Vick was imprisoned for bankrolling a dogfighting ring but has now been released and will serve two months of home confinement as his house in Virginia, before being officially released on July 20.
The 28-year-old was once the highest-paid player in the NFL when playing for the Atlanta Falcons, but he will now report for a construction job as part of his terms of home release.
"It's a happy day for him to be starting this part of the process," said Larry Woodward, Vick's Virginia-based attorney. "He looks forward to meeting the challenges he has to meet."
The biggest challenge for Vick will be trying to regain his place in the NFL, after commissioner Roger Goodell suspended him indefinitely in August 2007 and will only review the situation after his full sentenced has been served.
Remorse
Goodell says Vick will have to show significant remorse and prove he has changed his ways before he will even consider reinstatement, but such was Vick's skills as a player there is still talk of him being back in the league for the new season in September.
Part will depend on whether Vick has retained his footballing ability, but his future will most likely depend on whether any team in the NFL is willing to take a chance - and put up with the guaranteed negativity about giving him a chance.
The Falcons still own Vick's contract rights and could seek trade compensation should any club signal their interest - but he will definitely not be back playing in Atlanta, even if team owner Arthur Blank does think he deserves his chance.
"There's no question Michael's paid his debt to society, obviously," Blank said during a break at the NFL Spring Meeting in Florida.
"I have not spoken to him face to face. I have indicated that I would do anything that I can do on a personal level that would be constructive and productive for Michael, and that still hasn't changed. But we've certainly been in communication.
"We've made it clear Michael's not going to play for us again, as you know. Right now, his salary is being tolled so it has no effect on our cap, beyond the allocation of signing bonus, which happens under any circumstances. So we'll deal with it at the time we think is correct."
The 28-year-old was once the highest-paid player in the NFL when playing for the Atlanta Falcons, but he will now report for a construction job as part of his terms of home release.
"It's a happy day for him to be starting this part of the process," said Larry Woodward, Vick's Virginia-based attorney. "He looks forward to meeting the challenges he has to meet."
The biggest challenge for Vick will be trying to regain his place in the NFL, after commissioner Roger Goodell suspended him indefinitely in August 2007 and will only review the situation after his full sentenced has been served.
Remorse
Goodell says Vick will have to show significant remorse and prove he has changed his ways before he will even consider reinstatement, but such was Vick's skills as a player there is still talk of him being back in the league for the new season in September.
Part will depend on whether Vick has retained his footballing ability, but his future will most likely depend on whether any team in the NFL is willing to take a chance - and put up with the guaranteed negativity about giving him a chance.
The Falcons still own Vick's contract rights and could seek trade compensation should any club signal their interest - but he will definitely not be back playing in Atlanta, even if team owner Arthur Blank does think he deserves his chance.
"There's no question Michael's paid his debt to society, obviously," Blank said during a break at the NFL Spring Meeting in Florida.
"I have not spoken to him face to face. I have indicated that I would do anything that I can do on a personal level that would be constructive and productive for Michael, and that still hasn't changed. But we've certainly been in communication.
"We've made it clear Michael's not going to play for us again, as you know. Right now, his salary is being tolled so it has no effect on our cap, beyond the allocation of signing bonus, which happens under any circumstances. So we'll deal with it at the time we think is correct."
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