Michael Vick plead "not guilty" to conspiracy charges related to dog-fighting charges on Thursday.
On Monday night, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell ordered Michael Vick not to report to Falcons training camp, six days after a federal grand jury indicted Vick for his alleged sponsorship of an inter-state dog-fighting enterprise. Falcons players were required to report to training camp in Flowery Branch, Ga. Thursday, however Vick was in Richmond, for his arraignment hearing.
In a letter to Vick released Monday night, Goodell wrote: "While it is for the criminal justice system to determine your guilt or innocence, it is my responsibility as commissioner of the National Football League to determine whether your conduct, even if not criminal, nonetheless violated league policies, including the Personal Conduct Policy."
Vick will not be allowed to participate in pre-season camp until the NFL completes its own investigation into the charges. After the NFL has reviewed the facts of the case and the extent of Vick’s involvement, Goodell will make a ruling that will likely determine whether or not Vick will be suspended indefinitely or allowed to play the 2007 season. Goodell, who was announced as the new NFL commissioner on Sept. 1, 2006, has since adopted a clear policy on cleaning up the image of NFL. He has suspended three high-profile players (Adam “Pacman” Jones, Chris Henry and Tank Johnson) in the past year before they had been convicted in a court of law.
Falcons owner Arthur Blank has been ordered not to impose any disciplinary action on Vick until the league completes its investigation. Blank had previously stated that he intended to suspend the quarterback for four games, the maximum penalty allowed for a violation of team policy according to the collective bargaining agreement of 1993. Vick will still receive pay from the Falcons until a ruling has been made.
In a press conference held Tuesday afternoon, Blank expressed disappointment with Vick’s legal troubles as well as surprise with the speed with which the indictment was given. He declined to comment when asked whether or not he thinks Vick will ever play for the Falcons again. In a letter sent out to Falcons fans on July 19, Blank stated: “This is an emotionally charged and complicated matter. There are a wide range of interests and legal issues that need to be carefully considered as we move ahead, including our own need to respect the due process that Michael is entitled to.”
At Tuesday’s press conference, General Manager Rich McKay and first year Head Coach Bobby Petrino reiterated that the team’s singular focus is preparing for the upcoming season. This will be the first time in seven years that the Falcons have gone to training camp without Vick present. If Vick is unable to play in 2007 the Falcons will have to turn to Joey Harrington, the seven year veteran recently acquired from Detroit, or D.J. Shockley, second year quarterback out of the University of Georgia.
Vick’s indictment, which was handed down July 17th, alleges that he and three associates sponsored and ran a dog-fighting ring, named “Bad Newz Kennels,” that procured, trained, and fought pit bulls at a 15-acre property owned by Vick in Surry County. The kennel was supposedly established in 2001, the same year Vick was drafted No. 1 overall in the NFL draft. “Bad Newz Kennels” allegedly hosted fights between their dogs and other kennels from North Carolina, Texas, New York, and Washington, D.C.,
According to the indictment Vick and three others gambled heavily on the fights, sometimes up to $13,000 a fight. The indictment also claims that the kennel executed eight dogs in the month of April for poor performance, using hanging, drowning, electrocution, a .22 caliber pistol, and physical beatings to kill the animals.
While Vick has not been formally accused of executing the dogs himself, the indictment states that he was consulted before the electrocution of at least one of the animals.
In two seasons at Virginia Tech, Vick led the Hokies to a 20-1 record and a BCS national championship appearance in 2000 — his first year as a starter. That year he finished third in the Heisman Trophy voting, matching the highest finish a freshman had ever achieved. He was also named Big East Conference Rookie of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year. His sophomore season was capped off with a win in the Gaytor Bowl, a game in which Vick was named Most Valuable Player. Vick entered the NFL draft after his sophomore season and was drafted No. 1 overall by the Atlanta Falcons.
In the Merryman Center, one of Tech’s athletic facilities, Michael Vick Hall is located on the second floor and holds meetings for the football team. When asked about plans to re-name the hall if Vick is convicted, Associate Athletic Director Tom Gavard stated: “We haven’t talked about it yet. There has not been a discussion on any level.”
In his first season as a starter Vick led the Falcons to the playoffs, winning an NFC wildcard game over the Packers. Two years later he carried the Falcons to the second NFC Championship game in the team’s history, which they lost to the Eagles. In 2004, Vick signed a 10-year extension with the Falcons worth $130 million, making him the highest paid athlete in the NFL. Vick’s jersey was also the second highest selling that year. Last season he became the first quarterback in the history of the NFL to rush for over 1,000 yards in a season.
In the wake of last week’s indictment, several companies that endorse Vick have faced pressure to cut all ties to him. Nike announced on July 19th that they would be suspending the release of the fifth edition of Vick’s signature shoe, the Air Zoom Vick. However, they will allow other merchandise bearing his name to remain available in stores, saying in a public statement: “The company is concerned by the serious and highly disturbing allegations made against Michael Vick, and we consider any cruelty to animals inhumane and abhorrent. We do believe that Michael Vick should be afforded the same due process as any citizen; therefore, we have not terminated our relationship."
PETA (people for the ethical treatment of animals) has become heavily involved in the case. On Monday, local PETA organizations gathered outside the Falcons training facility to protest the NFL’s decision to continue to keep paying Vick until the investigation is complete. Animal rights activists stood outside with dogs and signs that read “Kick Vick” and “Tackle Cruelty.”
The organization also protested outside the NFL offices in New York City last week. The case with Vick has become the centerpiece on the PETA website, with organization officials calling for the NFL to immediately suspend him without pay. The website also offers petitions for visitors to sign that urges Nike to cut all affiliations with the athlete, and are currently selling shirts that read “Sack Vick” and feature the number seven crossed out.
After Tuesday’s press conference, PETA officials announced that they are satisfied with the Falcon’s stance on Vick and consequently will not protest the training facility today as planned. PETA members will instead gather outside a NikeTown store in Atlanta to protest Nike’s continued corporate ties to the quarterback.
Vick will have legal representation throughout his trials from Billy Martin, a high-powered attorney out of Washington D.C. Martin is no stranger to celebrity cases, having represented Allen Iverson, Monica Lewinski, and former Atlanta mayor Bill Campbell.
If convicted, Vick and his associates could face a maximum sentence of $350,000 and six years in prison.
Trial is scheduled for Nov. 26.
One co-defendant, Tony Taylor, has opted for a plea agreement. The hearing for Taylor is scheduled for 9 a.m. Monday.
Attachments:
Vick Indictment
