Michael Vick has an autobiography coming out in September, so the quarterback, and his past crimes, are back in the spotlight. Vick told USA Today that he knows dogfighting is a permanent part of his story – and shared an excerpt of his book in which he admits that he was once more dedicated to the fights than he was to the Falcons.
In one excerpt of the book posted online by USA Today, Vick writes that he grew immune to the violence and crime where he grew up, in Newport News, Va., and was more dedicated to learning dogfighting than he was to playing quarterback in Atlanta.
“I became better at reading dogs than reading defenses. That’s just so sad to say right now, because I put more time and effort into trying to master that pursuit than my own profession,” Vick writes in the book, Finally Free.
In an interview with USA Today, Vick said he has come to terms with the permanent mark on his past.
“I’ve made peace with it, because I have no control over it,” he told the paper. “But at the same time, I think I made a lot of changes for the better and I think in my quest to be an advocate against dogfighting and working with the Humane Society, I’ve helped more animals than I’ve hurt.”
In another portion of his interview, Vick said he wants to give hope to others who have made mistakes, and for fans to get to know more about him than they might in a brief interaction.
“I run into so many people who feel like they don’t have any hope after they make a mistake, or after they can’t overcome certain obstacles in their life … I just want them to know that there’s several roadblocks you’re going to run into,” he said, later adding, “Even though you may fall, you have to get up.”
In another excerpt, Vick said he hoped to lie his way out of trouble with the NFL – though it ultimately led to a harsher penalty from the league. USA Today as more on the book and the interview.
The autobiography is due out Sept. 4, with a forward by Tony Dungy.
Via Philly.com
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