The Falcons sought to recover the bonuses after Vick pleaded guilty to federal charges in a dogfighting operation. The bonuses were paid from 2004-2007.
A special master ruled in October that the Falcons were entitled to recover the bonuses. The Falcons argued that Vick used proceeds from a contract he signed in 2004 to finance his illicit activities.
But U.S. District Judge David Doty of Minneapolis ruled that the Falcons' recovering the bonus money would violate the NFL collective bargaining agreement. The agreement does not allow signing bonuses to be forfeited for years a player has already performed.
Arguments turned on interpretations of the collective bargaining agreement. At a November hearing, a union attorney argued that Vick's "roster bonus" should be treated the same as a "performance bonus," which can't be forfeited under the agreement. The league maintained that the roster bonus should be treated like a "signing bonus allocation," which could be forfeited.
Personally, I thought it was pretty smarmy for the Falcon's to go after his signing bonus for the years he did provide them services. Besides..the man is broke..his last known bank account was taken to provide services and support for the dogs that were taken from his property.
My pitbull Baby was horribly mistreated when she came into our lives, she was afraid of her own shadow and any loud noise would cause her to shake uncontrollably. She didn't know how to play or what toys were for. She was the sweetest dog I have ever had and not a day goes by that I don't miss her. She loved all the cats in our house, and both the smaller dogs as well. She died a year and a half ago from cancer. Her time with us was much too short. I am glad that Vick's dogs have been given a second chance at a decent, loving life and not just put down without a thought.
Vick was dressed in a black-and-white striped prison suit and apologized to the his family and to the judge.
"You need to apologize to the millions of young people who looked up to you," responded U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson.
Vick also acknowledged he used "poor judgment" and added he was ready to accept responsibility.
CHARLESTON, S.C. - An incredulous judge sentenced a man to three years in prison for tossing a 10-week-old puppy off an apartment balcony during an argument with his girlfriend.
The Yorkiepoo, a cross between a Yorkshire terrier and a poodle, was in a soft-sided container but suffered head injuries and had to be put to death.
Javon Patrick Morris, 22, apologized for throwing the puppy off the third-floor balcony last March and pleaded guilty to animal cruelty.
"You mean he threw a helpless animal off three floors because he was mad at someone?" Circuit Judge Edward Cottingham asked a prosecutor before issuing the sentence Thursday.
The judge, who has owned nine dogs, said he was obligated to issue a tough sentence.
"There is nobody in this world that can understand that," Cottingham said.
He sentenced Morris to five years, suspended to three years in prison and two years of probation. Morris, who will be eligible for parole in 20 months, also was ordered to get anger management counseling.
"I've got to send a message to all dog lovers that we are going to protect that interest in our courtrooms," Cottingham said.
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