Michael Vick Conditionally Reinstated to The NFL - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Wreckless · 07-27-2009, 08:15 PM

I don't know how this wasn't posted sooner here.....big news.

Goodell gave him another chance.

SOURCE- http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4359354

NEW YORK -- Michael Vick is back in the NFL. Now all he needs is a team to play for.

Vick, free after serving 18 months in prison for running a dogfighting ring, was reinstated with conditions by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on Monday.

Vick can immediately take part 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.

Sal Paolantonio says the wording for Michael Vick's return gives the commissioner a lot of latitude on when to fully reinstate him. How many teams are interested?

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) at the latest.

According to ESPN's Sal Paolantonio, a source close to Vick expressed "shock" over the severity of Vick's punishment and said Vick will reapply for full reinstatement as early as Week 1.

Goodell suspended Vick indefinitely in August 2007 after the former Atlanta Falcons quarterback admitted bankrolling a dogfighting operation on his property in Virginia. At the time, Goodell said Vick must show remorse before he would consider reinstating him.

"I accept that you are sincere when you say that you want to, and will, turn your life around, and that you intend to be a positive role model for others," Goodell said in his letter to Vick. "I am prepared to offer you that opportunity. Whether you succeed is entirely in your hands."

"Needless to say, your margin for error is extremely limited," the letter said. "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 said he spoke to numerous current and former players and coaches as he weighed his decision and that the responses were "very mixed."

"I do recognize that some will never forgive him for what he did," Goodell said. "I hope that the public will have a chance to understand his position as I have."

Vick, once the highest-paid player in the league, said he was grateful for a second chance.

"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 in a statement released by his 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," he said.

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 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.

Goodell said Vick agreed to undergo psychiatric testing, which determined that he was capable of returning to the NFL but needed continuing counseling.

He suggested that preventing Vick from playing at the start of the regular season wasn't punishment but a chance for the quarterback to gradually make a transition back into the league.

"I have thought about every alternative, but I think this gives him the best chance for success," Goodell said. "We are not looking for failure here. We are looking to see a young man succeed."

But Vick's issues are far from over and he needs a team to call his own. So far, the owners of the New York Giants, New York Jets and Dallas Cowboys have said they had no interest in the 29-year-old quarterback. Neither do the Falcons, who officially released Vick in June.

Vick filed for bankruptcy protection last July, listing assets of about $16 million and debts of more than $20 million, and has a hearing about his plan to repay his creditors on Friday in Newport News, Va. That plan is built around his ability to make NFL-type money again.

He's unlikely to command anything close to the 10-year, $130 million contract he once had with the Falcons, or to get endorsement deals after the grisly details of the dogfighting ring were publicized.

Vick pleaded guilty after his three co-defendants had already done so. They told of how Vick participated in the killing of dogs that didn't perform well in test fights by shooting, hanging, drowning or slamming them to the ground.

Vick's appearances at federal court in Richmond, Va., prompted large groups of protesters to gather outside. Many were with PETA and held signs depicting photographs of pit bulls ravaged in dogfights.

Still, there were supporters who wore his No. 7 jersey.

Vick has already taken steps to rebuild his image.

He met with the president of the Humane Society of the United States while serving his federal sentence at Leavenworth, Kan. He plans to work with HSUS in a program designed to steer inner city youth away from dogfighting. He was not permitted to work with the program while in custody.

Ed Sayres, president of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, said the organization hopes Vick "rises to the occasion and proves worthy of the rare second chance Commissioner Goodell has granted him."

"Opportunities for redemption are rare -- but that is exactly the opportunity that awaits Mr. Vick," he said.

Information from The Associated Press contributed to this report.

catlover79 · 07-27-2009, 08:17 PM

Boooooooooooooooooo...

MickeyMac · 07-27-2009, 08:32 PM

Whoever singns him, I hope PETA and other animal rights group picket every game.

catlover79 · 07-27-2009, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MickeyMac

Whoever singns him, I hope PETA and other animal rights group picket every game.

I wouldn't blame them a bit. They can start with picketing the NFL headquarters.

JamesG · 07-27-2009, 10:11 PM

It's going to be a PR nightmare for any team that decides to sign him on. They can expect lots of noisy protestors both in and out of the stadium and who is going to want this surrounding them? Animal rights activists will follow Vick and this said team everywhere.

