Michael Vick · 2007 to 2026
Who Let Him Back
You followed Vick from the No. 1 pick to Leavenworth to Monday Night Football. This ByteSize picks up the parts the story moved past fast: the dogs, the laws, his apologies and the money. Then you sit on the review board.
Some second chances are a job. Some are a trophy. Do they deserve the same answer?
Byte 1 · The tape
Run it back
Eight cards from the story. Flip each one to check what you remember.
0 of 8 cards flipped
About 3 to 5 sentences.
Byte 2 · The dogs
What happened to the dogs
Before 2007, dogs taken from fighting rings were usually put down as a group. People assumed they were too dangerous to save. The Vick case was the first time a court agreed to judge each dog one at a time.
A court appointed guardian, law professor Rebecca Huss, oversaw where every dog went. Vick paid $928,073 for their care. Press each step to follow them.
Dogs removed from 1915 Moonlight Road on April 25, 2007.
The dogs became known as the Vicktory dogs. One of them, Jonny Justice, became a therapy dog who sat with kids while they practiced reading out loud. In April 2009 the Humane Society of the United States and Best Friends Animal Society announced that dogs seized from fighting busts should be evaluated one by one instead of put down as a group. The last two known survivors, Jonny Justice and Frodo, died in December 2021.
About 3 to 5 sentences.
Byte 3 · The law
The rules changed around him
Eight days after police searched Vick's property, the president signed a law that had been moving through Congress for years. Federal dogfighting law got tougher three times in seven years. Vick was part of the last push.
Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act
Signed by President George W. Bush on May 3. Moving animals across state lines to fight becomes a felony with up to 3 years in prison.
Farm Bill amendment
Congress raises the maximum federal sentence from 3 years to 5.
Vick on Capitol Hill
Vick lobbies Congress for a bill to punish people who pay to watch dogfights. He says he wants to be part of the solution.
Animal Fighting Spectator Prohibition Act
Signed by President Barack Obama as part of the Farm Bill. Attending a fight becomes a federal crime. Bringing a child under 16 becomes a felony.
Byte 4 · His words
Two apologies
Vick had his talking points written on a note card for the August 2007 press conference. The Humane Society later auctioned the card. The group pointed out that the biggest apology was the one he never gave, to the dogs. Two years later, out of prison, he sat down with James Brown of CBS.
"I want to apologize to all the young kids out there for my immature acts."
"Dogfighting is a terrible thing, and I did reject it."
"I will redeem myself. I have to."
He read a statement and took no questions.
"I should have took the initiative to stop it all. I didn't. I didn't step up."
"I deserved to lose the $130 million."
He answered questions for more than an hour. A lawyer sat in on the interview.
Years after his career ended, Vick sat down with former NFL tight end Shannon Sharpe on the Club Shay Shay podcast. He explained why he kept paying for the operation after he was rich and famous. Watch his answer and listen for whether he is explaining or excusing.
About 3 to 5 sentences.
Byte 5 · The money
The swoosh comes back
Nike signed Vick as a rookie in 2001 and ended his contract in August 2007 after he admitted his role. After prison Nike gave him free gear but no paycheck. Then he had the best season of his life.
CNBC reported it was believed to be the first time a brand had ever come back to an athlete it dropped. Nike's statement said the company did not condone what he did but supported the positive changes he had made.
"If you can ball and if you win, we will forgive you."
Michael Smith on ESPN's Around the Horn, July 1, 2011About 3 to 5 sentences.
Activity · The review board
You make the call
Seven real decisions, from 2009 to today. Some gave Vick a job or a paycheck. Some gave him an honor. Vote on each one. The board below will show you where you drew your line.
Your board, in order
Bars count your Right call votes.
Vote on all seven to see your line.
About 4 to 6 sentences.
Sources. Best Friends Animal Society on the Vick dogs and the last survivors. BAD RAP and the 2009 policy change. Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act of 2007. 18 U.S.C. § 49 and the 2008 amendment. U.S. Attorney's Office on the 2014 spectator law. NPR on the 2007 apology. TMZ on the auctioned note card. AJC on 60 Minutes. Sports Illustrated on the 60 Minutes interview. CNBC and Sports Business Daily on Nike. Videos play from YouTube and are not stored on this site.