Vick pleads, Falcons react

By Charles Edwards

Atlanta, GA – Today, Michael Vick told a federal judge in Virginia he's guilty of a single count of conspiracy to dog fighting.

He then held a news conference to apology to everyone and anyone affected by the dog fighting scandal.

That included the Atlanta Falcons.

Richmond, Virginia is almost 9 hours north of Atlanta. But, Vick, at his news conference inside a Richmond hotel, hoped his Falcon teammates and coaches felt the apology that he said came from the heart.

VICK: I was not honest and forthright in our discussions and I was ashamed and totally disappointment in myself to say the least.

Vick apologized directly to Falcons owner Arthur Blank. Not just at the news conference, but in one on one phone conversation. Blank says he too was left in the dark on this issue.

BLANK: I can say to you without any hesitation that if we had any idea or inkling that this was going on or any sense of it we would have confronted and dealt with it immediately and in the most appropriate manner."

Today, Blank said he was profoundly disappointed by Vick's actions.

BLANK: Having said that, I do believe in redemption. After, Michael pays his debt to society and when he does the proper self reflection may he'll have an opportunity to play again in the National Football League.

Whether it will be with the Atlanta Falcons, Blank did not say. Right now, the team has not terminated Vick's contract because such an action would keep them from trying to recoup the quarterback's 22 million dollar signing bonus. The Falcons will use whatever they can get back from Vick to sign or re-sign players.

At the same time, the Falcons say the team is moving forward. Tonight, ESPN will nationally broadcast the Falcons' home pre-season game against the Cincinnati Bengals. The regular season starts September 9th.