Associated Press
WASHINGTON ó Michael Vick has a place in minor league football if he doesn’t head back to the NFL.
The former Atlanta Falcons quarterback, whose federal sentence for dogfighting ends July 20, would we welcomed by The Minor Football League, consisting of professional teams in Washington, D.C., Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania.
The president and founder of the MFL, Richard Myles, said Wednesday the league is willing to give him a place to play while the NFL decides his fate.
“One of the things that is important to the MFL is to showcase the quality of the players and the coaches who want to transition into the NFL, as well as give back to our communities by mentoring our youths,” Myles said.
“Every player in the MFL is required to perform 100 hours of community service. Vick could serve as an example to our youths by demonstrating good citizenship while maintaining his skills and edge playing with the MFL. I believe that everyone deserves an opportunity to redeem themselves and that Vick is on the right path to redemption.”
ARRESTED
TRENTON, N.J. ó Former U.S. figure skating champion Nicole Bobek is out of a New Jersey jail but not out of trouble.
The 31-year-old, who faces charges of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine in Hudson County, posted bail on Monday night. She was arrested in Florida last week.
Her mother doubts the 1995 U.S. figure skating champion would do something illegal, but says if she did, it was because of the company she keeps.
Jana Bobek says her daughter likes to “party.”
NASCAR
INDIANAPOLIS ó Two-time Allstate 400 winner Tony Stewart said Wednesday he is confident Goodyear has solved the tire problems that plagued last year’s race at the Brickyard.
Stewart is among the drivers who have participated in Goodyear’s seven test sessions at the track since last year.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
SALT LAKE CITY ó After taking its fight to change the Bowl Championships Series to Congress, the Mountain West Conference is reluctantly agreeing to a BCS television deal.
The MWC still doesn’t receive an automatic berth to a BCS game, but needed to sign the agreement with ESPN so the league’s nine schools would still be eligible to play in one of the top-tier bowls.
CYCLING
PERPIGNAN, France ó In less than 48 hours, Lance Armstrong will have answered the last unresolved question about his capacity to win an eighth Tour de France: Can he still climb?
The 37-year-old Texan is second overall, but about to face his toughest test in this year’s Tour as the grueling three-week race arrives in the Pyrenees mountains.
Armstrong is second overall, by a fraction of a second.