Vick files for bankruptcy

[Beantown Bronco]

Talk about pissing it all away......

RICHMOND, Va.—Imprisoned quarterback Michael Vick filed for bankruptcy protection while serving time for federal dogfighting charges, saying he owes between $10 million and $50 million to creditors.

Vick filed Chapter 11 papers in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Newport News on Monday. The seven largest creditors listed in the court papers are owed a total of about $12.8 million.

The suspended Atlanta Falcons quarterback hopes he "can, after the conclusion of the bankruptcy case, rebuild his life on a personal and spiritual level, resurrect his image as a public figure, and resolve matters with the NFL such that he can resume his career," according to the filings.

Vick is serving a 23-month prison sentence at the U.S. Penitentiary in Leavenworth, Kan., after pleading guilty last year to bankrolling a dogfighting ring. He was subsequently suspended indefinitely without pay and lost all his major sponsors, including Nike. He also faces state charges related to dogfighting.

The debt includes part of a signing bonus that the Falcons are seeking to recover.

After the plea on dogfighting charges, the Falcons tried to recover about $20 million in bonuses Vick earned from 2004 to 2007. But a federal judge held that Vick is entitled to keep all but $3.75 million of the money paid to him for playing football through the 2014 season.

According to the filings, Vick's other debts include $4.5 million owed to Richmond-based Joel Enterprises Inc., and $550,0000 owed to Radtke Sports Inc. for breach of contract.

In May, a federal judge ordered Vick to repay about $2.5 million to a Canadian bank for defaulting on a loan. The Royal Bank of Canada had sued Vick in September, arguing his guilty plea to a federal dogfighting charge -- and the resulting impact on his career -- prevented him from repaying the loan.

A default judgment for $1.08 million also was entered in January against Vick and a business partner in a lawsuit brought by Wachovia Bank over a loan for an Atlanta-area wine shop and restaurant.

[NaptownChief]

Poor Ron Mexico.

[Doggcow]

**** him.

[Florida_Bronco]

Smart move.

[orinjkrush]

hope he gets F***ed.

doggie style.

[Kaylore]

hope he gets ****ed.

doggie style.

Justice has many faces.

And there is no way he plays in the NFL again.

[epicSocialism4tw]

Wow.

This is what happens when thug life meets affluence.

[Bronco Jamus]

Justice has many faces.

And there is no way he plays in the NFL again.

Absolutely a done deal in my opinion.

[watermock]

Good riddance...he was a crappy qb anyway, he COULD turn a broken play into a big play, but talk about uncoachable...

Try as they might to idolize him nonetheless....

Hopefully BM has woken up.

Edit: oops never mind

[tsiguy96]

Justice has many faces.

And there is no way he plays in the NFL again.

if leonard little and ray lewis can play in the NFL, michael vick is a shoe-in to come back and play

[DomCasual]

I'm a big animal lover, and dog-fighting disgusts me.

That said, I think what Michael Vick has gone through is a bit over the top.

[DomCasual]

Justice has many faces.

And there is no way he plays in the NFL again.

I don't know, man. I think he'll get another chance. I'm not sure how good he'll be - but I think someone will give him a shot.

I wonder if he'd be willing to play something other than QB.

[ohiobronco2]

Oh, poor poor Mikey.

[WoodMan]

Great news. He has outdone even Iron Mike in losing his fortune and it couldn't happen to a nicer guy IMO.

[Los Broncos]

Sad man, all gone just for some dogs.

[Willynowei]

He deserves the penalty. But he also deserves another shot to play in the league.

[broncosteven]

Did anyone watch that crappy ESPN "Townmeeting?" they held in Atlanta?

I saw a few minutes of it and thought the fat white guy from Outside the lines was gonna get killed.

Vick could have raped their daughters and they would have defended him.

[FireFly]

I hate what he did, and I never liked him as player - I could NEVER barrack for him no matter who he was playing against.

I wouldn't be suprised at all if he gets another chance in the league, maybe as a backup to start with. But if he can get reinstated, there will be a team out there that is willing to take a flyer on him. I'd puke if it were the Bronocos though.

[tsiguy96]

broncos wouldnt touch him, hes not our style player.

[gunns]

I'm a big animal lover, and dog-fighting disgusts me.

That said, I think what Michael Vick has gone through is a bit over the top.

Not me. I'm thrilled the people are finally recognizing animal abuse as a big deal. The depravity shown by these abusers is the scary part. I cheered loudly when Utah made it a felony. And the guy who dumped those puppies in the dumpster is going to prison. Granted he had a drug charge but possession rarely carries a 5 year sentence, expect for distribution, and I don't believe that's what it was. Kudo's to the Judge who also gave him an additional 6 months for the puppy that survived.

[Northman]

Good.

[Taco John]

He deserves the penalty. But he also deserves another shot to play in the league.


Who would give it to him? He's a terrible quarterback, and now he's losing two years. There's only one other position that he could be used for, and that's wide out. I don't know about anyone else, but the thought of Michael Vick running a crisp route seems laughable to me.

