PHILADELPHIA — Quotes from Michael Vick at the news conference Friday to address his return to the National Football League with the Philadelphia Eagles.

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“I know, as we all know, in the past I have made some mistakes, I have done some terrible things, I made a horrible mistake. And now, I want to be part of the solution and not the problem. I am making conscious efforts within the community, working with the Humane Society, hopefully I can do that locally and continue with my disciplined efforts in bringing awareness to animal cruelty and dog fighting in the inner cities and our communities.”
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“I know everybody is asking, ’Why Philadelphia?’ First off, I think it is one of the flagship organizations — great tradition, great staff, great organization, winning team. They have a great team in place and I just want to be a part of that great tradition and give this team every opportunity to win a Super Bowl.”
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“It’s a surreal feeling right now. I couldn’t have envisioned it two years ago. I was optimistic that it would happen one day but I knew it was going to be a long process. As a people, we fear the unknown and I am just happy that I have the opportunity now. I am glad that Coach Reid and the rest of the organization stepped forward, Donovan was very instrumental in that and I’m glad that I got the opportunity and a second chance. I won’t disappoint.”
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“I have been away from the game for two years and I’ve got to start somewhere, I’ve got to crawl before I walk. I can’t imagine going out after a two-year hiatus, going out and trying to be a starter for a football team, I just don’t think it can happen. With as much God-given abilities as I have, I don’t think that I would be able to do it. I think I could, but I wouldn’t risk it. I just need time to get my feet wet and get acclimated.”
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“I think everybody deserves a second chance. We all have issues, we all deal with certain things and we all have our own set of inequities. I think as long as you are willing to come back and do it the right way and do the right things and that you’re committed, then I think you deserve it. But, you only get one shot at a second chance, and I am conscious of that.”
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“I was wrong for what I did. Everything that happened at that point and time in my life was wrong and unnecessary. And, to the life of me to this day I can’t understand why I was involved in such a pointless activity and why I risked so much at the pinnacle of my career. I was naive to a lot of things. But, I figure if I can help more animals than I hurt, then I am contributing, I am doing my part.”
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“The position I play and in the National Football League in general fans require a lot out of players and we have to go out and put on a great performance, we have to put on a show for them, we have to win at the end of the day. Sometimes they are good to you, sometimes they’re not so good, but that’s a part of the game and it’s a part of this business.”
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“I’m ready to go. I’ve maintained, I’ve stayed in shape and I’ve done all the things to keep up my physical physique. It was hard when I was away but over the last two months I have been able to manage and do things to maintain my weight and my build and hopefully my speed. I’ve tested myself, tested the waters and I feel great.”
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“There was a point in my life when before I was convicted or before the allegations even came out when I knew it was wrong and I felt that it was wrong. Just when I was trying to turn the corner and it was too late, but everything happens for a reason and there is a reason I was sent to Kansas and a reason I was convicted. I was conscious of the fact that it was wrong and to this day I have to deal with that shame and that embarrassment.”
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“I’m just blessed to have an opportunity to be here with this organization. My goal is to come back and get acclimated. Whatever Coach Reid decides on, that’s what I will do. I’m just here to contribute and help win a Super Bowl.”