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CHAT TRANSCRIPT: Should Michael Vick Be Allowed To Play Football?

Former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick, fresh from serving 23 months in federal prison after his conviction on dog fighting charges, spoke Wednesday with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell about a possible return to the league.

According to NFL spokesman Greg Aiello, no decision has been reached regarding Vick's possible future with the NFL, but other sources said late Thursday that Vick would be reinstated late next week -- in time to sign with a team and participate in training camp and the NFL preseason. Those same sources said that Vick would have to sit out a four-game suspension before being allowed to return to full-time status in the NFL.

Vick has also received a one-year, $1.5 million offer to play for the upstart United Football League's Orlando franchise, which is set to begin play in October.

There are many viewpoints on Vick's status -- many animal lovers and animal rights activists insist that despite Vick's completion of his federal sentence, that he should not be permitted to return to football. They say that the sentence was not long enough, and to allow him to play in the NFL would be tantamount to condoning his actions.

Others point to the length of his sentence, and compare it to the recent DUI and manslaughter conviction of Cleveland Browns receiver Dante Stallworth, who served a 24 days of a 30-day sentence for that death. Stallworth has been indefinitely suspended by the NFL in connection with his guilty plea in court.

A Bentley sedan driven by Stallworth struck and killed a 59-year-old pedestrian in Miami Beach in March 2009. Stallworth registered a 0.12 blood alcohol level when tested, above the Florida legal limit of 0.08.

Friday evening, we held a live chat on 11Alive.com to talk about the Michael Vick case, and whether or not you feel that Vick should be permitted to return to play in the NFL.

Posted By: Michael King
CHAT TRANSCRIPT: Should Michael Vick Be Allowed To Play Football? - 11Alive.com | WXIA | Atlanta, GA

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