# Vick pleads guilty, but wants to know what his career options are.
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vick-pleads-guilty-but-wants-to-know-what-his-career-options-are/416278
**Category:** Cafe Society
**Created:** [August 20, 2007, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vick-pleads-guilty-but-wants-to-know-what-his-career-options-are/416278 "2007-08-20T18:54:46Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Euthanasiast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euthanasiast)
#### Post date: [August 20, 2007, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vick-pleads-guilty-but-wants-to-know-what-his-career-options-are/416278/1 "2007-08-20T18:54:46Z")
> [@](#):
>
> Vick’s attorneys hope to hear back from National Football League Commissioner Roger Goodell’s office sometime Monday about Vick’s career options, sources said.
What options should he have? I thought that if he was guilty of the crime he would be banned. Is that unclear to him or is there something we don’t know about?
Federal prosecuters said they were aware of no deal, so Vick’s plea would not be a part of any deal. If he pleads guilty without any kind of deal, does that mean he gets the full punishment?
source: [link](http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,293826,00.html)
---
### Author:  [@cbawlmer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cbawlmer)
#### Post date: [August 20, 2007, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vick-pleads-guilty-but-wants-to-know-what-his-career-options-are/416278/2 "2007-08-20T19:11:02Z")
I believe his options should be:
A. firing squad
B. eaten by angry, hungry dogs
C. A, then B
---
### Author:  [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)
#### Post date: [August 20, 2007, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vick-pleads-guilty-but-wants-to-know-what-his-career-options-are/416278/3 "2007-08-20T19:15:40Z")
This is one time where I hope that PETA comes down hard on an organization (NFL) and makes a big stink and forces their hand.
---
### Author:  [@Sean\_Factotum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sean_Factotum)
#### Post date: [August 20, 2007, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vick-pleads-guilty-but-wants-to-know-what-his-career-options-are/416278/4 "2007-08-20T19:15:57Z")
No no no. The dogs should get there several minutes before the bullets.
Then, CFL.
---
### Author:  [@Hal\_Briston](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hal_Briston)
#### Post date: [August 20, 2007, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vick-pleads-guilty-but-wants-to-know-what-his-career-options-are/416278/5 "2007-08-20T19:20:39Z")
[QUOTE=Euthanasiast]
Federal prosecuters said they were aware of no deal, so Vick’s plea would not be a part of any deal. If he pleads guilty without any kind of deal, does that mean he gets the full punishment?
[/QUOTE]
> [@](#):
>
> Jim Rybicki, a spokesman for U.S. States Attorney Chuck Rosenberg, said he had not heard of an agreement in the Vick case, and that he was trying to reach prosecutors.
The _spokesman_ was not aware of the deal. If there was no deal in place, then Vick would have no compelling reason to plead out.
---
### Author:  [@OneCentStamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OneCentStamp)
#### Post date: [August 20, 2007, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vick-pleads-guilty-but-wants-to-know-what-his-career-options-are/416278/6 "2007-08-20T19:20:46Z")
[QUOTE=Sean Factotum]
Then, CFL.
[/QUOTE]
You cruel, sick bastard.
---
### Author:  [@Trunk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trunk)
#### Post date: [August 20, 2007, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vick-pleads-guilty-but-wants-to-know-what-his-career-options-are/416278/7 "2007-08-20T19:22:52Z")
[QUOTE=Euthanasiast]
What options should he have? I thought that if he was guilty of the crime he would be banned. Is that unclear to him or is there something we don’t know about?
[/QUOTE]
I thought that was unclear.
I could see him getting banned for a season, or 8 games.
Some have said, they really frown on the illegal gambling, so that could hurt him.
I don’t think the NFL has said what his punishment will be.
---
### Author:  [@Lamar\_Mundane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamar_Mundane)
#### Post date: [August 20, 2007, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vick-pleads-guilty-but-wants-to-know-what-his-career-options-are/416278/8 "2007-08-20T19:23:35Z")
[QUOTE=Euthanasiast]
What options should he have? I thought that if he was guilty of the crime he would be banned. Is that unclear to him or is there something we don’t know about?
