Vick Feels 'Disgust' Over Past Behavior
UPDATED (8:40 p.m.)...
Michael Vick said during a televised interview that aired Sunday that he feels "pure disgust" about his behavior that led to him being imprisoned for his role in a dogfighting operation in Virginia, adding that he "deserved" to lose a $130 million contract with the Atlanta Falcons.
"I understand why" people were outraged about his conduct, Vick said during an interview with "60 Minutes" on CBS, "and I will say it again: It sickens me to my stomach. The same feeling I'm feeling right now is what people was feeling... disgust, pure disgust."
Vick's TV interview, conducted by sportscaster James Brown, aired two days after he was introduced by his new team, the Philadelphia Eagles, at a news conference in Philadelphia. The Eagles signed Vick on Thursday. He was conditionally reinstated by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after missing two seasons while imprisoned in Leavenworth, Kan., then on home confinement in Hampton, Va.
"The first day I walked into prison and they slammed that door, I knew the magnitude of the decisions that I made and the poor judgment and what I, you know, allowed to happen to the animals," Vick said. "And, you know, there's no way of explaining the hurt and the guilt that I felt. That was the reason I cried so many nights. [It] put it all into perspective."
Vick said he cried in prison about "what I did, being away from my family, letting so many people down, letting myself down, not being out on the football field, being in a prison bed, in a prison bunk, writing letters home. That wasn't my life. That wasn't the way that things were supposed to be. And all because of the so-called culture that I thought was right, and I thought it was cool and I thought it was fun and exciting. It all led to me laying in a prison bunk by myself, with nobody to talk to but myself."
Asked by Brown who's to blame for his troubles, Vick said: "I blame me."
Vick said he agreed with the assessment that his past conduct showed a lack of moral character.
"It was wrong, man," Vick said. "I don't know how many times I've got to say it. It was wrong. I feel tremendous hurt behind what happened. I should have took the initiative to stop it all, and I didn't. And I feel so bad about that now, and I know that I didn't step up. I wasn't a leader.
"... Regardless of what it was, it doesn't matter. I know why. I know why and regardless of what it was, why I was driven by what was going on or whether it was because of the competition or whatever it may have been, it was wrong."
Vick said he arrived at that feeling "when I was in prison. When I was in prison, I was disgusted because of what I let happen to those animals. I could have put a stop to it. I could have walked away from it. I could have shut the whole operation down."
He allowed the dogfighting operation to continue because, he said, of "not being able to tell certain people around me that, you know, 'We can't do this any more. I'm concerned about my career. I'm concerned about my family.' "
Vick said he's not more concerned now about reviving his NFL career than rectifying the wrongs from his past.
"Football don't even matter.... It don't matter," Vick said. "It don't matter. I deserved to lose that [contract] because of what I was doing. I deserved to lose the $130 million. Why would a guy who was making $130 million and on the flip side [was] killing dogs and doing the wrong things... he don't deserve it."
According to CBS, Vick originally was introduced to dogfighting as an 8-year-old growing up in Newport News, Va., and he said during the interview that "I was very young so I didn't think it was wrong because I seen the older guys condoning it and doing it."
A police officer who once came upon one of the kids' dogfights did nothing about it, Vick said.
"When the guy in the car seen it was two dogs fighting, he got back in the car and he left," Vick said. "So that right there made me kind of feel like, 'Okay, you know, this is not as bad as it may seem.' We didn't think it was bad at the time, and that kind of put a stamp on it."
Vick said he initially lied to Falcons owner Arthur Blank, Goodell and others about the allegations against him in an attempt to preserve his career and wealth.
"I was scared," Vick said. "I knew my career was in jeopardy. I knew I had an endorsement with Nike, and I knew it was gonna be a big letdown. I felt the guilt and I knew I was guilty, and I knew what I had done. And not knowing at the time that actually telling the truth may have been better than, you know, not being honest. And it backfired on me tremendously."
About letting down Blank, Vick said: "I can't even describe the feeling, the hurt deep inside, a hurt that I never felt before, knowing that I disappointed him, knowing that he had given me every opportunity to come to him and reach out whenever I needed him. And he cared about me, and I took it all for granted."
