(Agencies)
Updated: 2007-12-11 09:58

RICHMOND - Disgraced U.S. football star Michael Vick was sentenced on Monday to 23 months in prison for his role in an illegal dogfighting ring in which he had admitted he was involved in the killing of at least eight dogs.

Michael Vick, left, enters federal court with his lawyer, Billy Martin, in Richmond, Va., in this Aug. 27, 2007 file photo. Vick was sentenced to 23 months in prison Monday Dec. 10, 2007 for his role in a dogfighting conspiracy that involved gambling and killing pit bulls. [Agencies]

The former Atlanta Falcons quarterback, once one of the best players in the National Football League, pleaded guilty in August to conspiracy in connection with a dogfighting enterprise in rural Virginia known as "Bad Newz Kennels" from 2001 through April 2007.

Vick, 27, stood in the courtroom to hear his sentence wearing black-and-white striped prison garb, a far cry from the usual football jersey or elegant suit worn by the three-time Pro Bowl selection with a 10-year, $130 million contract. He had voluntarily began serving his prison term three weeks ago.

"You are instrumental in promoting, funding, and facilitating this cruel and inhumane sporting activity and I am convinced it was not a momentary lapse in judgment," Hudson told Vick as he explained his decision to sentence him to 23 months. "You were a full partner."

Vick softly said: "I would like to apologize to the court, to my family, to my kids, for what I have done."

"I'm here to say I'm willing to deal with the consequences and accept responsibility for my actions." he added.

In his guilty plea, Vick said he knew dogs that did not perform well were killed and admitted involvement in the killing of at least eight dogs. Prosecutors have said dogs sometimes fought to the death and some underperforming animals were shot, drowned, hanged or electrocuted.

Vick received a tougher-than-expected sentence. Prosecutors had originally asked the judge for 12 to 18 months.

His attorney, Billy Martin, said he hoped his client would be released in 18 months.

Prosecutors said Vick deserved a tough sentence because he was not forthcoming about whether he participated in the hands-on killing of dogs. They said he admitted to being personally involved only after taking a lie-detector test.

"He has shown contrition," said Hudson. "But on the legal side he has not shown the element of accepting responsibility."

Vick has been suspended indefinitely from the NFL and it is unclear if he'll ever play again. He was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2001 draft.

"Michael Vick's federal prison sentencing today is another step in his legal journey," Falcons owner Arthur Blank said in a statement. "This is a difficult day for Michael's family and for a lot of us, including many of our players and fans who have been emotionally invested in Michael over the years."

Vick's indictment in July shocked sports fans because it was a spectacular fall from grace and because dogfighting is widely reviled for cruelty.

Animal rights groups applauded the strong sentence.

"This is a significant moment in the history of animal cruelty prosecution and sends a clear message to criminals everywhere - that this kind of gross and barbaric cruelty to animals will not be tolerated," said Ed Sayres, president of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Vick initially pleaded not guilty but changed his plea after his co-defendants agreed to testify against him.

"He now knows that when he returns ... that he cannot in any way do anything that would injure an animal or that would otherwise show that he is not a good member of society," Martin said outside the courthouse.

Vick, who has lost about $100 million in salary and endorsements from companies like Nike Inc, has been in financial trouble, according to court documents.