[link](http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,293826,00.html)
[/QUOTE]
Where did you hear about the automatic banning? Plenty of NFL players haved been found guilty of crimes and come back to play. I would think that he serves his sentence (probably more like 12 months assuming he stays clean in prison) and then can negotiate as a free agent with any team in the league.
I would think that banning would only be appropriate in reaction to a crime that _directly_ has a negative impact on the game, like throwing games.
I could be wrong.
---
### Author:  [@UntouchedTakeaway](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UntouchedTakeaway)
#### Post date: [August 20, 2007, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vick-pleads-guilty-but-wants-to-know-what-his-career-options-are/416278/9 "2007-08-20T19:25:58Z")
I vote for B - _then_ A.
VCNJ~
[QUOTE=cbawlmer]
I believe his options should be:
A. firing squad
B. eaten by angry, hungry dogs
C. A, then B
[/QUOTE]
---
### Author:  [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)
#### Post date: [August 20, 2007, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vick-pleads-guilty-but-wants-to-know-what-his-career-options-are/416278/10 "2007-08-20T19:33:11Z")
[QUOTE=ZipperJJ]
This is one time where I hope that PETA comes down hard on an organization (NFL) and makes a big stink and forces their hand.
[/QUOTE]
Can I ask why?
What does the NFL have to do with something Michael Vick was doing in the privacy of his home?
---
### Author:  [@cbawlmer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cbawlmer)
#### Post date: [August 20, 2007, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vick-pleads-guilty-but-wants-to-know-what-his-career-options-are/416278/11 "2007-08-20T19:36:41Z")
[QUOTE=Justin\_Bailey]
Can I ask why?
What does the NFL have to do with something Michael Vick was doing in the privacy of his home?
[/QUOTE]
Because it’s illegal, and completely sick. I wouldn’t want anyone involved with such activities associated with MY multibillion-dollar, family-friendly enterprise.
---
### Author:  [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)
#### Post date: [August 20, 2007, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vick-pleads-guilty-but-wants-to-know-what-his-career-options-are/416278/12 "2007-08-20T19:36:50Z")
I think the NFL should form an expansion team called **“The Felons”** made up entirely of players who have been convicted of felonies. Kinda get a **“Longest Yard”** vibe going. Black and white horizontally striped uniforms. The yeard markers could be manned by an actual **chain gang**. Of course you know what song they’d play whenever Vick came out on the field - _Who let the dogs out_.
Man, I’m a marketing genius!
---
### Author:  [@Dob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dob)
#### Post date: [August 20, 2007, 7:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vick-pleads-guilty-but-wants-to-know-what-his-career-options-are/416278/13 "2007-08-20T19:42:38Z")
I just cannot fathom the thought process of a high profile, millionaire, football player who honestly thought; “I can have a dog fighting ring, who would know?”
For stupidity alone he should get another 10yrs on his jail time.
---
### Author:  [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)
#### Post date: [August 20, 2007, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vick-pleads-guilty-but-wants-to-know-what-his-career-options-are/416278/14 "2007-08-20T19:44:39Z")
[QUOTE=cbawlmer]
Because it’s illegal, and completely sick. I wouldn’t want anyone involved with such activities associated with MY multibillion-dollar, family-friendly enterprise.
[/QUOTE]
But why should PETA attack the NFL? You would think they found out when the rest of the world did (when he was arrested).
The man is going to jail. He has lost all of his current endorsements and will likely never get another one again. He may be banned for life from the NFL.
Why should PETA get free reign to attack an organization he worked for when all of the illegal activity occured at his home?
---
### Author:  [@Mullinator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mullinator)
#### Post date: [August 20, 2007, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vick-pleads-guilty-but-wants-to-know-what-his-career-options-are/416278/15 "2007-08-20T19:49:12Z")
[QUOTE=Lamar Mundane]
Where did you hear about the automatic banning? Plenty of NFL players haved been found guilty of crimes and come back to play. I would think that he serves his sentence (probably more like 12 months assuming he stays clean in prison) and then can negotiate as a free agent with any team in the league.
I would think that banning would only be appropriate in reaction to a crime that _directly_ has a negative impact on the game, like throwing games.
I could be wrong.
