Judge Accepts Vick Dogfighting Guilty Plea; Vick Apologizes

RICHMOND, VA. (AP) – Michael Vick apologized to the NFL and his Atlanta Falcons teammates Monday for “using bad judgment and making bad decisions” and vowed to redeem himself of charges in a dogfighting case.

Shortly before making his first public statements, the star quarterback pleaded guilty to a federal dogfighting charge and awaited a Dec. 10 sentencing date that likely will send him to prison.

“First I want to apologize for all the things that I’ve done and that I have allowed to happen,” Vick said at a news conference following his appearance in U.S. District Court. “I made a mistake in using bad judgment and making bad decisions,” he said.

“Dogfighting is a terrible thing.” He concluded by saying, “I offer my deepest apologies to everyone. And I will redeem myself. I have to.”

Vick took no questions.

He said little in court, softly answering “Yes, sir” and “No, sir” to U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson’s questions. Family members occupied the front row of the packed courtroom for the 15-minute hearing.

The plea by the suspended quarterback was accepted by Hudson, who asked: “Are you entering the plea of guilty to a conspiracy charge because you are in fact guilty?”

Vick answered yes.

By LARRY O’DELL Associated Press Writer

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)