“After consulting with his family over the weekend. Michael Vick ask that I announce today that he has reached an agreement with Federal prosecutors regarding the charges pending against him. Mr. Vick has agreed to enter a plea of Guilty to those charges and to accept full responsibility for his actions and the mistakes he has made. Michael wishes to apologizes again to everyone who has been hurt by this matter. The legal team and Mr. Vick will appear in court in Richmond on August 27th.”
Vick’s attorneys hope to hear back from National Football League Commissioner Roger Goodell’s office sometime Monday about Vick’s career options, sources said.
That last part’s the real news. According to the Virginian-Pilot, prosecutors are expected to ask for at least a year in prison so a season-long suspension isn’t really going to cut it here. Vick allegedly told Goodell in July that he was innocent, too:
“His comments to me were very consistent with what he has said publicly: That he does not have any interest in that, that it wasn’t happening at his property, and that was his discussion,” Goodell said. “And I was very clear with him that if it’s happening on your property, it’s your responsibility.”
Exit question: Lifetime suspension? I can’t believe they’d torpedo one of the top two or three talents in the league. Then again, if the fallout’s already this bad…
Update: The prosecutors reportedly want 18 to 36 months; Vick’s lawyers are trying to get them down under a year. The maximum is five years.
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