You can’t escape from Michael Vick in the media these days. Since initial allegations rose a few months ago accusing the Atlanta Falcolns quaterback of participating in dogfighting. Now the state of Georgia is pressing criminal charges, and the NFL has officially suspended Vick without pay. His image looks irredeemable. People may not agree on whether abortion is wrong or who will make the best president in 2008, but it’s practically impossible to get someone to say they hate animals and think it’s a-ok to abuse and/or kill them.
So how do you redeem the irredeemable? Vick’s taking a pretty conventional path. Following in the footsteps of Paris Hilton, Vick has found God. Jesus, more specifically.

TMZ.com reports on Vick’s press conference this morning:

“I will redeem myself” said Vick, “I have to.”
Vick wasn’t specific about the acts he was sorry for, but declared, “Dogfighting is a terrible thing. I reject it.”
Between apologies to everyone from NFL commissioner Roger Goodell to Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank–to all the kids who used to look up to him, Vick declared that he’s found Jesus and has turned his life over to God.

The conference ended with Vick adding, “I totally ask for forgiveness and understanding as I move forward to be a better Michael Vick the person, not the football player.”