Michael Vick Looks Toward Future And Recounts Dogfighting Past With Autobiography “Finally Free”

Michael Vick wants to “tell it his way” and he’s doing it with his autobiography, Finally Free, set to hit bookshelves on September 4th.

Michael Vick began writing his autobiography during his 21 month incarceration in Leavenworth, Kansas for his role in a dogfighting ring. Bored and looking to pass the time, he wrote 70 pages in one day reports USA Today. Vick says the main reason for writing Finally Free is to help others who have made serious mistakes while at the same time being able to “tell it my way.”

“People are always going to have their opinions and feel the way that they do. You can’t change it. The reason I’m writing this book is so people can have an understanding and not just go off of what they see on TV or what they heard, the picture that’s been created.”

Vick accepts the fact that dogfighting will always be a part of his legacy but that he’s trying to make up for it:

“I’ve made peace with it, because I have no control over it. It’s not like I could do it all over again. But at the same time, I think I made a lot of changes for the better and I think in my quest to be an advocate against dogfighting and working with the Humane Society, I’ve helped more animals than I’ve hurt, and I continue to do that.”

In the autobiography, excerpts of which were provided to USA Today, Michael Vick touches on everything from his tough childhood growing up in New Newsport, Va. and the first time he watched a dogfight at 8 years old, to his first touchdown and how it felt, from his time in prison to how he wants to win (and promises to win) a Superbowl.

“Back when I was involved in those activities [dogfighting], I may have become more dedicated to the deep study of dogs than I was to my Falcons playbook (Vick played in Atlanta from 2001-06). I became better at reading dogs than reading defenses. That’s just so sad to say right now, because I put more time and effort into trying to master that pursuit than my own profession… which was my livelihood… which put food on the table for my family.”

He also talks about lobbying Congress for animal welfare law:

“I wanted to make real tangible and positive changes on behalf of animal welfare. The trip to Congress is another step toward fulfilling my promise to help more animals than I hurt.”

Vick makes a special dedication and promise on trying to win a Super Bowl in the book stating:

“My story is not finished. I have more to do. I have something that I want to give back to everyone that supported me. Here it is: I am committed, focused and determined to win a Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles. This is my promise. It is my drive. I will work like a champion to get there. I want to do it for my family, friends, mentors, coaches, teammates, and fans. I want to do it for Philly.”

Check out part of the interview courtesy of USA Today as Michael Vick talks about his reason for writing his autobiography Finally Free, his time in prison, and his reflections of the year.

Do you think Michael Vick will fulfill his promise of a Super Bowl? Will you be one of the one’s grabbing Finally Free when it hits stores on Sept. 4th?