Michael Vick Promotes Upcoming Memoir on Dogfighting Scandal on 'Today' (Video)
The disgraced NFL quarterback, who spent 19 months in prison before making a comeback, talked about his experiences with Matt Lauer.
Michael Vick, the star NFL quarterback who spent nineteen months in prison for his role in a dogfighting ring, appeared on the Today Show to promote his memoir about the scandal.
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Finally Free, to be published in Sept, details how Vick was exposed to dogfighting at a young age, which led to a long invovlement in the illegal activity.
Since his release from prison in 2009, Vick has worked with the Humane Society to promote awareness of the cruelty of dogfighting.
He told Today host Matt Lauer, " I was very naive to the consequences, and that's what I don't want to happen to young kids today ... I became an advocate to try and bring awareness to dogfighting to help young kids realize that that's not what is important and it’s not the path that they should take."
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A drug investigation into Vick's cousin led to the discovery of dogfighting on Vick's property in Virginia in April 2007. Vick pleaded guilty to violating federal laws about transporting dogs across state lines fights. He was sentenced to twenty-three months in jail.
The NFL suspended the Atlanta Falcons star indefinitely.
In 2008, Vick declared bankruptcy, stemming from the controversy.
He was released from prison in 2009 and subsequently reinstated to the NFL. The Philadelphia Eagles signed him and in 2010 he became the team's starting quarterback.
See the interview below.
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