Michael Vick Suspended Indefinitely From NFL

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has suspended Michael Vick indefinitely for his role in Bad Newz Kennels.  The suspension came just hours after Vick acknowledged that he bankrolled gambling on dogfighting and participated in the gruesome killing of some dogs that were deemed not worthy of fighting.

“Your admitted conduct was not only illegal, but also cruel and reprehensible. Your team, the NFL, and fans have all been hurt by your actions,” said Goodell in a letter to the ex-Falcons quarterback.

“Your plea agreement and the plea agreements of your co-defendants also demonstrate your significant involvement in illegal gambling. Even if you personally did not place bets, as you contend, your actions in funding the betting and your association with illegal gambling both violate the terms of your NFL Player Contract and expose you to corrupting influences in derogation of one of the most fundamental responsibilities of an player.”

Vick faces up to five years in prison for his crimes.

Michael Vick Will Plead Guilty In Illegal Dogfighting Case

Atlanta Falcons starting quarterback Michael Vick is entering a plea of guilty in the illegal dogfighting case in order to avoid any further charges.

“After consulting with his family this weekend Michael Vick asked that I announce today that he has reached an agreement with federal prosecutors regarding the charges pending against him,”  said lead attorney Billy Martin  in a written statement.

“He has agreed to enter a plea of guilty to the charges and accept full responsibility for his actions and the mistakes he has made. Michael wishes to apologize everyone who has been hurt by this matter,” Martin’s statement concluded.

The charges could bring a maximum of prison time for five years plus a $250,000 fine for each defendant. According ABC News sources, given the heinousness of the crime, it might not be possible for him to avoid prison time.

WWE Vehemently Denies Chris Benoit ‘Roid Rage’ Connection

While the world continues to ponder why Chris Benoit murdered both his wife and son followed by the taking of his own life,  World Wrestling Entertainment has issued a statement vehemently denying the allegations that steroids played a role.

The statement reads as follows:

World Wrestling Entertainment is stunned and saddened by the details released by local authorities concerning the double homicide-suicide involving Chris Benoit, his wife, Nancy, and his son, Daniel.

However, WWE is concerned with the sensationalistic reporting and speculation being undertaken by some members of the media following the press conference held by the Fayette County Sheriff’s Department and the District Attorney. During the press conference, the investigating authorities made the following points, all of which run contrary to the media speculation that “roid rage” was a factor in the senseless murders and suicide:

The authorities stated that all drugs found in the house were believed to be legal prescriptions.

Steroids were not, and could not, be related to the cause of death (asphyxiation). Authorities had no factual basis to speculate as to Benoit’s state of mind, and rightly did not do so.

Toxicology tests have not even been completed, so there is no current evidence that Benoit even had steroids or any other substance in his body. In that regard, on the last test done by WWE’s independently administered drug testing program, done on April 10, 2007, he tested negative.

The physical findings announced by authorities indicate deliberation, not rage. The wife’s feet and hands were bound and she was asphyxiated, not beaten to death. By the account of the authorities, there were substantial periods of time between the death of the wife and the death of the son, again suggesting deliberate thought, not rage. The presence of a Bible by each is also not an act of rage.

WWE strongly suggests that it is entirely wrong for speculators to suggest that steroids had anything to do with these senseless acts, especially when the authorities plainly stated there is no evidence that Benoit had steroids in his body, pending the toxicological reports, and that they had no evidence at this time as to the motive for these acts.

WWE is continuing to monitor the ongoing investigation being conducted by local authorities.

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