Michael Vick press conference: I was wrong for what I did

  Michael Vick at press conference with Tony Dungy. AP/M.Rourke

Tony Dungy, no longer in the NFL sat at the podium next to Michael Vick and Philadelphia head coach Andy Reid. See slideshow at bottom.

Dungy spoke longer than Reed and touched on why he got involved with Michael Vick's rehabilitation. He said that he asked the former quarterback, "where was the lord in all this?" After hearing Vick's desire to live like he still had a deity involved in his day-to-day life, Dungy believed Vick's interest in changing his life for the better.

And then Vick spoke without any notes both while giving his statement and while answering questions. He gets high marks for that in my book. Remember A-Rod's halting words during his press conference?  Vick's demeanor was pitch perfect. He was serious but not sullen, he was remorseful but not grovelling and had clearly thought about how to answer questions concerning his judgment calls in the past.

If the public was looking for tears they got none but the media kept pecking away at the same subjects to try and get him to articulate how he could have been a person who tortured dogs and now a contrite man who wants to live a very different life.

Initially, until he got more comfortable in front of the room, he used the hackneyed catch phrases used by athletes who don't necessarily have a great command of the language. But as the news conference progressed, he was able to touch parts of him that were willing to be more open and speak about the realizations he has had including how his action have affected others.

Vick said: "I was wrong for what I did. Everything at that point in my life was wrong, I was involved in pointless activity. We all do certain things and have things in our lives. I think everyone deserves a second chance. But you only get one chance at a second chance and I am conscious of that.

We all used the excuse of it being part of the culture. I don't think that's right. i saw peoples' reactions once I went to prison, and I realized they care about their animals. That's why I want to help animals, do what I have to do. I want to help more animals than I hurt.

It was a part of my life that I felt was wrong, I was trying to turn the corner but it was too late. There is a reason for everything in life. I have to deal with that shame and embarrassment. I knew it was wrong. It was unethical and inhumane. I paid my debt to society, two years away from my family. It was a humbling experience. I can't express how sorry I was. I had to explain to my three kids it was because of Daddy's faults. I wanted a second chance at being a better father and to show them the way."

Andy Reed wouldn't say much about how his new acquisition will fit into the offense and he pointedly said that he wasn't going to give his opponents' coaches any ideas that will help them.

All in all, a good start, in my opinion. But it's only that, a start. Tony Dungy might be visiting Philadelphia more than he every expected. But then again, a smooth hand-off to the next level of mentors/protectors might just work too.