Michael Vick's Prison Journey Begins

Today, Michael Vick headed off to prison to begin serving whatever sentence the judge hands down at his December 10 hearing. That's right, he voluntarily went to prison early in an effort to get his time served started as soon as possible, and to possibly earn a lighter sentence because of his willingness to accept responsibility for his actions.

Right now, it's believed that Vick will be sentenced to about 1.5 years. Whatever he receives, it will take him a long way from being a #1 draft pick, and signing a 10-year $130 million contract.

UNH Keepin' It Gangsta

When you hear the name "University of New Hampshire" it probably conjures up images of drive-bys, gang signs and organized beatdowns. And rightfully so because their backup QB has been charged with murder after he and his friends beat a surfer to death in San Diego.

The backup quarterback for the University of New Hampshire has been charged with murder and suspended from the team, university officials said Friday.

Junior Henri "Hank" Hendricks was charged with murder, assault and battery in San Diego in connection with the beating death of a professional surfer. He will be arraigned on Sept. 10.

San Diego media outlets reported that police said that Hendricks and four others are members of a gang known as the Bird Rock Bandits. They are accused of killing Emery Kauanui Jr. on May 24

Apparently Kauanui spilled his drink on one of Hendricks' friends, and they all decided to retaliate.

Kauanui, 24, died May 28, four days after he was beaten in La Jolla. Seth Cravens, 21; Eric House, 20; Matthew Yanke, 21; and Orlando Osuna, 22, were previously charged in connection with the meeting.

Prosecutors said that Cravens delivered the fatal blow to Kauanui in a fight that started between Kauanui and House. According to Kauanui's girlfriend, the fight began when Kauanui accidentally spilled his drink on House.

Supposedly there were MySpace accounts for some of the guys involved, but I couldn't find them.

Some members of the Bird Rock Bandits maintained MySpace pages that glorified their love of football, drinking, drug use and other activities, although several of the sites have been edited since the arrests.

Osuna's MySpace page lists his interests as girls, watching football, skateboarding and snowboarding. He says he would like to meet Bob Marley, the reggae-music legend, who died in 1981.

Apparently, these guys played high school football together, though they seemed to have be in trouble during those times as well. Nothing like using your teamwork skills to kill someone.

Two of the suspects, Cravens and House, played football at La Jolla High. David Ponsford, their coach, said he wasn't shocked to learn of the accusations against them.

“I had heard some stuff about them just hanging around and partying,” Ponsford said. His reaction to the arrests: “I guess the best words are 'surprised' and 'disappointed.' ”

Both youths challenged authority at times during their football-playing days, Ponsford said of Cravens, who was a running back, and House, a receiver and linebacker.

It's sad to hear that Hendricks, the one that has made the most of his football talent, got caught up in this mess. From the UNH site it sounds like he had some decent QB skills.

Hendricks has shown great improvement heading into his junior season and is slated as the backup quarterback. Posted a solid effort in UNH’s spring football game completing 14-24 passes for 165 yds. and a pair of TDS, along with no interceptions.

Unfortunately, it looks like he'll be quarterbacking a prison team for the next few years.

Mike Tyson Wishes They Had This Policy When He Was Locked Up

Today, a female thai boxer was released on parole after she won the world light-flyweight title. In a "prison yard bout".

Samson Sor Siriporn, Thailand's first female boxing world champion, was released three years early after she beat Japan’s Ayaka Miyano. And she responded like any great champion should, by telling the haters that she doesn't care about them.

“Thanks for those who supported a convict like me,” Siriporn said at a press conference after her release. “Some may not agree but I don’t care. I am happy that there are people willing to support me. I like to thank all the officials as well.”

It is unfortunate that she forgot to thank her corner that consisted of inmate Dufresne and guard Hadley. Just think about how many athletes wouldn't have had their careers shortened by a pesky jail sentence.

Obviously there's Tyson, who wouldn't have had to spend those three years locked up. Darryl Strawberry probably could have avoided some of his legal woes by beating other convicted individuals in a homerun derby. Strawberry's former teammate Dwight Gooden could have even helped out in exchange for a lighter sentence. This sounds like something a successful presidential candidate should support, or at the very least a crazy one.