Quirky - yes, it is national news, but it's local news here as well. I live in the area and am sick to death of hearing about it. But finally he is sentenced! His lawyer said he could be out in 18 months? I was thinking it would be less than a year because of getting half-time off for good behavior? Maybe I was wrong in my thinking.

Anyway, I expect to hear nothing but the Vick case for a few more days then hopefully it will stop. You haven't been able to pick up a newspaper or turn on the news without reading or hearing something about it on almost a daily basis.

The news reports here in KC say he has to do a minimum of 80% of the 23 months---no chance for parole earlier than that. He turned himself in before Thanksgiving---so if he does the 80% he would actually spend about 18 months. Then the parole.

The states could bring state charges---the Federal charges were not for the actual dog fighting matters---shich are what the states would pursue if they choose. I heard Virginia has enough charges to ask for 40 years in jail.

Anyway, he has really destroyed his life---so justice is served.

Justice is served? Hardly. Unless he does something heinous in prison (quite possible given his temperament) and is forced to continue his sentence.

It's too bad it wasn't 23 years....Let's hope he doesn't become a "hero" to some, while in prison...What a terrible role model....I don't like seeing it in the news but I kept thinking if it was taken off the front page, people might forget and it would be swept under the carpet....This cruel "sport" has to be stopped.....

Quite the contrary, irishdancersgram. I remember hearing that the inmates will probably treat him as though he had young children fighting to the death. And I predict he will have a very sore rear end after the first night in the pen.

It is entirely probable that had Vick not have been so well known, he might have not been prosecuted at all. There are lots of people who like dog fighting---there are cases where law enforcement personnel have been involved in the practice.

The sentence he got was extraordinary in view of the situation and his involvement. I am a bit surprised he got that much time----and if the states do not press charges, he will be very lucky indeed. But, the loss of his career and popularity---easily over a million dollars----that is a much more severe punishment than any other person has ever suffered for a conviction of that nature. Most people get off much easier.

Go to a large puppy mill---you will see much more disturbing sights. Female dogs whose pelvis is broken to facilitate birthing. Dogs with sores due to lack of care and others starved to death from lack of attention.

Those are good points. He sufficiently pissd off the judge by lying about killing two dogs, which he did by drowning and hanging and also did some drugs. That came as a surprise to many people. Why, I don't know since he was stopped at the Miami airport last year for having marijuana in a water bottle and tried to sneak in on an airplane. The evidence was mysteriouly lost and the problem went away and everyone but myself apparently forgot about that. Drug smuggling should be grounds for dismissal from the league.

I remember hearing that the inmates will probably treat him as though he had young children fighting to the death.

While it would be nice... I'm afraid that to the prison population, he may emerge as a hero. There are plenty of people who still think that what he did is OK. The initial reaction of his teammates was pretty telling of that. A better sentence would be solitary.

"Even though this is a light sentence..."

Actually, sentencing guidelines called for 18-24 months and the prosecutor wanted 24 months, so 23 months is harsher than someone would typically get. But I imagine you meant "light sentence" in terms of what the law SHOULD be rather than the reality of what it is. Animal abusers get off FAR too lightly, IMO.

I think a pack of wild dogs should be let loose on him.

Actually, what I would like to see happen to this neanderthal,is have his hands tied to his ankles, so he is bent over and there is a big dude in prison who takes a fancy to him. But what will probably will happen is he will be some kind of "hero" because he is a ball jockey. I'll never understand worshipping someone just because he/she plays a GAME. JMO

It is a pity we have lost key values in society. He is a criminal and has been put in prison. But many TV channels/ people in the media are talking about how he is going to get back to the game. Why should he allowed play? I have worked for 25 + years and the first thing the employers do before hiring is to do a criminal background check. If you have any criminal record, forget about getting a job.

In this case, this guy is a convicted criminal as well as drug user, and i am sick of those idiots who talk about how he is going to get back to game

Look the torture he had done to dogs, you could never pardon this guy. Sad, this is the society we are part of.

There wouldn't be too much sports going on if they canned every player with a criminal record. From a decent human being's perspective, I think they should have fired him after the marijuana thing. Just because he's a role model to people that will want to emulate him. From a businessman perspective, I would have him play again because he made a lot of money for the franchise and the league and was a talented player. It's probably safe to say that in 2 years this story will largely be forgotten, unlike with OJ simpson who lost everything and was doomed for eternal conviction in the court of public opinion.

So to accurately predict what the future holds for his career, one must first determine the primarily reason the NFL exists today. Personally I think it is to make billions of dollars each year. If the ex-con version of Vick is no longer capable of the record breaking maneuvers on the field then they will probably drop him like a sack of potatoes. Otherwise I think he will make a comeback at least for a little while.

I refuse to believe that there are no better players, so we need to have criminals in the team. Because we tolerate this type of activity, we end up with many criminals in sports

We have Zero tolerance in schools for Children, why Can't adults follow the same rule.

While he enjoys prison life, let the general population have their fun with him, let him eat all that "good" starchy food and gain lots and lots of extra pound and in the end, not be able to waddle across the field....The man's a moron, to have that talent and do what he did, something wrong upstairs....But most of these so called super heroes, think they can do no wrong.....I agree with the previous poster, there has to be someone that can take his place, we don't need the criminals....Just thinking about him and those poor dogs sends my BP sky high!

I was kinda surprised that he wasn't able to buy his way out of justice the way most rich people do, and the way he did before with the drug thing (I don't think the evidence got "lost" without financial benefit to someone). I was also surprised that anyone testified against him. Here there are always tons of witnesses to dog fighting, but somehow when it comes time to prosecute none can be found and the jerk is let go due to lack of evidence. The cops never actually *see* a dog fight (supposedly).

I hope that enough people remember what he did when he gets out of prison and lets the NFL know that they will not tolerate that kind of person in the league. I know I plan to do that. The NFL won't do anything that would cost them money, so if people threaten to boycott at least his team, they may think twice.

If you look at the poll results from (myfoxatlanta.com) surveying viewers on p unishment, there's basically two types of people. Those that want him burned at the stake and the other half dont want any punishment. He's got more support than most celebs. but not many people chose light punishment

Finally- a judge that took this seriously. I hope he gets in prison what many child molesters get- beat up, a heavy dose of 'rear enders'. Unfortuneately, I bet he will get put in an area that will 'protect' him. Instead of just being po'd, we must demand that he be barred from playing again, banned from as many things that we can. How will we do this? Writing the state congress? The NFL? If any of you know where to contact, I would appreciate the addresses. We have to do something, griping doesn't put a dent in his lifestyle. I put him in the same catagory as OJ Simpson.

But unlike OJ simpson, Vick confessed and was convicted.

I don't understand the opinion...

"the loss of his career and popularity---easily over a million dollars----that is a much more severe punishment than any other person has ever suffered for a conviction of that nature. Most people get off much easier. "

I don't agree. The average Joe when convicted of such a crime...loses his job and reputaion. Maybe this does not amount to millions...but ask average Joe if he has lost any less than Mr Vick. The criminals salary does not figure into the punishment.

I do not think the punishment was severe enough. Just because he stands to loose millions because of bad PR This does not equate punishment. The dogs did not know they were owned by a millionaire.