The Michael Vick Project: Embattled Athletes

Docu-series that follows the journey of this NFL great.

Eagles Sign Vick - Looking to add another weapon to their dynamic offense, the Philadelphia Eagles signed Michael Vick to a two-year contract. The quarterback had been out of the NFL since 2006 after a felony conviction for dogfighting landed Vick in jail for nearly two years. In his first game back in Atlanta, Vick scored two touchdowns in an Eagles 34-7 victory over the Falcons.

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Michael Vick - Vick spent 19 months in prison for his association with an interstate dogfighting ring. With his NFL salary and endorsement deals gone, Vick filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Released in May 2009, the talented quarterback was reinstated to the NFL and signed with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Barry Bonds Linked To BALCO - The poster boy of the steroid era in Major League Baseball, Barry Bonds started raising red flags following his 73 home run season in 2001.  He was linked to Victor Conte and the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative (BALCO), which allegedly provided Bonds performance-enhancing drugs for years. He admitted to using substances from trainer Greg Anderson but contends he didn’t know the items were illegal. Despite wanting to play in 2008 and 2009, none of the 30 MLB teams signed the home-run hero.

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Barry Bonds - Bonds set numerous Major League Baseball records, but in 2007 his already controversial career was halted after DNA evidence linked him to steroids. The San Francisco Giants didn’t re-sign him and he filed for free agency, but has yet to return to the MLB.

Adam Jones - Adam “Pacman” Jones was suspended from the NFL for “off-the-field conduct,” stemming from several night club incidents and other altercations. During his time off, he joined TNA wrestling, won the Tag Team Championship title, and dropped his nickname, hoping to shed his bad image.

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Adam Jones - Adam “Pacman” Jones was suspended from the NFL for “off-the-field conduct,” stemming from several night club incidents and other altercations. During his time off, he joined TNA wrestling, won the Tag Team Championship title, and dropped his nickname, hoping to shed his bad image.

Caster Semenya - Semenya won gold in the 2009 World Championships in Athens, but her significant improvement from her last major race prompted a drug investigation from the IAAF. This led to one of the highest profile cases of sex-identification in sports.

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Caster Semenya - Semenya won gold in the 2009 World Championships in Athens, but her significant improvement from her last major race prompted a drug investigation from the IAAF. This led to one of the highest profile cases of sex-identification in sports.

Jaqueline Frazier Lyde - Joe Frazier’s daughter Jackie wanted to avenge her father’s losses to Muhammad Ali by fighting Ali’s daughter, Laila. Although new to boxing, at 38, she quickly won consecutive bouts until her only loss came from Ali. The loss was followed by a lawsuit from Joe over product endorsements, which he later dropped.

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Jaqueline Frazier Lyde - Joe Frazier’s daughter Jackie wanted to avenge her father’s losses to Muhammad Ali by fighting Ali’s daughter, Laila. Although new to boxing, at 38, she quickly won consecutive bouts until her only loss came from Ali. The loss was followed by a lawsuit from Joe over product endorsements, which he later dropped.

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Mike Tyson - Known for his exploits in and out of the ring, boxer Tyson served three years in prison for sexual assault. After his release, he won several comeback fights, but lost to Evander Holyfield in 1996. Their rematch a year later ended in shock as Tyson bit off a portion of Holyfield’s ear, further damaging his reputation.

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Mike Tyson - Known for his exploits in and out of the ring, boxer Tyson served three years in prison for sexual assault. After his release, he won several comeback fights, but lost to Evander Holyfield in 1996. Their rematch a year later ended in shock as Tyson bit off a portion of Holyfield’s ear, further damaging his reputation.

Plaxico Is Not Handy With A Handgun - There’s nothing like accidentally shooting yourself in the thigh at a nightclub, as Plaxico Burress can attest. But just when you think that’s punishment enough, you find out New York City has some of the toughest gun laws in the country.  The Manhattan District Attorney aggressively prosecuted Burress, resulting in a plea deal that landed the New York Giants wide receiver behind bars for two years.

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Plaxico Burress - Footballer Burress accidentally shot himself when he tried to reach for his unregistered pistol tucked in the waist of his jeans. Authorities found out when the media reported his hospital treatment, and he turned himself in. He is currently serving a two-year prison sentence for unlawful possession of a handgun.

Marion Jones - After winning five gold medals at the 2000 Summer Olympics, Jones agreed to forfeit all medals and prizes in 2007 when she admitted taking steroids and lying about it when investigated. She was suspended from track and field for two years, but ultimately decided to retire.

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Marion Jones - After winning five gold medals at the 2000 Summer Olympics, Jones agreed to forfeit all medals and prizes in 2007 when she admitted taking steroids and lying about it when investigated. She was suspended from track and field for two years, but ultimately decided to retire.

Ray Lewis Charged For Murder - Following Super Bowl XXXIV in 2000, Ray Lewis and two other men were involved in an altercation outside an Atlanta nightclub where two men were stabbed and killed. Lewis was indicted for murder and it appeared the Baltimore Ravens linebacker would spend the rest of his life behind bars. He would testify against the two other individuals he was with in return for pleading guilty to obstruction of justice. Remarkably, Lewis not only avoided jail but also a suspension from the NFL.

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Ray Lewis - A fight involving Lewis’ entourage following a Super Bowl XXXIV party left two people dead from stab wounds. Lewis and his companions were charged with murder, but the Pro Bowl linebacker accepted a plea bargain and one year of probation. One year later he became the MVP at Super Bowl XXXV, but did not receive any of the usual championship endorsements due to the controversy.

Sean Merriman - On September 6, 2009, the San Diego Charger was charged with battery and false imprisonment when TV reality star Tila Tequila accused him of choking and restraining her when she tried to leave his home. All charges have since been dropped.

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Sean Merriman - On September 6, 2009, the San Diego Charger was charged with battery and false imprisonment when TV reality star Tila Tequila accused him of choking and restraining her when she tried to leave his home. All charges have since been dropped.

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Surya Bonaly - The French skater broke ground as the first female to land a quadruple toe loop jump at the 1991 World Figure Skating Championships, but the International Skating Union never credited her. Bonaly has since out-skated several renowned skaters in key competitions while failing to win over judges. In 2004, she officially became a U.S. citizen and went on tour.

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Surya Bonaly - The French skater broke ground as the first female to land a quadruple toe loop jump at the 1991 World Figure Skating Championships, but the International Skating Union never credited her. Bonaly has since out-skated several renowned skaters in key competitions while failing to win over judges. In 2004, she officially became a U.S. citizen and went on tour.

Terrell Owens - Selected in the third round of the NFL Draft by the 49ers, Owens is recognized as one of the most dominant receivers in the league. He went on to play for the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys, but was released by both due to controversy within the teams. Owens’ touchdown celebrations have earned him many personal fines and team penalties over the years.

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Terrell Owens - Selected in the third round of the NFL Draft by the 49ers, Owens is recognized as one of the most dominant receivers in the league. He went on to play for the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys, but was released by both due to controversy within the teams. Owens’ touchdown celebrations have earned him many personal fines and team penalties over the years.