Michael Vick Pleads Guilty Again, Would NFL Take Him Back?

Michael Vick is currently serving time for a federal dogfighting conviction, but now he's answering to the state of Virginia.

On Tuesday, Vick appeared in a Surry County Circuit Court and plead guilty to two felony counts of beating or killing or causing dogs to fight other dogs and engaging in or promoting dogfighting. While each felony count is punishable up to five years in prison, Vick's legal team agreed to a plea agreement deal with the state that would give Vick a suspended sentence and one year of probation.

According to the Associated Press, the plea was necessary for Vick to get out of prison early and into a halfway house where he could possibly play football again. Vick was convicted in August 2007 on federal dogfighting charges and sentenced to 23 months in prison. He was previously scheduled to be released on July 20, 2009 but is looking to get out a few months early, as soon as even January, with hopes of getting back into the NFL.

But would the NFL take him back?

The Associated Press talked to all 31 NFL teams and some of them are leaving the door open for a possible Vick return.

"I hope they're prepared to face the dog lovers of America," Kansas City Chiefs president and general manager Carl Peterson said of a team that acquires Vick. "There are going to be a lot of problems. People love their pets, and particularly dogs. There will be protests, people expressing their thoughts - even though he's served his time. It will be interesting to see. He will have been out of football a long time."

Looks like the Chiefs aren't taking a chance on Vick. And neither are the Atlanta Falcons, even though Vick is still under contract with the team. Falcons owner Arthur Blank made it clear that Vick will never wear a Falcons uniform again. As far as NFL players, it seems a lot of them would welcome Vick back with open arms.

"Just like any other American citizen, he deserves a chance to work. I think that's first and foremost, and his employment was football," Tampa Bay linebacker Derrick Brooks told AP. "Whatever team decides to give Mike an opportunity, I think that team has to convince the commissioner's office that they have a system in place that's going to help him succeed and move past his mistakes."

"All the opportunities Pacman Jones got, why can't Michael Vick? If a guy gets in trouble repeatedly - which crime is bigger? I don't know," added Dolphins defensive end Vonnie Holliday. "I think he should get an opportunity to have a second chance."

But what would it take for dog lovers to forgive Vick, even though he served his time and took his punishment like a man?

"We don't see any way people could cheer for him," PETA spokesman Dan Shannon told AP. "Our view it he's got to do something and get as active fighting against dogfighting as he was participating in it. If he does that, we'll reconsider our position. ... That will determine not just how PETA reacts, but also how the public and the NFL and individual teams react."

Is that good enough for you?

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