Vick said he knew he had a reputation as a "lazy" player who didn't get the most out of his talent even before his fall from grace, and added of what was said about him earlier in his career: "I was the last guy in the building and the first guy out. I know that. And I hear everything that people say, and that hurt me when I heard it. But I knew it was true."
Vick has made several recent public appearances in connection with an anti-dogfighting campaign by the Humane Society, and vowed to remain committed to that cause.
During and after Friday's news conference in Philadelphia, former Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy, an adviser to Vick, spoke of visiting Vick in prison and talking to him about rediscovering his religious faith. Vick said during Sunday's TV interview that's what enabled him to endure his time at Leavenworth.
"It's the only way I made it through prison," Vick said. "It's the only way I can live life, is having faith and believing in a higher power, believing in God.... People will see my work out there, my work in the community and my work with the Humane Society, and how I really do care now, how I care about animals.... I'm gonna let my actions continue to speak louder than my words. I'm gonna still be involved in the community because I still, regardless of football, will have a voice and can have an impact on kids because I'll be the living example of what not to do."
By
Mark Maske
|
August 16, 2009; 8:15 PM ET
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Posted by: Rubiconski | August 18, 2009 4:32 AM
Wow! So now people are saying that they are former football fans now that Michael Vick is going to suit up again. And some of us are condoning bad behavior by pointing out other bad behavior?
No. We're putting the bad behavior in perspective. Killing deer is legal and has been part of the human existence since day one...and killing dogs or domesticated animals is illegal. Blah blah blah.
Not to condone what Vick did to those dogs, but again...they are animals. Animals don't have the same rights as humans. Animals are property.
It's amazing how strongly some people feel about animal rights and how little about human rights.
Posted by: CapitalCitySports | August 18, 2009 1:58 AM
My wife watched the Monday Night Football pre game show and then disappeared for awhile. Here's what she was doing: a message for some brain dead fools at ESPN and many others too numerous to mention, but a few of them write for the Washington Post....
Apparently with the NFL, it's "business as usual" now that michael vick has been signed by the Eagles. I'm sickened.
The things that sociopath did to those dogs, that included, but wasn't limited to, having "hanged dogs from trees, electrocuted them with jumper cables, held them underwater until they drowned in his swimming pool, and even threw his own family dogs into the fighting pit to be torn to shreds while he laughed" have been completely glossed over by the NFL.
Tonight on the ESPN Monday night football pregame show, the only aspect of vick that was discussed was what impact he will have on the eagles playoff chances. I was even treated to a lecture by Mike Ditka who said that "this kid is one heck of a football player". Then the illustrious Mr. Ditka spoke directly to me and everyone else who was watching and said "all you people out there who are criticizing this kid, give him a chance and get off his back."
Number 1: vick is not a kid. He is a grown man who committed unspeakably heinous acts of evil against living creatures. What would it take for the NFL to shun someone like that? Would he have to do those things to children? Then could we stop talking about his "impact" on football and start talking about his sociopathic tendencies?
Number 2: I do not need to be told when to exercise my right to criticize whoever I want. If I feel that a person who can get out a hose and spray down a dog and then electrocute him needs to be "criticized", by God I'm going to do it. Have you ever seen what happens when a (normal) dog sees a hose come on? He gets excited and wants to play with the water. I imagine vick didn't have too much trouble setting up for unbelievable pain dogs who simply want to please.
As for the "strong male role models" that vick will have on the eagles and with his mentor, Tony Dungy, hmmm, yeah. Andy Reid's two sons are both criminal drug addicts, and Tony Dungy's son is dead. Which "strong male role models" are we talking about again?
Yep, business as usual at the NFL. I thought I would be ok simply not watching Eagles' games. I'm not so sure now. I don't think I'll be able to enjoy watching football at all, knowing that all the NFL is concerned about is what "impact" vick will have on his new team. I'm only interested in seeing what "impact" various teams' defenses will have on vick. That's the "impact" I'm looking forward to.
A former lifelong football fan
Posted by: planesmith | August 17, 2009 8:39 PM
nigga please
i feel disgusted over my own farts whats your point
Posted by: troyaikman | August 17, 2009 4:38 PM
Again, more condoning bad behavior in here by pointing to other bad behavior. Things like "we all are not saints" and "we all have driven drunk before" blah blah blah. You don't condone bad behavior by pointing to other bad behavior. It's stupid and intellectually lazy!!!
