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and passing for 2,313. He threw 14 touchdowns and rushed for three. Again, he was selected to the Pro Bowl and led his team to the NFC championship game, where they lost to the Philadelphia Eagles.

At the end of the 2004 season, Vick signed a 10-year, $130 million contract with the Atlantic Falcons. The contract made him the highest paid player in NFL history. Vick was selected for the Pro Bowl, once again, in 2005. He became the spokesperson for many companies such as Nike, Coca-Cola, Powerade, Rawlings and Airtran. Forbes ranked Vick thirty-third among its top 100 celebrities.

His downfall began in March 2005, when a woman sued Vick for knowingly transferring genital herpes to her. She alleged that prior to engaging in sexual contact with Vick, Vick received treatment at numerous clinics for the disease under the alias "Ron Mexico." He settled the lawsuit with her for an undisclosed amount. In 2006, he made an obscene gesture at fans in Atlanta, causing many to question his character.

In April 2007, an investigation regarding dog fighting activity on one of Vick's properties drew media attention. Over seventy dogs, most pit bulls, were seized by authorities. The dog fighting ring operated under the name "Bad Newz Kennels," which was a nickname for Vick's neighborhood growing up. Initially, Vick denied the allegations, placing the blame on friends and family who took advantage of him and his property. As the investigation continued, it became increasingly clear that the American people were actually the ones being taken advantage of. Vick was directly involved with the dog fighting ring. He financed the operation and participated in dog fights and executions. As more and more of the gruesome facts were revealed, fans grew silent. America couldn't believe that this Nike sponsored, hundred-million dollar athlete would stoop so low. Federal and state charges resulted. On December 10, 2007, the court sentenced Vick to twenty-three months in federal prison.

Never has an athlete tumbled as quickly and furiously as Michael Vick. In four short months, he went from being one of the best professional athletes in the business to being stripped of his sponsorships and suspended indefinitely from the NFL. Dog fighting implanted itself into the minds and hearts of Americans across the country. The images of helpless animals being tortured in order for soulless individuals to make a quick buck felt so inhumane that virtually everyone has turned their back on Michael

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