slowly and deliberately.” Come on!
I know I am a little late on this one, but I really don’t like to type first and not think things thru. My husband wrote Micheal Vick a letter for Christmas to encourage him and he responded, which I was very surprised, he sounded like he was encouraged, at peace and ready to start fresh. And I myself am glad that he is out and back in the saddle of freedom and life.
He was made an example of and yes someone wanted to show that they have the power and authority to do him the way they did, but guess what…..God will get the glory in this no matter if he returns to Ball (I hope he does) or not.
Vick is the winner in this situation and much good can come from it. It is up to him to know which voice to listen to, his voice or God’s
I hope he chooses the latter.
I just can not wait until he comes back and dominates and is still impossible to defend just like he was before. Its a shame that he has had to go through what he did, but now maybe he will concentrate strictly on football and play out of his mind.
I’m late on commenting but want to know what in the world, Ronnie? There are guns, drugs, etc..at our schools and every where else a group of people are together for a period of time. Please have empathy and try to put yourself in Mike’s shoes. He has (and is)paying for the crime he committed and as others have said, there have been any number of people who have committed far worse crimes who never spent 1 (ONE) night in prison!! Pray for Mike and remember if not for the grace of God….it could be you or me. You might want to buy or borrow Israel and New Breed’s CD Deeper Level and listen to the song with the words…”Where would I be if not for Your Grace” it will minister to you and hopefully humble you. We ALL need to pray our strength in the Lord!
I saw a poster of an abused dog that said “The person who would do this to her would do the same to you”. They start out abusing animals and then……..
I was taught that redemption came after one asks forgiveness… where is the remorse???
Hi Carolyn. Glad to have you with us at kleverkathy.
Who is Michael Vick suppose to ask forgiveness from? You? Me? God? And when he does ask for it, does it have to be public in order for people to deem him “sorry” for what he did and let him be? How does Michael Vick show remorse to you or any of us? How do you show remorse and why does one person have to do it the way another person thinks they should or they are not considered remorseful? Isn’t all of that up to God? Shouldn’t we just do what we are responsible to do: forgive and love and then move on? I’m just saying…