Celebrity Justice
Humane Society Auctions Off Vick's Note to Self

On August 27, Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick plead guilty to a dogfighting charge, and the following day held a press conference in Richmond, Virg., apologizing for his involvement in the Bad Newz Kennels dogfighting ring.
michael vick
After Vick's four-minute speech, a rep with the Humane Society of the United States went up to the podium to retrieve his microphone, and found the note left by Vick containing his talking points.

Vick's big idea: apologize, apologize, apologize. The six-point speech calls for him to "apologize for what I've done;" apologize to his coach and team; tell young kids that "I acted immature;" ask for "forgiveness and understanding;" "take full responsibility for my actions;" and remind people that "we all make mistakes."



At the very bottom of the note was a reminder that "dogs have suffered."

"Watching video of the event, I recall Vick reading through his talking points. I don't recall him getting to those words at the end. No, for some reason, he didn't get to the dogs on whom he inflicted such tortures," wrote Humane Society blogger Wayne Pacelle on A Humane Nation. "The biggest apology of all was left unspoken-to the dogs who suffered and who died so horribly at his hand."

The Humane Society has put the note up for auction. Proceeds will benefit the Humane Society's Animal Cruelty Response and Reward Fund.

Tags: michael vick, MichaelVick

Reader Comments

(Page 2 of 7) Previous 15 Comments | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

16. DISGUSTING THE LENGTHS PEOLPE WILL GO THROUGH AND MAYBE PEOPLE SHOULD BE AS HUMANE TO THE HOMELESS AND STARVING HUMANS OUT THERE.U WOULD STEP OVER A HOMELESS BUT RESCUE A DOG!

Posted at 2:25PM on Sep 4th 2007 by nyb

17. Since the Falcons are trying to recover his signing bonus, or whatever it is, they should get the money and donate it to The Humane Society or the animal rescue that had to deal with his dogs. This will make the Falcons look like they're taking responsibility for their dumb ass player and trying to make it right. Then they can fire his nasty ass!

Posted at 2:31PM on Sep 4th 2007 by Sue

18. I don't support Vick at all. Quite the opposite. However, what is wrong with his having a note to help him make a national media speech? Which of you would get up to make a speech without some notes? If that was the extent of his notes, then he spoke rather well.

I thought I did hear him mention the dogs' suffering, but I might be wrong. However, I thought I heard it.

Not a Vick supporter, but I don't get the uproar over a note. I wouldn't spend a dime on it. Seems vindictive. Let the law take care of him.

Posted at 3:21PM on Sep 4th 2007 by anonymous

19. Anything for a buck. The guy is paying HUGE for the gross and
inconcievable acts against this breed of worseless animals.
While I hope he can and will get help and get through this, stop
this insanity and get on with something else. Personally I'm
moving on to the Jerry Lewis homophobe remark!!!

Posted at 2:34PM on Sep 4th 2007 by Not a Fan of Pit Bulls

20. I'm sorry, since when did we all start loving pit bulls. Although I don't condone what Mike Vick did, I don't it was dispictable, but now we love pitbulls huh? Give me a break. We were trying to ban them, now we love them.

Posted at 2:39PM on Sep 4th 2007 by denise

21. How is a pitbull a "worseless" animal?? Check your dictionary. You made up a new word! Hooray for you......I have a pitbull and everyone in my neighborhood loves her! Kids stop me when I'm walking her so they can pet her. She is very well behaved and gentle with people who are gentle with her. But I'm pretty sure she would growl at you!

Posted at 2:42PM on Sep 4th 2007 by Sue

22. If our legal system and our society are once again going to allow a vicious criminal to escape unscathed from the crimes that he so heinously committed, then Vick should at least have to pay (financially) for his crimes.

How about it Michael? If you really want us to believe that you are sorry and that you truly understand how disgusting your crime in fact was, why don’t you donate to the Humane Society of the United States? One million dollars would be a good place to start your apology; $2 million would be perfect to show that you are actually sorry.

Posted at 2:40PM on Sep 4th 2007 by jess600

23. Note to self:

DESTROY NOTES TO SELF!!!

Posted at 2:44PM on Sep 4th 2007 by Bob

24. The people who are trying to ban pit bulls are people who are truly unfamiliar with the breed, and who have responded to the stimulus of media sensationalism.

Posted at 2:44PM on Sep 4th 2007 by jess600

25. @#18 anything for a buck huh......Well why don't you mention the same thing for the Humane Society....who the hell would auction off a hand written note of a man that they despise.....I'm not saying that Vick is innocent in is actions by no means....but damn people...he is getting treated worse than serial killers. Give me a damn break....

Posted at 2:45PM on Sep 4th 2007 by Bri

26. I too noticed that he made absolutely NO MENTION of the dogs. probably because they have no power to plead his case in front of Goodell or Blank or the American public....no, this speech was all about saving himself and trying to convince people that he understood what he did was wrong and why it was wrong, in order to save himself. pathetic. the mere fact that he referred to sadistic behavior toward animals as immature should have been the first clue....then there was referring to a 5 year involvement in criminal behavior as a mistake....and to top it off, after months of lying, and posturing, and refusing to cooperate with law enforcement, and showing no remorse, he magically finds god and realizes that dog fighting was evil. oh puh-leeezze, Michael. pull my other leg, it has bells on it.

Posted at 2:47PM on Sep 4th 2007 by lizzie

27. And this is a person who went to (and, possibly, graduated) college??!!!! WHY CAN'T HE SPELL? He is an embarrassment to the human race.

Posted at 1:06PM on Sep 5th 2007 by gmag

28. #21 My mistake. Worthless.
Oh, and that's what they all say after they viciously maul an
innocent child or an adult woman while sleeping in bed, (Seattle).
In fact, thats what the owner said about her sweet adorable pit bull
that the neighbor children just love after it attacked me.

Posted at 5:54PM on Sep 4th 2007 by Not a Fan of Pit Bulls

29. #15, you are a moron.

How do you know that we would "step over a homeless person". I live in the SF area, and let me tell you there are plenty of homeless here. The difference? Many of them choose their lifestyle, and the others that do not choose their lifestyle have the ability to get up, walk to the soup kitchen or the building down the street for sleeping and food.

Those DOGS didn't have that choice now did they? Did they have the ability to YELL for help, to SHOUT that they were being abused? Did they have the ability to run down the block and TELL someone what was happening? Did they have the ability to walk on their own feet to get food from a soup kitchen?

You can't compare the two...these DOGS were chained and tied up, with no one to help them. They were beaten and tortured and killed, with no one to protect them.

A homeless person, however sad....still has a voice and the right to have his/her voice heard. They also have 2 feet to walk for help, and people out there that will help them if need be. They have free healthcare available to them at local clinics, free food available to them at local soup kitchens, and free sleeping quarters available to them at local halfway houses and red cross places.

DId those DOGS have any of that? You are damned right I will stick up for these dogs before I will stick up for a homeless person......the dogs didn't have an opportunity to make their own decisions and they didn't have a voice to ask for help.

Posted at 2:51PM on Sep 4th 2007 by Shocked...

30. Hey Jess600....at least you and I are on the same page!

Posted at 2:54PM on Sep 4th 2007 by Sue

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