Michael Vick's Dogfighting Allegations are Disturbing

Vick was informed Monday that he shouldn't check in to the Falcons' training camp until a review of the case is completed by the league.

Michael Vick Courtesy: shs.starkville.k12.ms.us

ATLANTA, Georgia - The Atlanta Falcons say the indictment of star quarterback Michael Vick's indictment on charges related to dogfighting came as a total surprise.

"We had absolutely no idea that the indictment was coming on that day at that time," Falcons General Manager Rich McKay told CNN Tuesday afternoon at the team's Atlanta office.

Local and federal investigators searched property Vick owns near Smithfield, Virginia on July 17th over the dogfighting allegations. This led to the federal grand jury indictment naming Vick and three of his associates.

The four now face federal conspiracy charges. Police say Vick and the others sponsored dogs and owned some of their own. They allege that the dogfighting activity involved gambling and the crossing of state lines.

Arthur Blank who owns the team stated, "We had, clearly, no indications, no signs, no whispers ... of any of this kind of behavior."

Vick was informed Monday that he shouldn't check in to the Falcons' training camp until a review of the case is completed by the league.

He is set to appear in court over a bond hearing and arraignment in Richmond, Virginia, the same day training camp starts.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said Tuesday that the Falcons should not discipline Vick over the charges of dogfighting charges until completion of the review. They said there is no time frame.

Sources report that the Falcons were considering a four-game suspension, the biggest penalty allowed under the league's collective bargaining agreement with the players' union.

He says they have been very firm about what is expected of players like Vick both as a football player and as a leader.

Blank said, "We are committed to doing the right thing, both on and off the field."

Vick has not made a public statement yet. Prosecutors say he could face six years in prison and a $350,000 fine.

Prosecutors allege that the patterns associated witht the dogfighting organization were ugly. Dogs that lost matches or lacked "enough fighting spirit" were killed with cruelty including electrocution, hanging, shooting and drowning.

Vick is alleged to have personally participated once earlier in 2007, when eight different dogs were put to death.

The first player selected in the 2001 NFL draft who was also a standout athlete at Cirginia Tech, is one of the most highly paid pro football players. He signed a 10-year, $130 million contract with the Falsons for ten years three years ago.

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