Disgraced former National Football League star Michael Vick arrived home on Thursday to serve the last two months of his prison sentence under house arrest for his role in a dogfight ring.
Vick will work at a US$10-an-hour construction job and begin trying to show critics that he deserves a second chance at NFL stardom.
A versatile run-pass threat in his days with the Atlanta Falcons, Vick was among the NFL’s highest-paid superstars until being sentenced in December of 2007 after pleading guilty to conspiracy to operate a dogfighting ring.
PHOTO: AP
Animal activists protested Vick after his admission that he took part in the brutal slayings of dogs that fared poorly in fights — including hangings, drownings, beatings and electrocutions.
But Vick met in prison with leaders from the Humane Society of the US, hoping to work with the group to help others avoid the actions that led to his own downfall.
Vick and his fiancee arrived at his home, where news crews and curious onlookers had gathered on Wednesday, in a car fitted with dark privacy screens, said Chris Garrett, a member of Vick’s legal team.
“He’s happy to be reunited with his family,” Garrett said.
Vick was fitted with an electronic monitoring device later on Thursday morning. He will wear the device during the next two months before his scheduled July 20 release, which would allow him to take part in NFL pre-season training camps.
The Falcons, who still own his NFL rights, have said they do not want Vick back but would be willing to listen to trade offers from clubs who might want to give Vick a chance, provided he receives reinstatement from NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.
Vick, who will have three years on probation once his sentence is complete, deserves another chance in the NFL, said Atlanta receiver Roddy White, a former Vick teammate.
“Mike has already paid his dues,” White said. “If he gets reinstated before the season, there’ll be a couple of teams that will be after him and give him a chance to play.”
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