Michael Vick Seeks Forgiveness For Dog Fighting: 'I Was Naïve To The Consequences'
July 17 2012, Published 10:30 a.m. ET
By Debbie Emery - Breaking Celebrity News Reporter
Quarterback Michael Vick went from a NFL star to a convict and the target of hatred for animal lovers across America when he was sent to prison for dog fighting in 2007, but he is now trying to clean up his reputation for good and seeking redemption for his past crimes.
The Philadelphia Eagles player opened up to Matt Lauer on NBC's TODAY on Tuesday about his ignorance over the cruelty of the sport and how he hopes others will learn from his grievous mistakes.
"So many people have their own opinions of what they thought should have happened. Their perception of the situation, whether or not they know the origin of what I was into. They get it wrong. I wanna help them get it right," Vick, 32, told the morning show host.
In his upcoming autobiography, the Virginia native reveals that he was exposed to dog fighting at the age of eight, and at the time thought the gruesome sport was fascinating.
"I always thought about it (being wrong) and it was always in the back of my mind. But I was very naïve to the consequences," Vick explained, "And that's what I don't want to happen to young kids today. That was the main reason I became an advocate."
The Eagles starting QB is now working with animal rights groups to bring awareness to dog fighting and let youngsters know that is not the life path that they should take.
He revealed that the worst part of his ordeal was seeing it announced on TV that he could go to prison while watching football with his then seven-year-old son, Mitez, who burst out screaming, "I don't want you to go to jail!" to his dad.
"I was hurt, I was ashamed. And it was all my fault," explained Vick to Lauer. "It was tough, I really couldn't explain it, all I could do at the time was console him. It was too far-fetched for his brain. The only thing he knew was that I was going to jail. It was a situation that mon