It’s probably safe to say that former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick will not be sending Christmas cards out this year. Vick was a first round draft pick in 2001 and had a decorated career with the Falcons. In 2006, he was reportedly one of the most highly paid athletes in the United States and it appeared that Vick was on the fast track to the NFL Hall of Fame. In early 2007, though, Vick found himself in hot water and all of his aspirations and dreams for his future in NFL football came crashing down. He was investigated, charged and sentenced to prison on federal dog fighting charges, and this year, he will spend Christmas reading his Christmas cards in an orange jumpsuit behind bars.

PETA Christmas card featuring Michael Vick...in jail!

Outspoken animal rights group, PETA, released an online Christmas card last year satirizing Vick’s brush with the law. Vick is depicted inside a snow globe behind the walls of a highly guarded prison. He is clad in recognizable prison garb and has a ball and chain around his ankle. Visitors to the PETA site can shake up the snow globe and watch Vick tumble around inside of it. Ironically, two ferocious dogs lie on either side of him and show their sharp teeth whenever the globe is jostled. You can also watch as the former football star kicks a pigskin in the air, which inevitably falls back to earth to hit him on the head.

Vick is scheduled to be released from prison in November 2009. Although this is his last Christmas in jail, his friends and family shouldn’t expect to receive Christmas cards from him anytime in the near future. Because of his suspension from the NFL, extraordinary legal fees, and lost wages, Vick filed for bankruptcy. He has a lot of work to do to rebuild his reputation upon his release…maybe Christmas cards should be at the top of his list. He just better make sure that he doesn’t send one to PETA!