Michael Vick to Be Released from Prison This Week

Suspended Atlanta Falcons Quarterback Michael Vick is set to be released from a Kansas prison this week after serving 19 months for participation in a dog fighting ring operation, as well as for gambling and extreme brutality. Vick will serve out the last two months of the sentence in home confinement at his home in Hampton, Virginia. Vick will most likely wear an ankle bracelet and be closely monitored. Vick has said he will work a $10 per hour construction job during his home confinement. Vick's sentence officially ends on July 20, 2009.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell suspended Vick, hours after he pleaded guilty to the dog fighting charges. Vick was suspended indefinitely without pay and is still suspended to this day. Goodell says that he would consider lifting the suspension after Vick completes his federal prison sentence and will depend on his level of remorsefulness.

Because of the dog fighting charges, most people forget that Vick was an all-star quarterback while with the Falcons from 2002 to 2006. Michael Vick was a high school and college standout, and was the first overall draft pick in the 2001 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons. Vick is also known for his speed and was the best rushing quarterback in the league while he played. Vick owns several NFL quarterback records: most rushing yards by a quarterback in a single season (1,039 yards in 2006), highest average per carry in a single season (8.45 in 2006), 100-yard career rushing games by a quarterback (eight), rushing yards in a single game (173 in 2002). Vick has 11,505 career passing yards, 3,859 career rushing yards, and 21 career rushing touchdowns. Vick was a three-time Pro Bowl selection (2002, 2004, 2006).

Vick has said that he wants to get back to the NFL and he misses the sport but no professional teams has shown interest yet. Vick is still under contract with the Atlanta Falcons until 2013, but it is not likely he will play for the Falcons again. In February 2009, the Falcons tried to trade Vick but to no avail. The Arena Football League (AFL) had shown interest in Vick, but the AFL had suspended all play for the 2009 season because of financial issues. The new United Football League has also shown interest in Vick and their commissioner has said that Vick's chance of playing in his league are "98 percent". The first season of the UFL will begin in October 2009.

PETA and other animal rights activists are sure to object to Vick playing football again but he has served his time in prison and now can do what he does best.