Vick leaves federal prison

LEAVENWORTH, Kan., May 20 (UPI) -- Former NFL quarterback Michael Vick left a federal prison in Kansas Wednesday where he served 19 months after pleading guilty to dogfighting charges.

The Daily Press, a Newport News, Va., newspaper, said Vick left the prison in Leavenworth, Kan., about 4 a.m. and was expected to drive to his home in Virginia where he is to meet with probation officials this week.

Vick, 28, pleaded guilty in August 2007 to a conspiracy charge as part of a plea agreement. In December, he was sentenced to 23 months in prison. He is to spend the rest of his sentence in home confinement and will work at a construction job as part of a work-release program.

"I hope the young man has learned, because what he has been through is a traumatic experience," Hall of Fame member and former NFL coach Marv Levy told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "I hope, and I stress hope, his attitude when he returns is not one of belligerence."

Vick and three other men pleaded guilty to charges related to an investigation of an alleged dogfighting ring on Vick's property in Virginia. Investigators said several dogs were killed, either in fights or because the dogs didn't fight well enough, but Vick denied personally killing any animals.

Vick was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2001 NFL draft by the Atlanta Falcons. He played six seasons for the Falcons, earning Pro Bowl status three times. He was suspended by the NFL after his guilty plea.