I think Vick has a long road ahead and I think he's not going to attract lots of good publicity right away. I believe every move of his will be watched like a hawk for signs of his true nature and to see if he really expresses remorse for what happened.

Should be interesting to see...

catlover79 · 07-27-2009, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesG

It's going to be a PR nightmare for any team that decides to sign him on. They can expect lots of noisy protestors both in and out of the stadium and who is going to want this surrounding them? Animal rights activists will follow Vick and this said team everywhere.

I think Vick has a long road ahead and I think he's not going to attract lots of good publicity right away. I believe every move of his will be watched like a hawk for signs of his true nature and to see if he really expresses remorse for what happened.

Should be interesting to see...

...and it'll be UGLY to see, too. I predict many arrests will be made by angry protesters. Where are the NFL headquarters located, anyway?

JamesG · 07-27-2009, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

...and it'll be UGLY to see, too. I predict many arrests will be made by angry protesters. Where are the NFL headquarters located, anyway?

In NYC along Park Avenue.

catlover79 · 07-27-2009, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesG

In NYC along Park Avenue.

OK, thanks. I was thinking it was in the midwest but I think it's MLB that's based in Milwaukee.

Scoobiedoo30 · 07-28-2009, 12:22 AM

do you think a Team will pick up Michael Vick.

Wreckless · 07-28-2009, 01:04 AM

^ yes. I can definitely see teams using him for their/a wildcat offense. I can see him backing up Tom Brady, being in Miami and a few other places. I bet Jerry Jones takes him if not. He is king trash picker. Michael Irvin, Terrell Owens, Tank Johnson, Adam Pacman Jones. Who else am I forgetting that Jones has picked up or put on his team?

But yeah, I think he will get picked up sooner or later by somebody.

Schmoopie · 07-28-2009, 04:16 AM

Why does this not surprise me. I knew this would happen.

catlover79 · 07-28-2009, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schmoopie

Why does this not surprise me. I knew this would happen.

So did I. The "brain trust" at the NFL really did it this time.

Mr. Television · 07-28-2009, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wreckless

^ yes. I can definitely see teams using him for their/a wildcat offense. I can see him backing up Tom Brady, being in Miami and a few other places. I bet Jerry Jones takes him if not. He is king trash picker. Michael Irvin, Terrell Owens, Tank Johnson, Adam Pacman Jones. Who else am I forgetting that Jones has picked up or put on his team?

But yeah, I think he will get picked up sooner or later by somebody.

Jerry has already said that he's not interested in him. I don't want that trash on my team and I will boo him every time he gets the ball. I finally had it with these type of players. Pacman was the worse. Fighting with your own security...and having to have a watchdog ( poor choice of words lol) for 24 hours. Pacman should be banned from the NFL for life. The guy's a disgrace.

TVFactFan · 07-28-2009, 09:27 PM

I heard something today at work about the Raiders being interested

catlover79 · 07-28-2009, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheLifeAdjuster

I heard something today at work about the Raiders being interested

The Raiders fans are scary...it would be a perfect fit for Vick.

