MICHAEL VICK

Michael Dwayne Vick (born June 26, 1980, in Newport News, Virginia) is a professional American football player under contract by the National Football League (NFL)'s Atlanta Falcons as quarterback. He has been under suspension from play by the NFL since August 2007 and incarcerated in federal prison since December of the same year.

As he grew up in an economically depressed inner-city, Vick became a stand-out high school football player, winning a full 4-year football scholarship to attend Virginia Tech. Leaving college early, he declared for the 2001 NFL Draft and was selected by the Atlanta Falcons. Playing professionally, he set records for both performance and the financial arrangements of his player contracts and commercial product endorsements. In 2006, he was "reportedly one of the top 10 richest athletes in the United States."

In April 2007, discovery of the elaborate dog fighting complex he owned in Surry County, Virginia led to criminal investigations by state and federal authorities, massive publicity, suspension from the NFL, and loss of promotional agreements. Later, federal and state felony charges resulted in convictions under plea agreements, in return for which, additional charges were dropped. He began serving a 23-month federal prison sentence that at the United States Penitentiary, Leavenworth, his Virginia prison sentences and fines were suspended upon condition of good behavior.  He plans to enter a federal half-way house program in early 2009, a procedure often used for transitioning prisoners completing sentences, who are required to work at an "approved job", with federal release likely on July 20, 2009.

After April 2007, his financial affairs were severely affected by lost income, legal expenses, and litigation, worsened by mismanagement and possibly fraudulent actions by a series of friends and financial advisers. In July 2008, he filed a personal reorganization bankruptcy with assets estimated at $16 million, and liabilities of $20 million. However, with current income (from prison work) of less than a dollar a day, he continued spending $30,000 a month to support his mother, brother Marcus, and his three children and their mothers and maintaining multiple luxury homes and vehicles for their use. As part of his bankruptcy reorganization plan, several of his properties including a multi-million dollar estate in an Atlanta suburb will be liquidated, although he plans to retain several in the Hampton Roads area. (The Surry County property had been sold earlier).

Vick's attorneys stated to the bankruptcy court that Vick "has every reason to believe that upon his release, he will be reinstated into the NFL, resume his career and be able to earn a substantial living", which would be the primary source of funds to repay his creditors.  However, some significant obstacles stand in his way, notably the NFL suspension. Falcons owner Arthur Blank stated that he believes in second and even third chances, and expressed hope that "after spending a couple years in jail, he'll come out a different person" and may even play in the NFL again. However, Blank also stated that Vick would not be welcomed back to play for his team, which has "moved on." General manager Thomas Dimitroff has stated that the Falcons are exploring trade scenarios to another NFL club for Vick, who is still under contract until 2013. (via Wikipedia)


From The Blogsphere

Mike Vick Is A Waste Of Time

via gridironexperts.com ( 15 Days ago )
Excitement, anticipation, eagerness. These words don’t do justice to describe the once long awaited return of Michael Vick.  Now that he’s back however, these words have been replaced with melancholy, inaccurate, and out of shape. Michael Vick has been a big waste of time for the Philadelphia Eagles unless he proves himself to be valuable over the second half of the season. Prior [...]

SOMM : It’s Time For Favre To Waffle Over A Real Issue

via cantstopthebleeding.com ( 39 Days ago )
Though former MSG chief Dave Checketts announced earlier today Rush Limbaugh would no longer be part of the former’s group attempting to purchase the NFL’s St. Louis Rams, Sports On My Mind’s MODI notes the recent denounciation of Limbaugh by the Giants’ Mathias Kiwanuka and wonders, “where do ‘white people’ stand on this?”   Well, [...]

Consultants Are Providing High-Profile Inmates a Game Plan for Coping

via nytimes.com ( 43 Days ago )
Plaxico Burress and Michael Vick were among high-profile inmates who hired advisers for the transitions to and from jail.

Michael Vick will have a Documentary on BET

via ballhype.com ( 45 Days ago )
Michael Vick has signed a television deal with BET, Black Entertainment Television, to air in an eight part documentary series about both his life and his comeback attempt with the Philadelphia Eagles. The documentary series is scheduled to air next week. Jump Shot Junkie posted 5 hours ago from betus.com Find more top sports news, videos, and blogs on BallHype: NFL, Michael Vick, [...]

“Michael Vick to star in reality series” morning links

via celebitchy.com ( 45 Days ago )
- Michael Vick to star in reality series [The Blemish] - Katy Perry’s Muppet Dress [Hollywood Rag] - Christie Brinkley and her ex-husband Peter Cook each want the other in jail [PopEater] - Kate Gosselin hypnotizes the paparazzi with her powers (automatic video) [Television.AOL.com] - ‘Predators’ to Hunt Adrien Brody, Topher Grace [Moviefone] - Joe Francis Attack [...]

Michael Vick's reality show is actually happening

via thesuperficial.com ( 46 Days ago )
In case anyone needed further proof that reality TV is the seventh cockring of Satan, Michael Vick is getting his own reality show on BET. But don't worry, it'll be totally serious considering it's essentially a giant PR move... ...read full story

NIKE: NO ‘CONTRACTUAL RELATIONSHIP’ WITH VICK

via uproxx.com ( 51 Days ago )
Nike was quick to refute a report from the camp of Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick. After Michael Principe from Vick’s agency, “BEST,” announced that Vick “actually just became a Nike client” and that he had “a new deal with Nike that we’re all very pleased about,” the Oregon-based shoe and apparel company responded. A statement [...]

Nike: No deal with Vick

via nypost.com ( 52 Days ago )
Nike says it does not have a "contractual relationship" with Michael Vick, a day after the quarterback's agent announced a deal with the manufacturer. In a statement released Thursday morning, Nike says it has "agreed to supply product to Michael Vic...

Nike: We Don't Have Contract With Vick

via ballhype.com ( 52 Days ago )
Posted By: Darren Rovell A day after an official with the agency that represents Michael Vick told a crowded conference in New York City that Vick had recently re-signed with Nike, a Nike spokesman told CNBC that the company has no agreement with the backup Philadelphia Eagles quarterback. ...The National Football Post » Hot News and ... found this 11 hours ago on cnbc.com [...]

Michael Vick signs new sponsorship deal with Nike

via digg.com ( 52 Days ago )
Michael Vick is back with Nike more than two years after the company severed ties over the quarterback's involvement in a dogfighting ring.