SI.com - NFL - Text of Vick's post-hearing statement - Monday August 27, 2007 1:31PM Subscribe to Sports Illustrated and Save Over 82%Subscribe to SIGive the Gift of SI NFL Front Page Scores TeamsBears JetsBengals LionsBills NinersBroncos PackersBrowns PanthersBuccaneers PatriotsCardinals RaidersChargers RamsChiefs RavensColts RedskinsCowboys SaintsDolphins SeahawksEagles SteelersFalcons TexansGiants TitansJaguars VikingsPlayers Standings Schedules Stats Transactions Injuries CFB Front Page Scores Teams ConferencesACC MACBig 12 Mountain WestBig East Pac-10Big Ten SECConference USA Sun BeltIndependents WACPlayers Standings Rankings Schedules Stats MLB Front Page Scores TeamsAngels MetsAstros NationalsAthletics OriolesBlue Jays PadresBraves PhilliesBrewers PiratesCardinals RangersCubs Red SoxDevil Rays RedsDiamondbacks RockiesDodgers RoyalsGiants TigersIndians TwinsMariners White SoxMarlins YankeesPlayers Standings Probables Daily Glance Schedules Stats Transactions Injuries Minors NBA Front Page Scores TeamsBobcats MavericksBucks NetsBulls NuggetsCavaliers PacersCeltics PistonsClippers RaptorsGrizzlies RocketsHawks SixersHeat SonicsHornets SpursJazz SunsKings TimberwolvesKnicks Trail BlazersLakers WarriorsMagic WizardsPlayers Standings Schedules Stats Transactions Injuries TNT Video WNBA CBB Front Page Scores Teams ConferencesACC MACAmerica East MEACAtlantic 10 Mid-ContinentAtlantic Sun Missouri ValleyBig 12 Mountain WestBig East NECBig Sky Ohio ValleyBig South Pac-10Big Ten PatriotBig West SECColonial SouthernC-USA SouthlandHorizon Sun BeltIndependents SWACIvy League WACMAAC WCCPlayers Stats Standings Rankings Schedules Women's Hoops GOLF.com Front Page Leaderboards Schedules & Results Stats Tours & News Instruction Equipment Courses & Travel USGA Handicap NHL Front Page Scores TeamsAvalanche KingsBlackhawks LightningBlue Jackets Maple LeafsBlues OilersBruins PanthersCanadiens PenguinsCanucks PredatorsCapitals RangersCoyotes Red WingsDevils SabresDucks SenatorsFlames SharksFlyers StarsHurricanes ThrashersIslanders WildPlayers Standings Schedules Stats Transactions Injuries NASCAR Front Page Schedules & Results Stats Drivers Tracks Busch Craftsman Truck IndyCar Champ Car Formula 1 Soccer Front Page Scores Standings International Rankings MLS HS Front Page Faces in the Crowd RISE TAKKLE Tennis Front Page Results Schedules Players Stats More Front Page Boxing Cycling Horse Racing Olympics Track & Field Figure Skating Scores Front Page NFL College Football MLB NBA WNBA Men's College Hoops Women's College Hoops Golf NHL NASCAR Soccer Tennis More Scores Text of Vick's post-hearing statement Posted: Monday August 27, 2007 1:31PM; Updated: Monday August 27, 2007 1:31PM Michael Vick faces the media immediately after pleading guilty to a federal dogfighting conspiracy charge. AP Michael Vick Pleads Guilty • Vick formally enters guilty plea to dogfighting • Text of Vick's post-hearing apology • McCANN: What sentence will Vick get? • Monumental day in store for Falcons • NFL suspends Vick after he files plea • DOHRMANN: What exactly did Vick admit? • McCann: Judge still plays key role in Vick case • CNN: Grim future for most fighting dogs • NAACP thinks Vick should be able to return • KING: Hard to imagine upcoming season • BANKS: NFL personnel gurus on Vick's future • Athletes prosecuted by federal government Michael Vick's statement following his guilty plea in U.S. District Court in Richmond, Va., to a dogfighting conspiracy charge: "For most of my life, I've been a football player, not a public speaker, so, you know, I really don't know, you know, how to say what I really want to say. You know, I understand it's -- it's important or not important, you know, as far as what you say but how you say things. So, you know, I take this opportunity just to speak from the heart. First, I want to apologize, you know, for all the things that -- that I've done and that I have allowed to happen. I want to personally apologize to commissioner Goodell, Arthur Blank, coach Bobby Petrino, my Atlanta Falcons teammates, you know, for our -- for our previous discussions that we had. And I was not honest and forthright in our discussions, and, you know, I was ashamed and totally disappointed in myself to say the least. I want to apologize to all the young kids out there for my immature acts and, you know, what I did was, what I did was very immature so that means I need to grow up. I totally ask for forgiveness and understanding as I move forward to bettering Michael Vick the person, not the football player. I take full responsibility for my actions. For one second will I sit right here -- not for one second will I sit right here and point the finger and try to blame anybody else for my actions or what I've done. I'm totally responsible, and those things just didn't have to happen. I feel like we all make mistakes. It's just I made a mistake in using bad judgment and making bad decisions. And you know, those things, you know, just can't happen. Dog fighting is a terrible thing, and I did reject it. I'm upset with myself, and, you know, through this situation I found Jesus and asked him for forgiveness and turned my life over to God. And I think that's the right thing to do as of right now. Like I said, for this -- for this entire situation I never pointed the finger at anybody else, I accepted responsibility for my actions of what I did and now I have to pay the consequences for it. But in a sense, I think it will help, you know, me as a person. I got a lot to think about in the next year or so. I offer my deepest apologies to everybody out in there in the world who was affected by this whole situation. And if I'm more disappointed with myself than anything it's because of all the young people, young kids that I've let down, who look at Michael Vick as a role model. And to have to go through this and put myself in this situation, you know, I hope that every young kid out there in the world watching this interview right now who's been following the case will use me as an example to using better judgment and making better decisions. Once again, I offer my deepest apologies to everyone. And I will redeem myself. I have to. So I got a lot of down time, a lot of time to think about my actions and what I've done and how to make Michael Vick a better person. Thank you." Copyright 2007 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 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