Michael Vick, a former one of the most legendary quarterbacks in the NFL, had a career as exciting as it was contentious. Vick was a game-breaker, introducing football to a new brand of play. But behind the flashes of brilliance on the field, there was a dark stain that would taint his legacy forever. Back in 2007, authorities accused Michael Vick of running a dogfighting ring. This was no minor scandal; this was a full-fledged federal case. The scandal cost him big in the professional world. In 2004, back when, the Atlanta Falcons regarded Vick as their golden child. They awarded him a 10-year, $130 million contract, the richest contract in NFL history at the time.

It all fell apart with the dogfighting scandal of 2007. When the news emerged, the Falcons and the NFL were under massive pressure to do something right. The team initially suspended Vick indefinitely without compensation, and then the NFL intervened. Commissioner Roger Goodell wrote Vick a letter that effectively spelled it all out: “Your admitted conduct was not only illegal, but also cruel and reprehensible. Your team, the NFL, and NFL fans have all been hurt by your actions.”

If you’ve been following his narrative, then you know that when the scandal hit, Vick didn’t merely go quiet or attempt to duck out. He confronted it head-on. In 2009, he addressed the public for the very first time and admitted, “I wanted to apologise for all the things I’ve done. I will redeem myself.” He openly discussed his regret for his past actions and how they changed the course of his life. In a recent appearance on Melvin Rodriguez’s podcast, he shared, “I wish I was more mature and felt different about it. I wish the day I got drafted, I was like okay, I can’t do no stupid shit.”. He explains how, “being young, being immature”, he didn’t realize how serious his commitment to the NFL was. He acknowledged that he surrounded himself with bad company and failed to grasp the gravity of his actions.

Vick admitted years ago that the worst part was not losing his freedom or his NFL career—it was seeing the suffering he inflicted on the animals and the letdown he caused for those who admired him. In the upcoming Melvin Rodriguez’s podcast episode, releasing on 28th May, he might delve into those times in prison when it hit him like a ton of bricks: he had squandered a once-in-a-lifetime chance for something so reckless. Vick has also made it clear that he takes responsibility for what he did. When asked if he truly believed that he has “redeemed” himself? He discussed the steps he has taken since then—cooperating with animal rights organizations, speaking out against dogfighting, and attempting to educate people so they don’t repeat the same mistakes.

Michael Vick’s actions cost him heavily.

Michael Vick’s legal woes were a whirlwind, and the aftermath was tremendous, both in court and in his pocket. Back in 2007, authorities indicted Vick on federal felony charges for operating an outlawed dogfighting ring known as “Bad Newz Kennels.” This was no slap on the wrist; prosecutors charged Vick with bankrolling the entire enterprise, fighting dogs, and even helping to kill underperforming dogs. The feds charged him under the RICO Act.

During the time he was out on bail, Vick tested positive for marijuana use, which landed him in a stint of house arrest with electronic monitoring until sentencing. In December 2007, the court sentenced him to a 23-month federal prison term, placing him at the upper end of the range due to his deep involvement in the case. He served approximately 21 months in prison, initially in Virginia and subsequently in Kansas, before they released him in July 2009. They supervised him on probation for three years after his release from prison and prohibited him from having dogs during that period. But the courtroom saga did not end there.

Nike, Rawlings, Reebok, and the rest severed ties soon after the scandal erupted. The public outcry was fierce, and brands were unwilling to associate with the adverse publicity surrounding Vick. Meanwhile, Vick’s finances plummeted. With his NFL career in limbo, legal bills mounting, and no income stream, he declared bankruptcy in 2008.

Virginia also indicted him on state felonies of dogfighting. In a plea bargain, he received a suspended three-year sentence and a $2,500 fine on top of all that. The entire experience was financially disastrous. Vick had filed for bankruptcy during his time in prison—he’d lost his NFL salary, endorsements, and the huge $120 million contract with the Falcons. Upon his release, he was beginning from square one, both professionally and financially. He will never outrun the shadow of his past, but in striving to be better, to educate others, and to take responsibility, Vick is proving that even the most tarnished legacies can be rewritten.