Michael Vick Apologizes but Fans Still Divided

Aug. 17, 2009— -- Michael Vick is taking responsibility for his actions, the NFL football star said in an interview Sunday night.

"The first day I walked into prison and they slammed that door, I knew the magnitude of the decisions that I make and the poor judgment and what I allowed to happen to the animals," Vick said on "60 Minutes."

Vick, 29, was convicted of conspiracy and running a dog-fighting organization in August 2007 and served 18 months in prison. The former quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons was once the highest paid player in the NFL. The Philadelphia Eagles signed Vick to a contract last week.

"There is no way of explaining the hurt and the guilt that I felt," he said. "And that was the reason I cried so many nights."

But forgiveness may not come so easily, judging by protestors at Eagles' practices this weekend holding up signs reading things like "Hide Your Beagle, Vick's an Eagle."

Vick was convicted for training dogs in death matches and killing the ones that underperformed by shooting, drowning, hanging and electrocution.

Many of Vick's former dogs are still being rehabilitated. The toughest cases were brought to the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Utah.

Among them were Georgia, her body scarred from fighting, and Cherry, used as a bait dog, who is now terrified of people.

But through positive reinforcement, dedicated trainers are able to slowly draw out these abused animals, animals they say are worth saving.

"I personally believe that every one of them is going to find a great home or, if need be, we will take care of them the rest of their lives," trainer John Garcia said.