BRISTOL, Conn., May 27 (UPI) -- An informant, interviewed by ESPN, said Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick is "one of the heavyweights" in dog fighting, the cable channel said Sunday.
The source said he has trained and fought about 2,000 dogs for more than 30 years. He told ESPN's "Outside the Lines" one of his dogs fought in 2000 against a dog owned by Vick.
"He's a pit bull fighter," said the source, who insisted on remaining anonymous.
The source said Vick bet $30,000 to $40,000 -- and sometimes even more -- on dog fights.
"He's one of the heavyweights," said the source.
Authorities in April raided a house in Virginia owned by Vick, and reportedly found 66 dogs, mostly pit bulls. They also found a dog-fighting pit, bloodstained carpets and equipment commonly associated with dog fighting, ESPN said.
Vick has denied knowledge of dog fighting at the property, and no charges have been filed against him.
The NFL said it supported "a thorough investigation into any allegations of this type of activity," and that any NFL employee proved to be involved "will be subject to prompt and significant discipline."