That being said, I've found everything he's said and done thus far at the press conference and the interview to be damn near perfect. All the parsing of everything he says is just an excuse to still not want to give him a second chance. He's been forthright, sincere, unscripted, and even brave in my opinion. What do you expect him to say? Do you want him to describe everything in detail and apologize point by point. Give me a break. He paid his dues. If he doesn't toe the line now, then jump on him.
I don't even like Vick (didn't before the dog fighting bc I thought he was a self-absorbed ego maniac and lazy as he admitted), but some of the self righteous people that are still on him are making me root for the guy. And, what really gets me, is I'm sure some of you are Christians, no? Whatever happened to forgiveness???????????????????????????
Posted by: rphilli721 | August 17, 2009 11:09 AM
-- 'We can't do this any more. I'm concerned about my career. I'm concerned about my family.' " --
Where's the part about respecting life?
Posted by: jgluke | August 17, 2009 9:28 AM
Where's the remorse? Michael Vick filed for bankruptcy but now has a PR firm...
The words that came out his mouth were well reheasred and he hasn't changed one bit. The BS about loosing 130m no one in there right mind would say the deserve to loose that much money. The only crying in prison he did was about the money!
Posted by: Ardella1 | August 17, 2009 9:06 AM
People commit crimes in this country all the time from Madoff to Vick. We scream about punishing people for their crimes and making sure they are rehabilitated in prison so upon their release they can become productive citizens. Vick's crimes were horrible and he has paid a high price for his stupidity and rightly so. Now, everyone needs to backoff a bit and let this man make up for his mistakes through his actions. Let's see if he's for real in terms of leading his life in a better from his release going forward. He's a much better asset to society working with the youth of this society fighting against dog fighting than rotting any longer in a prison cell and or digging ditches along route 215 in rural Va. Now, Madoff that's another story he needs to rot in jail until he punches his ticket and where he ends up is up to a higher authority. Would I use him as a financial planner if he were released from prison no way! If you don't like the fact that Vick is playing for the Eagles then change the channel to another game you have choices in life but it's time to let this human being try and move on with their life. I'd focus some of the hate towards those Japanese harpoon ships that are kiling thousands of endangered whales in the name of research.
www.discoverychannel.com
Posted by: JaimerVTHokie | August 17, 2009 8:59 AM
Posted by: marvin68 | August 16, 2009 9:57 PM
I totally agree with you, Marvin. God bless you for your view! God can use Vick the same way He had with Paul of Tarsus.
Posted by: RedCherokee | August 17, 2009 8:12 AM
While most of us have not done anything as heinous as what Vick did, who among us are saints? I'm sure a huge majority of the American population has driven under the influence of alcohol at least once. I'm a dog lover and have two poms, my first dog is buried in my backyard and even has a little tombstone. That being said everyone short of human murderers and child molesters deserve a second chance in my opinion. I think as long as Vick continues to work with the humane society and educates people that this is not okay he could maybe save a few dogs lives. Only time will tell
Posted by: kitzdakat | August 17, 2009 7:59 AM
Animals that were killed for sport. Deer are killed for sport too but I don't see anybody going to jail for that.
Posted by: CapitalCitySports
_____
Thanks for showing your utter lack of intelligence. One, deer hunting is not *illegal* and has been part of the human existence since day one. Two, killing domesticated dogs is *illegal*. Finally, if were not for his lying to the feds in an attempt to cover up his illegal operation, which also involved illegal gambling, he probably would have been punished, but most likely it would not have involved 2 years in jail or whatever it was. He dug his own grave. The last thing you want is the feds on your a$$ and the last thing you want to do is lie to the feds on top of everything else. So, go find another lame unintelligent argument.
I personally don't like deer hunting and other hunting when it's just for sport, but ever then there is some good like keeping populations of certain animals from exploding. Dog fighting and killing dogs is just gross period. And, final comment on your unintelligent argument, never condone bad behavior by pointing to other bad behavior (if you consider legal hunting bad behavior). It's philosophy 101.