Maybe he can coax Cowher out of retirement. Outside of that, his hopes to come back seem silly to me.

[TheDave]

couldn't happen to a better guy...

[BroncoBuff]

couldn't happen to a better guy...
What he did was an abomination, but a) he was sentenced more harshly because of who he is, and b) to fall as far as he's fallen, there has to be some level of compassion or empathy. Not forgveness, but empathy.

[TheDave]

What he did was an abomination, but a) he was sentenced more harshly because of who he is, and b) to fall as far as he's fallen, there has to be some level of compassion or empathy. Not forgveness, but empathy.
I completely understand what you are saying... BUT... I have absolutely no problem enjoying this particular ride into oblivion.

[epicSocialism4tw]

What he did was an abomination, but a) he was sentenced more harshly because of who he is, and b) to fall as far as he's fallen, there has to be some level of compassion or empathy. Not forgveness, but empathy.

Empathy doesnt mean giving the guy a job and a jersey again. Sometimes you have to start over. It doesnt mean that you dont hope that he turns himself around just as you hope anyone does. It does mean that you keep him the heck off of your TV and away from the thousands of fatherless kids in this country who model themselves after male role models they see in media.

I cringe whenever I see the inner-city black kids I hang out with a few times a week wearing Micheal Vick paraphenalia and swinging Vick footballs around.

Last Christmas we gave them all footballs. I had several Vick footballs to choose from and went every possible route to use another in its place.

This is exactly the type of role model that these kids do not need.

[Popps]

He deserves the penalty. But he also deserves another shot to play in the league.

Really?

I thought the NFL was a business. I didn't know they were a charitable, rehabilitation organization. Are they partially government funded? Do they serve as some sort of half-way house for felons?

That's weird, I thought they were a business serving the needs of their fans and reserved the right to refuse convicted, violent felons jobs within their company.

Hear that, folks? Dog-killer "deserves" things when he gets out.

Wow, I hope society bends over backwards far enough for him once he serves his reduced sentence.

[DomCasual]

Not me. I'm thrilled the people are finally recognizing animal abuse as a big deal. The depravity shown by these abusers is the scary part. I cheered loudly when Utah made it a felony. And the guy who dumped those puppies in the dumpster is going to prison. Granted he had a drug charge but possession rarely carries a 5 year sentence, expect for distribution, and I don't believe that's what it was. Kudo's to the Judge who also gave him an additional 6 months for the puppy that survived.

Yeah, I see it a little differently.

I'll qualify this by saying I am a bleeding heart when it comes to animals. I love animals more than I love most people. So, it isn't as if I am insensitive to their plight.

That being said...

What Michael Vick did is part of his culture. Granted, it's an ignorant culture. But he doesn't have the same perspective about it as you or I might. That doesn't mean he shouldn't be punished. But I don't think he was punished fairly, based on the context of the crime.

We stayed down at the Provo Marriott last week for the big 4th of July festivities. On Thursday night, we ended up going to the K-Mart on University Avenue to pick up a few things. When we went to park, we noticed a little dog locked in the car next to us. The thermometer on my car read 101 degrees - way too hot, in other words, to have an animal in a car for any amount of time. I sent my family in, and told them I was going to wait until the people came out. I figured they must be just running in to get something quick; but I still felt I should say something to them about how dangerous it was to leave a dog in that situation - even for just a few minutes.

Well, I waited. And I waited. And I waited. I finally ended up calling the police after about a half hour (they never showed up). Finally, this woman comes out with two little boys. By now, I had worked up a pretty good head of steam, and I really let her have it. She was from somewhere Russia-ish, based on her accent. She told me to mind my own business - which just set me off more. After she was in her car, I kept basically yelling at her. She rolled down her window and screamed, "When you buy a dog, you can do whatever you want to it. I paid for this dog! Worry about your own dog, and I'll worry about mine!"

I was shocked. But as I thought about it that night, it occurred to me that her perspective was likely a lot different than mine. I have no idea what her past is like. She obviously looks at a dog as something of a commodity - no different, really, than an iPod or a cell phone. In that sense, she was probably quite shocked by my reaction to the way she was treating her "property."

That doesn't make leaving a little dog in a burning hot car right. But it does give perspective. I think it's pretty analogous to Michael Vick's situation. He deserved a punishment that would teach him a lesson - not one that would ruin him.

Sorry for the long post.

[TDmvp]

http://www.baltimorereporter.com/vick.bmp

[Popps]

in a burning hot car right. But it does give perspective. I think it's pretty analogous to Michael Vick's situation. He deserved a punishment that would teach him a lesson - not one that would ruin him.

Sorry for the long post.

You sort of answered your own questions in your post.

Ignorance isn't really an excuse for breaking written law, and most civilized people will find it hard to sign onto the "they're just too stupid to know any better" defense.

I know you said you agreed with the punishment, so I'm not trying to state otherwise. I'm just saying that killing people is very much a part of certain culture in this and other countries, as well. Civilized people should consider it their duty to combat this mindset.

