May Practice Now and Play in Final Two Preseason Games; Tony Dungy to
Serve as Mentor; Commissioner to Decide on Full Reinstatement for Regular Season
by Week 6
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell notified Michael Vick today that he
has been reinstated to the NFL on a conditional basis and will be considered for
full reinstatement and to play in regular-season games by Week 6 (October 18-19)
based on the progress he makes in his transition plan, the league announced
Monday.
Under the conditions of the reinstatement, Vick may participate without delay in
preseason practices, workouts, meetings, and may play in his club’s final two
preseason games. Once the regular season begins, Vick may participate in all
team activities other than games, subject to specific guidelines developed by
the NFL Player Personnel Department that will be communicated to Vick and all
clubs. Vick is currently an unrestricted free agent eligible to sign with any
NFL club. Vick is eligible to be paid based on terms negotiated with a club.
In addition, Tony Dungy has agreed to continue his work with Michael Vick as an
advisor and mentor. Commissioner Goodell will periodically evaluate Vick’s
progress under this transitional step approach and consider full reinstatement
for play in regular-season games by Week 6.
In a letter to Vick today, commissioner Goodell wrote: “My decision at that time
will be based on reports from outside professionals, your probation officer, and
others charged with supervising your activities, the quality of your work
outside football, the absence of any further adverse involvement in law
enforcement, and other concrete actions that you take that are consistent with
your representations to me.”
In addition, commissioner Goodell wrote: “This step-by-step approach is not
meant to be a further punishment and should not be viewed as such. Instead, it
is intended to maximize the prospect that you can successfully resume your
career and your life. I believe that a transitional approach with a strong
network of support will give you the best opportunity to manage effectively the
various issues and pressures that you will inevitably face in the coming weeks
and months and earn your full reinstatement.”
Vick had been suspended indefinitely since August of 2007 after pleading guilty
to federal criminal charges relating to his involvement in an interstate dog
fighting enterprise. He was released from federal custody last Monday (July 20)
but is still serving three years of probation.
In reviewing the matter, commissioner Goodell considered the court records;
written submissions made by Vick, his representatives, and others; reports and
recommendations of outside professionals; interviews with family and associates
conducted by NFL Security personnel; numerous conversations that commissioner
Goodell had with current and former players and others; and a hearing on July 22
at which the commissioner spoke in person with Vick, his representatives, and
NFLPA officials.
Following are additional excerpts from commissioner Goodell’s letter to Vick:
•“Among the conditions of this reinstatement, you are required to abide by the
terms of the supervised release that were imposed on you by the court, which
include not committing any further crime, limits on who you may associate with,
prohibitions regarding drug and alcohol use, possession of a firearm or other
dangerous weapon, and forbidding you to own, possess or be involved with the
sale of any dog.”
•“Apart from these conditions, you have submitted to me a written plan
concerning your proposed living arrangements, how you will manage your financial
affairs, counseling and mentoring plans, and your proposed work with the Humane
Society and other groups. You have committed to me that you intend to abide by
this plan, and as I said when we met, you are accountable for doing so.”
•“I am also encouraged by your recognition that you cannot do this yourself, and
that outside mentors and continued counseling will provide you with valuable
support and assistance. After discussing possible mentors with you, I have asked
Coach Tony Dungy to continue his work with you and to initiate a more formal
mentoring relationship with you. Earlier today, we discussed in detail with
Coach Dungy the precise nature of that relationship, and I share your view that
Coach Dungy can help you in many ways as you rebuild your life and resume your
career. I will stay in close touch with Coach Dungy and his views will be part
of my decision concerning whether and when you return to play. I encourage you
and Coach Dungy to select other mentors and advisors who can help in other
phases of your life.”
•“In deciding whether to reinstate a player, I have stressed my belief that
playing in the NFL is a privilege. It is not an entitlement. Everyone fortunate
enough to be part of the league is held to a standard of conduct higher than
that generally expected in society and is correspondingly accountable when that
standard of conduct is not met. I have also endorsed an approach under which
players who have been suspended for a significant amount of time, as you have
been, may through a series of steps demonstrate that they have addressed their
prior problems, that they can make good decisions, and that they conduct
themselves in a way that is lawful, responsible, and consistent with NFL
values.”
•“As I emphasized to you when we met, as I have said in other cases, it is
actions that count. I accept that you are sincere when you say that you want to,
and will, turn your life around and that you intend to be a positive role model
for others. I am prepared to offer you that opportunity. Whether you succeed is
entirely in your hands.”
•“Needless to say, your margin for error is extremely limited. I urge you to
take full advantage of the resources available to support you and to dedicate
yourself to rebuilding your life and your career. If you do this, the NFL will
support you.”
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