Marcus Vick decided to turn pro Saturday, one day after he was kicked off the Virginia Tech team for transgressions on and off the field.
“I am very excited about this opportunity and look forward to proving my athletic ability at the professional level,” the junior quarterback said in a statement released through his lawyers.
Vick said he appreciated the trust Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer placed in him during his stay at Virginia Tech, and said “I deeply regret that I allowed my competitive emotions to take control” in the Gator Bowl.
“To all of the Virginia Tech community, I sincerely apologize.”
Virginia Tech cited the cumulative effects of Vick’s legal problems and his unsportsmanlike conduct in the Jan. 2 bowl in dismissing him from the team Friday.
During the game, he was caught on tape stomping on the left calf of Louisville All-America defensive end Elvis Dumervil after a tackle. Vick claimed it was an accident.
“We have received hundreds of letters from fans and alumni who are disturbed by what they saw,” university President Charles Steger said Saturday.
Bush still Texans’ man
The Houston Texans will select USC running back Reggie Bush with the No. 1 pick in April’s NFL draft, pending the formality of Bush announcing that he is turning pro, team and league sources told ESPN’s Chris Mortensen.
Almost nothing will change that course, the sources said, even after the Texans received word Friday from an intermediary representing Texas quarterback Vince Young that the Houston native is leaning strongly to also going pro.
The Texans will pick up an $8 million option on quarterback David Carr.
Extra points
The Chiefs were close to coming to terms with Herman Edwards on a contract that would make him their next head coach, a person with knowledge of the negotiations told the Associated Press. The two sides are reportedly talking about an agreement that would give Edwards, 51, between $4 million and $5 million a year. . . . Bills defensive coordinator Jerry Gray met with the Texans on Saturday, the only defensive coach interviewed to replace fired coach Dom Capers. . . . UCLA junior tailback and kick returner Maurice Drew will enter the NFL draft.
