Vick says he cried in prison because of guilt

NEW YORK – Michael Vick says he cried in prison because of the guilt he felt about being involved in dogfighting, and was disgusted with himself for allowing it to happen.

In an interview with “60 Minutes” that aired Sunday night, Vick said the day he walked into prison he realized “the magnitude of the decisions that I made.

“And, you know, it’s no way of, you know, explaining, you know, the hurt and the guilt that I felt. And that was the reason I cried so many nights. And that put it all into perspective,” he said.

A three-time Pro Bowl pick during six seasons with the Atlanta Falcons, Vick served 18 months in federal prison for running a dogfighting ring and was reinstated last month by the NFL after being out of action since 2006. He signed with the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday.

“I was disgusted, you know, because of what I let happen to those animals,” he said. “I could’ve put a stop to it. I could’ve walked away from it. I could’ve shut the whole operation down.”

Vick said he initially lied about being involved in dogfighting because he realized his career was in jeopardy.

Vick also admitted his reputation as a player who didn’t work hard and relied mostly on his athletic ability was warranted.

“I was lazy. You know, I was the last guy in the building, first guy out,” Vick said. “You know, I hear everything that people say. And that hurt me when I heard that, but I know it was true.”