Posted by: rphilli721 | August 17, 2009 1:31 AM
All you Michael Vick haters/so-called dog lovers make me sick. I'm sure Vick is sorry he got caught. Who wouldn't be? Sure, what he did to those dogs was despicable, but they were after all animals. Animals that were killed for sport. Deer are killed for sport too but I don't see anybody going to jail for that. Since when is a dog's life equal to that of a human any way? I bet you are sorry when you get caught speeding or cheating on your wife. Does the fact that you got caught make you any less sorry? Are you gonna speed again? Probably? Cheat again? Possibly? Especially if you think you can get away with it. Is Michael Vick gonna participate in dog fighting again. I think not. Who's the better person? You can boycott Michael Vick and/or the Philadelphia Eagles all you want, but until you start boycotting hunters and slaughter houses you're just another hypocrit as far as I'm concerned. So do what you gotta do, but don't think it's gonna make a d@#n difference. It's only gonna make YOU feel better, because people like you make yourselves feel better by putting others down.
Posted by: CapitalCitySports | August 17, 2009 12:20 AM
I watch the interview and thought it went as well as Vick could expected. We have a lot of judgmental people ,that do not reflect the views of the majority of society, who like to spew their hatred via anonymous threads such as this. The open thread has become the devil's playground and unfortunately some publications, such as ESPN, cater to that crowd.
I for one get on my knees every morning and pray for the forgiveness of my self and the world in general and would be a hypocrite not to offer that same forgiveness to M Vick. I'll base any further opinions on him based on his future actions.
That same people condemning Vick's actions are also saying things like they hopes he rots in hell. Does that make them a better person. Where's the compassion that you say he should have shown the dogs???
Also hats off to the writer of this article. It was nice to be able to read and article for a change that didn't have the authors take on it. Not enough people think for themselves in todays time(see "death Panels") and just run with whatever they are fed.
Posted by: marvin68 | August 16, 2009 9:57 PM
The man is sorry he got caught, that it cost him money and prestige and time playing football....
I heard on the evening news how he had a "PR" person work on him -- how to show "remorse," say "I'm sorry," etc. Everything to clean up his image.
The NFL should have banned him for life.
However, since greed prevails, my family will be boycotting the Phil. Eagles in every way and every company that sponsors them on any venue --
The only job Vick should have is cleaning up animal messes for minimum wage.
Posted by: abby0802 | August 16, 2009 9:34 PM
This man is not going to punch a time clock and work on an assembly line in some factory. He is a sports figure with adulation and endorsements. That means he is looked up to.This man tortured dogs over and over and over...
Not a momentary laps in judgment not a mistake. He laughed with his buddies, bet and did it again and again.
Brown failed to ask Vick about Bait dogs. How cruel, unfathomable.
Puppies… Stray dogs.. Tape their mouth shut… Rip em up… Bait
Posted by: cawren | August 16, 2009 9:14 PM
The Dog Killer showed remorse for his troubles, but he distanced himself from the facts in the case, with words like "mistake" & "bad judgment". And that "not showing leadership" segment was a Hoot! He was the leader. Sorry but torturing & butchering helpless dogs for 6 years isn't a mistake or bad judgment. He's all wrapped up with himself. He got a pass on this which I find regrettable. The neighborhood kids see him as getting a sweet deal & I agree. All I can do is boycott the corporate sponsors which is a pain, but I owe my dog that much. I can't abide seeing my hard earned money supporting dog killing.
Posted by: SWTrevor | August 16, 2009 9:11 PM
The comments to this entry are closed.
That was the most pathetic interview on 60 minutes I have ever seen. There were no tough questions and man was MV ever cocky. In addition, they needed to show more graphic pics of the dogs…it was not an accurate representation of the dogs that were horribly tortured and mauled.
This is a grown man who can’t string enough simple words together to make a complete, grammatically complete sentence, yet he uses words like ‘pinnacle of my career?’ This was such a phony interview, but then what would you expect when the interviewer and interviewee are best buds. CBS and the Humane Society of the US should be ashamed of themselves for what they’ve done.
60 minutes merely provided a forum for Vick to promote himself. Pathetic…he is evil.