SportsFullCircle

Atlanta, GA - According to a recent report, the Atlanta Falcons have released estranged quarterback Michael Vick.

Vick, currently on house-arrest finishing his 23-month sentence on dogfighting charges, was formally cut by the Falcons on Friday less than six weeks before his sentence completes and he is eligible for reinstatement to the NFL.  Even when he is eligible, it is up to the discretion of commissioner Roger Goodell to allow Vick to play in the NFL again.

Even if Vick does not gain reinstatement to the NFL, teams in the newly formed United Football League have indicated they are interested in signing the former No. 1 overall pick in the 2001 draft.

Whichever team does decide to sign him will have to face hordes of PETA activists and other critics of Vick’s cruelty to animals.  However, Vick has taken major steps to show he is repentant and that he wants to play football again.  Still, it is unknown just how ready Vick would be to play in the NFL again after nearly two years away from the league.

The Falcons wished Vick well, but wanted to put the fiasco behind them.  Falcons’ general manager Thomas Dimitroff issued this statement: “We feel his best opportunity to re-engage his football career would be at another club.  Our entire organization sincerely hopes that Michael will continue to focus his efforts making positive changes in his life and we wish him well in that regard.”

The Falcons had put Vick on the trading block for months, but no NFL team was willing to take the risk of his huge contract and the fan support they might lose by signing the controversial player.  The Falcons clearly do not need Vick anymore after their first round draft choice last year, Matt Ryan, led the Falcons to the playoffs in his first season and won the Offensive Rookie of the Year award.