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RICHMOND, Va. -- Michael Vick apologized Monday for "using bad judgment and making bad decisions" and vowed to redeem himself after pleading guilty to a federal dogfighting charge.

"First I want to apologize for all the things that I've done and that I have allowed to happen," the star quarterback said at a news conference following his appearance in U.S. District Court to formally enter the plea.

When the Atlanta Falcons selected Michael Vick with the No. 1 pick in the 2001 draft, the former Virginia Tech quarterback appeared to be the NFL's next megastar. But his career is now in ruins after he agrees to plead guilty to federal dogfighting charges that will result in significant prison time.

Sentencing was set for Dec. 10 and Vick could be sent to prison for one to five years. Vick was suspended indefinitely by the NFL last week.

In Atlanta, the Falcons said they would not cut Vick immediately because of salary-cap issues. The team intends to pursue the $22 million in bonus money that he already received in a record $130 million contract signed in 2004.

"We cannot tell you today that Michael is cut from the team," owner Arthur Blank said.

Saying he was speaking "from the heart," and looking somber, Vick made his first public statements on the dogfighting ring:

"I made a mistake of using bad judgment and making bad decisions. Those things just can't happen. Dogfighting is a terrible thing, and I do reject it."

He singled out NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, Blank, coach Bobby Petrino and his teammates for personal apologies, saying "I was not honest and forthright in our discussions."

He also apologized to "all the young kids out there for my immature acts and what I did _ and what I did was very immature. So that means I need to grow up."

"I totally ask for forgiveness and understanding as I move forward to bettering Michael Vick the person, not the football player," he said.

He concluded by saying, "I offer my deepest apologies to everyone. And I will redeem myself. I have to."

Vick took no questions.
slipknotpsycho Reviewed by slipknotpsycho on . he admitted it, hope they put him away for a long time. washingtonpost.com - nation, world, technology and Washington area news and headlines Rating: 5