Vick's apology rings hollow considering circumstance

Michael Vick's lawyer said the Falcons quarterback will plead guilty to dogfighting charges. Simon Bruty/SI

Michael Vick Pleads Guilty • Vick formally enters guilty plea to dogfighting • Text of Vick's post-hearing apology • McCANN: What sentence will Vick get? • Monumental day in store for Falcons • NFL suspends Vick after he files plea • DOHRMANN: What exactly did Vick admit? • McCann: Judge still plays key role in Vick case • CNN: Grim future for most fighting dogs • NAACP thinks Vick should be able to return • KING: Hard to imagine upcoming season • BANKS: NFL personnel gurus on Vick's future • Athletes prosecuted by federal government

Thoughts on the news of Michael Vick's long-awaited plea agreement ....

• Through a spokesman, Vick said he's sorry. Ironically, it was the same spokesman who stood near a courthouse a month ago and told us that Vick looked forward to clearing his good name.

Why is it I have a feeling that both statements were more than just a little disingenuous?

Vick apologized Monday, because he had no other good option. There's nothing quite like a display of sincerity that has been made mandatory by events. Vick deciding to "accept full responsibility for his actions and the mistakes he has made'' comes a bit late, if you ask me.

Late April, when the dog-fighting investigation was launched, would have been the time when sincerity and full disclosure might have gone a long ways. Before his entire world seemingly turned against him. But Vick needed almost four months, and a whole lot of dominoes to fall in the wrong direction, in order to arrive at this point of confession.

Vick and his legal team finally realized that their options had dwindled to two unpalatable choices: Strike a plea agreement and limit the damage to a life and an NFL career that has become a question mark. Or risk going to court for a trial that held far more potential to deepen his troubles, rather than deliver him from them.

So while I know it's good legal form to offer the apology as part of the plea agreement, especially in light of the effect it can have on the judge's mood during the sentencing process, excuse me for pointing out how hollow the mea culpa rings.

Vick's not the first person to say he's sorry, when what he really means is he's sorry he got caught.

• Last week, I saw that Atlanta attorney Dan Meachum, a member of Vick's legal team, was quoted saying that Vick is "a good kid in a bad situation.''

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