CHESAPEAKE, Va. - Fallen NFL star Michael Vick appears to be making good on his assertion that he's turned his life over to God after pleading guilty to a federal dogfighting charge last week.
On Saturday, the Atlanta Falcons quarterback was at a Christian school, spending time with boys whose fathers are absent from their lives. On Sunday, he and his family attended church in Chesapeake, singing and praying with other members of the congregation.
``He's come a long way already,'' said the Rev. Steven Terry, minister of Deliverance Tabernacle Church, where Vick has been attending services recently.
Terry said Vick has also been attending two or three church counseling sessions a week and has been accommodating to every suggestion the minister has made.
Vick declined comment on Sunday.
The Hampton Roads native and former Virginia Tech star will be sentenced Dec. 10 for his role in a dogfighting ring where dogs that didn't perform well were killed. The federal sentencing guideline range is projected at a year to 18 months, but the judge can impose up to the five-year maximum. Vick was also suspended indefinitely by the NFL.
``Through this situation I found Jesus and asked him for forgiveness and turned my life over to God,'' Vick said following his guilty plea last week.
Terry's sermon on Sunday was focused on redemption a typical theme in his ministry, he said.
``He has been hurt and extremely embarrassed,'' Terry said. ``I don't believe he knows how he got involved in this.''
Terry said he has asked his congregation to treat Vick with love.
``I honestly believe he's looking for forgiveness,'' Terry said. ``You don't always get that from human beings.''
(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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April 25th, 2025
3:31AM
