Michael Vick has essentially been leading a double life — one as an effective NFL quarterback and another as a career criminal. Unfortunately for Vick, the two simply couldn’t exist side-by-side forever.
Vick’s achievements off the field include selling weed, stealing, knowingly transmitting herpes, and taking steroids. None of these activities are admirable but they all pale in comparison to the notorious side business that eventually put Vick away.
During the execution of a 2007 search warrant, investigators found evidence of Vick’s involvement in an illegal dog-fighting ring known as Bad Newz Kennels. It slowly came to light that Vick had financed and participated in several dogfights and was involved in the destruction of several underperforming dogs by hanging or drowning.
Nothing makes the general public’s blood boil quite like a story about dogs being tortured. In the wake of the investigation, Vick lost endorsements from brands like Nike, Coca-Cola and EA Sports, and was sentenced to 23 months in prison. Since his release in 2009, Vick signed with the Philadelphia Eagles and has been rebuilding his career — the one that involves football.