Michael Vick's Sentence Ends Monday

Special to the NNPA from the St. Louis American
(NNPA) - The federal dogfighting sentence served by Michael Vick ended Monday and the world will now watch with respect to his future as a professional athlete.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell Goodell must decide whether Vick's suspension will end and, if so, when -- allowing the former Atlanta Falcons quarterback a chance to play in the league again.
Goodell is expected to act fairly quickly, so Vick and teams know his status for the coming season. Training camps for veterans start opening next weekend.
There has been communication between Vick's camp and the league about the process, although neither side is making substantive comments publicly about where things stand.
''As we said in 2007, when he was indefinitely suspended, Michael Vick's status will be reviewed following the conclusion of the legal proceedings,'' NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said.
Vick has kept silent and probably will continue to until Goodell makes an announcement.
Once Goodell's ruling is rendered, NFL clubs will have to determine what, if any, interest they have in Vick. Among the questions teams will ponder: What kind of shape is he in? What position should he play? What type of public relations hit might he bring?
NFL teams are allowed to initiate talks with Vick, because the Falcons released him in June. He was cut less than five years after signing a $130 million, 10-year contract.
With Vick's release from federal custody, he can stop wearing an electronic monitor as he begins three years' probation. He is finishing a two-month home confinement in Hampton, Va., which completes a 23-month sentence after he admitted bankrolling a dogfighting operation.

Information from the Associated Press contributed to this report.