NFL News NFL News, Reports and Updates
Michael Vick is reportedly headed to Norfolk State as its next football coach. (Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
On Dec. 10, 2007, Michael Vick walked into a federal courthouse in Richmond, Virginia, chomping gum and rocking bright-white Nike Air Force 1 Mids, which happened to match the stripes on his jailhouse garb.
He was there to be sentenced for his role in a brutal dog-fighting ring, which had cost him his $100 million NFL contract, his record-breaking Nike deal and, most importantly, his freedom. He came across with at least a measure of defiance — if not disbelief — when he should have been, at least for practical purposes, trying to project remorse and responsibility.
Federal prosecutors would soon lay out not just Vick’s crimes in running Bad Newz Kennels, but a list of mindless violations even after he had pleaded guilty and knew all eyes were on him.
While awaiting sentencing, the government argued to Judge Henry E. Hudson, Vick had failed to fully admit to some of his actions, engaged in deceptive practices to cover up others and even smoked marijuana just one night before a scheduled test assuredly would, and did, bust him.
Even his own friends and family in attendance, who saw any incarceration as unnecessary, could only shake their heads. Disappointment hung in the air. This was self-inflicted stuff. All that potential was about to be hailed away to Leavenworth.
Vick had arrived that day facing a sentence of 12-18 months, with speculation he’d get the minimum due to his lack of prior record. If so, he could have been out in a little over 10 months, back in the NFL soon after. Instead his actions and attitude caused the sentencing guideline to jump to 18-24 months.
Vick wound up getting 23, more than any of his co-defendants, many of whom did have priors. Officers soon led him out, cuffed, en route to being caged. His family simply wept. This, they swore, wasn’t him, it wasn’t Mike.
“I’m willing to say that should Michael Vick get another chance…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/michael-vick-to-norfolk-state-the-next-chapter-of-a-redemption-story-011821049.html
Author : Yahoo Sports
Publish date : 2024-12-18 01:18:00
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.
