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RICHMOND, Virginia - Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick was solemn as he pleaded guilty in federal court on Tuesday (NZ time) in a dogfighting case almost certain to wreck his football career.
Standing ramrod straight, Vick said "guilty" when asked by US District Judge Henry Hudson how he would plead to the charges of conspiracy in connection with an illegal, interstate dogfighting enterprise.
Hudson said he would sentence the 27-year-old football star on December 10.
Vick spoke very little, saying only "yes, sir" or "no, sir" in response to questions from the judge.
After the hearing, his lawyer, Billy Martin, said Vick would make a statement soon.
"I think you will find he will talk about the acceptance of responsibility, talk about what he hopes will occur at probation," Martin told reporters outside the courthouse.
Vick has admitted he took part in an illegal, interstate dogfighting enterprise known as Bad Newz Kennels from 2001 through April 2007.
In the court documents, Vick said he knew dogs that did not perform well were killed and admitted to being involved in the killing of at least eight dogs earlier this year.
He said he bought property in Virginia to serve as the main staging area for housing and training pit bulls that took part in the dogfighting venture.
Vick, who has been suspended indefinitely by the National Football League, faces a maximum of five years in prison, a fine of US$250,000 ($355,770) and three years of supervised release.
Prosecutors have asked the judge to sentence Vick to between 12 and 18 months in prison if Vick co-operates with the government.
Hudson reminded Vick that he was not bound by the suggested sentence.
"I place a lot of importance on the government recommendation but I want it understood that I am not bound by that part of the plea agreement," Hudson said in court. "The decision is mine in regard to sentencing."
"If I decide you deserve five years, you'll get five years and you can't appeal that. Do you understand that?" Hudson asked.
"Yes, Sir," Vick responded.
After the plea agreement was made public last week, Nike Inc terminated its contract with Vick, calling the dogfighting enterprise "abhorrent." Nike had previously suspended the release of a new Michael Vick shoe that had been set to hit stores this month and Reebok stopped selling his jerseys.
Dozens of demonstrators cheered and booed Vick, who signed a 10-year, US$130 million contract with the Falcons in 2004.
Fancy Allen, a bank worker in Richmond and owner of a Great Dane, lamented that Vick had not properly used his "God-given talent."
"He threw it all away," she said. "He needs to be held accountable for the murder of those dogs."
There also were supporters among the crowd, a group of which chanted "We love Mike!".
"I'll continue to support Michael Vick until he dies," said Shawn Dodson, who was wearing Vick's No 7 football jersey. "I just want him to play football again. I think he should serve his time and be given a chance to play."
Vick's decision to plead guilty came after his three co-defendants made their own plea deals with the understanding they would testify against the quarterback.
Dogfighting, in which two dogs bred to fight are placed in a pit to attack each other for spectators' entertainment and gambling, is illegal in the United States.
Prosecutors charged that dogs sometimes fought to the death and that some underperforming animals had been shot, drowned, hanged, electrocuted or killed by being slammed to the ground.
Vick, one of the most dynamic players in the NFL, said he knew that mediocre dogs were killed from 2002 to 2007 and was involved in at least the killing of eight of them.
"All of those dogs were killed by various methods, including hanging and drowning," the documents said. "These dogs all died as a result of the collective efforts" of him and his partners.
The top pick in the 2001 NFL draft out of Virginia Tech, Vick has made more than US$61 million in his six NFL seasons.
A rare talent who threw for 20 touchdowns and ran for more than 1000 yards last season for the Falcons, he has been heavily criticised in the media and by animal rights groups.
- REUTERS
