While Michael Vick’s Atlanta Falcons teammates opened training camp Thursday, the star quarterback instead was in federal court pleading not guilty to dog-fighting charges.
Vick, accustomed to the cheers of adoring fans, was greeted by hundreds of protesters who booed and shouted insults at the former Virginia Tech star when he arrived at the U.S. District Courthouse in Richmond around 3 p.m. Many of the demonstrators held signs showing pictures of dogs maimed and disfigured in dog fights, and others carried placards calling Vick a “monster.”
When Vick left the courthouse after Judge Henry Hudson decided the quarterback did not need to post bail, the crowd again voiced its outrage and disgust with the crimes Vick is accused of committing.
“I can’t believe any human would treat a dog the way he did,” said Richmond resident Mary Johnston, who arrived at the courthouse at 8 a.m. with her terrier, Snowball. “He shouldn’t ever play football again. He should be treated like he treated those dogs.” Perhaps sensing the rising public tide against his client, lawyer Billy Martin read a statement on Vick’s behalf after the proceedings.
“I respectfully ask all of you to hold your judgment until all of the facts are shown,” Vick said in the statement. “Above all, I would like to say to my mom I’m sorry for what she has had to go through in this most trying of times.” Not all of the demonstrators Thursday opposed Vick, who is accused of killing underperforming dogs by drowning, hanging, electrocution and, in one case, slamming the animal into the ground.
“All these people are picking on him,” said Shawn Dodson of Lynchburg, who wore a Vick No. 7 Falcons jersey. “If he wasn’t a football player, no one would care.”
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell told Vick to stay away from his team’s training camp. Hudson set a Nov. 26 trial date, which falls in the middle of the football season.
