Later this morning, in a Richmond, Va. courtroom, Falcons star quarterback Michael Vick will plead guilty to charges related to an illegal dogfighting operation, the next step in what could be Vick's permanent ouster from the NFL.
Vick already submitted a written plea agreement Friday, triggering NFL commissioner Roger Goodell's indefinite suspension without pay. So today's hearing will have no further effect on his football future, which looks bleak at best.
But the worst might not be over for Vick. He still faces the possibility of being charged with dogfighting crimes at the state level, and if the prosecution is successful, Vick could be incarcerated for a period of time that would make any thoughts of an NFL comeback moot.
A sad, sad day in NFL history, to be sure. But hopefully a cautionary tale for other athletes who might consider themselves above the law because they are so physically gifted and so handsomely rewarded for playing a game. Vick thought he could get away with his heinous actions, simply because he was an NFL star. Later this morning, he will be reminded yet again that no amount of touchdown passes can wipe away the murderous behavior that will in all likelihood end his football career.
Comments (1)
murderous behavior that will in all likelihood end his football career
Murder is the killing of another person with malice aforethought. Vick's behavior is deplorable enough without embellishment.