[/QUOTE]
The banning will probably stem from the fact that Vick lied directly to the commissioner when questioned about his potential involvement in the dogfighting.
---
### Author:  [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)
#### Post date: [August 20, 2007, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vick-pleads-guilty-but-wants-to-know-what-his-career-options-are/416278/16 "2007-08-20T19:50:13Z")
[QUOTE=Justin\_Bailey]
Can I ask why?
What does the NFL have to do with something Michael Vick was doing in the privacy of his home?
[/QUOTE]
From the NFL Personal Conduct Policy. Bolding mine. #
> [@](#):
>
> Persons Convicted of Criminal Activity
>
> # Any Covered Person **convicted of or admitting to a criminal violation** (including a plea to a lesser included offense; a plea of nob contendere or no contest; or the acceptance of a diversionary program, deferred adjudication, disposition of supervision, or similar arrangement) will be subject to discipline as determined by the Commissioner. **Such discipline may include a fine, suspension without pay and/or banishment from the League.** Any Covered Person convicted of or admitting to a second criminal violation will be suspended without pay or banished for a period of time to be determined by the Commissioner.
[Cite.](http://www.nflpa.org/RulesAndRegs/ConductPolicy.aspx)
---
### Author:  [@Manduck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Manduck)
#### Post date: [August 20, 2007, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vick-pleads-guilty-but-wants-to-know-what-his-career-options-are/416278/17 "2007-08-20T19:50:51Z")
[QUOTE=Sean Factotum]
Then, CFL.
[/QUOTE]
IIRC, the NFL and CFL have an agreement to honour each other’s suspensions, so that is one opportunity that won’t be open to him.
---
### Author:  [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)
#### Post date: [August 20, 2007, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vick-pleads-guilty-but-wants-to-know-what-his-career-options-are/416278/18 "2007-08-20T19:53:59Z")
[QUOTE=Manduck]
IIRC, the NFL and CFL have an agreement to honour each other’s suspensions, so that is one opportunity that won’t be open to him.
[/QUOTE]
Didn’t Ricky Williams play in the CFL while under suspension from the NFL? I could be wrong.
ETA: I found this.
[http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2424348](http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2424348)
> [@](#):
>
> Argos vice president of football operations Adam Rita confirmed Thursday afternoon that his club has placed Williams on its negotiation list, meaning Toronto now owns the exclusive CFL bargaining rights to the banished tailback. Under CFL rules, each team is permitted a 35-man negotiating list and can discuss a contract with those players, even if they are under NFL suspension.
---
### Author:  [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)
#### Post date: [August 20, 2007, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vick-pleads-guilty-but-wants-to-know-what-his-career-options-are/416278/19 "2007-08-20T19:54:13Z")
[QUOTE=Manduck]
IIRC, the NFL and CFL have an agreement to honour each other’s suspensions, so that is one opportunity that won’t be open to him.
[/QUOTE]
I haven’t heard that - Ricky Williams did play in the CFL - but Vick would be a convicted felon and might have trouble going to Canada.
---
### Author:  [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)
#### Post date: [August 20, 2007, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vick-pleads-guilty-but-wants-to-know-what-his-career-options-are/416278/20 "2007-08-20T19:55:12Z")
[QUOTE=Justin\_Bailey]
But why should PETA attack the NFL? You would think they found out when the rest of the world did (when he was arrested).
The man is going to jail. He has lost all of his current endorsements and will likely never get another one again. He may be banned for life from the NFL.
Why should PETA get free reign to attack an organization he worked for when all of the illegal activity occured at his home?
[/QUOTE]
No one’s saying that the NFL had foreknowledge of Vick’s dog fighting activities, or that they _should_ have known about it. What they’re saying is, now that it’s known, the NFL should not allow Vick to remain a part of the league under any circumstances. The concern is that the NFL will try to give Vick a slap on the wrist, instead of coming down on him like a ton of bricks. If they’re already primed for a lifetime ban, then no problem: the NFL is already taking the appropriate measures, and shouldn’t be “attacked” by anyone.
[Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vick-pleads-guilty-but-wants-to-know-what-his-career-options-are/416278.md?page=2)