07-27-2009, 08:15 PM	#1
Wreckless Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Nov 04, 2007 Location: Banned Posts: 9,406	Michael Vick Conditionally Reinstated to The NFL I don't know how this wasn't posted sooner here.....big news. Goodell gave him another chance. SOURCE- http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=4359354 NEW YORK -- Michael Vick is back in the NFL. Now all he needs is a team to play for. Vick, free after serving 18 months in prison for running a dogfighting ring, was reinstated with conditions by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell on Monday. Vick can immediately take part 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. Sal Paolantonio says the wording for Michael Vick's return gives the commissioner a lot of latitude on when to fully reinstate him. How many teams are interested? 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) at the latest. According to ESPN's Sal Paolantonio, a source close to Vick expressed "shock" over the severity of Vick's punishment and said Vick will reapply for full reinstatement as early as Week 1. Goodell suspended Vick indefinitely in August 2007 after the former Atlanta Falcons quarterback admitted bankrolling a dogfighting operation on his property in Virginia. At the time, Goodell said Vick must show remorse before he would consider reinstating him. "I accept that you are sincere when you say that you want to, and will, turn your life around, and that you intend to be a positive role model for others," Goodell said in his letter to Vick. "I am prepared to offer you that opportunity. Whether you succeed is entirely in your hands." "Needless to say, your margin for error is extremely limited," the letter said. "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 said he spoke to numerous current and former players and coaches as he weighed his decision and that the responses were "very mixed." "I do recognize that some will never forgive him for what he did," Goodell said. "I hope that the public will have a chance to understand his position as I have." Vick, once the highest-paid player in the league, said he was grateful for a second chance. "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 in a statement released by his 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," he said. 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 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. Goodell said Vick agreed to undergo psychiatric testing, which determined that he was capable of returning to the NFL but needed continuing counseling. He suggested that preventing Vick from playing at the start of the regular season wasn't punishment but a chance for the quarterback to gradually make a transition back into the league. "I have thought about every alternative, but I think this gives him the best chance for success," Goodell said. "We are not looking for failure here. We are looking to see a young man succeed." But Vick's issues are far from over and he needs a team to call his own. So far, the owners of the New York Giants, New York Jets and Dallas Cowboys have said they had no interest in the 29-year-old quarterback. Neither do the Falcons, who officially released Vick in June. Vick filed for bankruptcy protection last July, listing assets of about $16 million and debts of more than $20 million, and has a hearing about his plan to repay his creditors on Friday in Newport News, Va. That plan is built around his ability to make NFL-type money again. He's unlikely to command anything close to the 10-year, $130 million contract he once had with the Falcons, or to get endorsement deals after the grisly details of the dogfighting ring were publicized. Vick pleaded guilty after his three co-defendants had already done so. They told of how Vick participated in the killing of dogs that didn't perform well in test fights by shooting, hanging, drowning or slamming them to the ground. Vick's appearances at federal court in Richmond, Va., prompted large groups of protesters to gather outside. Many were with PETA and held signs depicting photographs of pit bulls ravaged in dogfights. Still, there were supporters who wore his No. 7 jersey. Vick has already taken steps to rebuild his image. He met with the president of the Humane Society of the United States while serving his federal sentence at Leavenworth, Kan. He plans to work with HSUS in a program designed to steer inner city youth away from dogfighting. He was not permitted to work with the program while in custody. Ed Sayres, president of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, said the organization hopes Vick "rises to the occasion and proves worthy of the rare second chance Commissioner Goodell has granted him." "Opportunities for redemption are rare -- but that is exactly the opportunity that awaits Mr. Vick," he said. Information from The Associated Press contributed to this report.

07-27-2009, 08:17 PM	#2
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	Boooooooooooooooooo...
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

07-28-2009, 12:22 AM	#9
Scoobiedoo30 Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Jun 27, 2002 Location: KENNER, LOUISIANA Posts: 27,654	do you think a Team will pick up Michael Vick.
	__________________ Who Dat

07-28-2009, 04:16 AM	#11
Schmoopie Keep Calm and Love Snoopy Forum Star Join Date: Jul 13, 2008 Location: Lynnwood, Washington Posts: 15,697	Why does this not surprise me. I knew this would happen.
	__________________ In memory of my wonderful husband. I love and miss you more than words can say, but I will always and forever keep you in my heart. September 23, 1961-January 14, 2019

07-27-2009, 08:32 PM	#3
MickeyMac Member Forum Star Join Date: Jun 18, 2008 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 19,008	Whoever singns him, I hope PETA and other animal rights group picket every game.

07-27-2009, 10:11 PM	#5
JamesG Freakshow Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 01, 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 57,262	It's going to be a PR nightmare for any team that decides to sign him on. They can expect lots of noisy protestors both in and out of the stadium and who is going to want this surrounding them? Animal rights activists will follow Vick and this said team everywhere. I think Vick has a long road ahead and I think he's not going to attract lots of good publicity right away. I believe every move of his will be watched like a hawk for signs of his true nature and to see if he really expresses remorse for what happened. Should be interesting to see...

07-28-2009, 01:04 AM	#10
Wreckless Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Nov 04, 2007 Location: Banned Posts: 9,406	^ yes. I can definitely see teams using him for their/a wildcat offense. I can see him backing up Tom Brady, being in Miami and a few other places. I bet Jerry Jones takes him if not. He is king trash picker. Michael Irvin, Terrell Owens, Tank Johnson, Adam Pacman Jones. Who else am I forgetting that Jones has picked up or put on his team? But yeah, I think he will get picked up sooner or later by somebody.

07-28-2009, 09:27 PM	#14
TVFactFan Member Forum Junkie Join Date: Aug 17, 2002 Posts: 99,131	I heard something today at work about the Raiders being interested