The only thing I'll say for Vick is that there are people in the league still playing (Leonard Little in specific) who have done far worse than him and somehow got off scott-free.

You're right, Vick just deserves the punishment he got. People have done worse, though that doesn't make his actions any more forgivable.

Beyond that, he should be banned from the league... speaking as a fan. We've got enough garbage pissing all over the sport without inviting more back in after their prison-time.

[Killericon]

Really?

I thought the NFL was a business. I didn't know they were a charitable, rehabilitation organization. Are they partially government funded? Do they serve as some sort of half-way house for felons?

That's weird, I thought they were a business serving the needs of their fans and reserved the right to refuse convicted, violent felons jobs within their company.

Hear that, folks? Dog-killer "deserves" things when he gets out.

Wow, I hope society bends over backwards far enough for him once he serves his reduced sentence.

People act as if it's these guys' right to play in the NFL. As if they should be judged by the same standards as us. As if our right to live a (mostly)normal life when we get out equates to these guys getting THEIR lives back.

**** THAT ****. If you're being payed millions of dollars to play a sport for a living, then you should live by higher standards than us.

Am I fine with him being able to get a job when he gets out? Sure. Let him live the life of a normal convicted felon. I'm fine with it. ****, he can play Arena football. Vick has paid his dues to his country and to society at large. For betraying his fans, however, he has yet to begin serving his sentence.

[Killericon]

He deserved a punishment that would teach him a lesson - not one that would ruin him.

He isn't ruined as a person. He's plenty capable of picking up the pieces, and living out a normal-ish life.

He did, however, deserve a punishment that would ruin him as a pro athlete.

[Popps]

People act as if it's these guys' right to play in the NFL. As if they should be judged by the same standards as us. As if our right to live a (mostly)normal life when we get out equates to these guys getting THEIR lives back.

**** THAT ****. If you're being payed millions of dollars to play a sport for a living, then you should live by higher standards than us.

Am I fine with him being able to get a job when he gets out? Sure. Let him live the life of a normal convicted felon. I'm fine with it. ****, he can play Arena football. Vick has paid his dues to his country and to society at large. For betraying his fans, however, he has yet to begin serving his sentence.



Perfect post from top to bottom.

It's amazing how crystal clear this situation really is, and how people still want to distort it.

[NaptownChief]

What Michael Vick did is part of his culture. Granted, it's an ignorant culture. But he doesn't have the same perspective about it as you or I might.



Shooting people is part of gang culture also but that doesn't change the results that they deserve.

Ignorance is not a legitimate excuse for violent and malicious behavior.

If a person isn't smart enough to know and act better then they do deserve to be put in a cage like an animal because that is what they are.

[DomCasual]

Shooting people is part of gang culture also but that doesn't change the results that they deserve.

Ignorance is not a legitimate excuse for violent and malicious behavior.

If a person isn't smart enough to know and act better then they do deserve to be put in a cage like an animal because that is what they are.

Mitigating circumstances are almost always taken into account in a sentence. It doesn't justify a crime, but it can dramatically affect sentencing.

And again, I am not arguing he shouldn't be punished. I am just saying a little human compassion might be in order.

[Merlin]

Shooting people is part of gang culture also but that doesn't change the results that they deserve.
Oppressing, beating and even killing women for minor acts is an accepted practise in some legal cultures, but they sure as hell better not expect to practise that culture here. For that matter, they better not expect special consideration if they have lived a number of yrs in NA (some would reasonably argue that the right to special treatment was never there the minute they stepped on NA territory).

Note: NA in this context excludes Mexico since they clearly still have issues with their treatment of women.

[kappys]

While I can support some of the sentiments it can hardly be claimed that what Vick did was worse than what we routinely do to cattle and hogs. These animals are on the same level or possibly superior to dogs in intellectual capacity. What about animal research? Eating meat? Fur? What about societies where dogs are viewed primarily as food?

[BroncoBuff]

http://www.baltimorereporter.com/vick.bmp
ROFL! Droopy Dawg is my favorite ... Gew get umm, dwoopy ^^^^

[Beantown Bronco]

While I can support some of the sentiments it can hardly be claimed that what Vick did was worse than what we routinely do to cattle and hogs. These animals are on the same level or possibly superior to dogs in intellectual capacity. What about animal research? Eating meat? Fur?

Vick's actions were worse because they were illegal actions. Those you cite above are all LEGAL in the U.S.

What about societies where dogs are viewed primarily as food?

Last time I checked, Vick doesn't live or play football in any of those countries. Would you defend Vick if he was found guilty of having sex with a 12 year old boy, just because there are parts of the world where it is common practice?

[Hogan11]

http://www.baltimorereporter.com/vick.bmp

What an awesome cartoon....it's even better than the Shanahan cleaning up after Marshall one.

Give Ren 5 minutes alone with Vick...afterall, last I knew he got peck implants

[Ugly Duck]

he doesn't have the same perspective about it as you or I might

He does now...