Former Virginia Tech quarterback Michael Vick showed little outward emotion as he stood in a black and white prison jumpsuit before a federal judge Monday. 

But after U.S. District Judge Henry Hudson ordered Vick to serve 23 months in prison and banned him from being around any dogs except in a helpful capacity, Vick returned to the defense table and slumped forward in his cranberry-colored leather chair. He rested his head briefly in his hands as he rubbed his eyes. Then he turned to look at the two rows of family behind him. He sighed and looked sad. 

"I'd like to apologize to the court, to my family for all my wrongful doings," he told the judge before sentencing. 

"I think you need to apologize to the millions of young people who looked up to you," Hudson replied. 

During a 45-minute hearing in federal court in downtown Richmond, dozens of media outlets, Vick supporters and animal rights activists gathered in and around the courthouse to learn what sentence Vick would receive for his role in financing a dog fighting operation with three associates in Surry County. 

After hearing from both prosecutors and defense attorneys, Hudson ordered Vick to serve 23 months in prison and banned him from being around any dogs except in a helpful capacity.

"I received literally thousands of letters and almost all of them condemned dog fighting, but some of them supported you," Hudson told Vick. "I received a letter from the mayor of Atlanta, George Foreman, Hank Aaron and the pastor of your church in Atlanta." 

Hudson noted that Vick didn't have a criminal record and that his actions had already had "monumental consequences" for Vick. 

"However, you were instrumental in putting together this cruel and inhumane operation. I know you were a full participant," Hudson said. "I'm not convinced you fully accepted responsibility." 

Hudson also sentenced Vick, who pleaded guilty Aug. 27 and turned himself into the U.S. Marshal Service nearly three weeks ago to start serving his time, to three years of supervised release as well as substance abuse counseling and testing if requested by probation. 

Vick is also not allowed to own a handgun or take out any lines of credit or a mortgage without the authorization of his probation officer. The NFL suspended him indefinitely from the league earlier this year. 

Vick's sentence fell within the federal guidelines after Hudson ruled that Vick was not entitled to a two-level reduction based on his conflicting statements to authorities and his failure to fully admit his role in personally hanging and drowning two of the dogs that did not perform well. 

Vick's defense attorneys told the judge that Vick tested positive for marijuana while on probation and admitted it because he was depressed and it was his way of "self medicating." 

"You have somebody that tries to please everyone," attorney Billy Martin said of Vick. "We have a young man who we think is in need of continued psychotherapy and counseling." 

Martin said Vick's pre-sentence investigation report, which is not a public document, is humiliating in parts and shows the "dysfunction" in his family. 

"He had numbed himself in life and that was his way of surviving," Martin said. "It was not a pathological misrepresentation. It was a defense mechanism." 

Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Gill said Vick knew from the beginning he had to be honest about yet he denied having a hands-on role. 

"We believe it was a calculated effort to hide the truth," Gill said. 

After he apologized to the judge, Vick asked for a second chance. 

"I used poor judgment and made mistakes along the way. I'm here to say I'm willing to deal with the consequences and to continue to educate (against) dog fighting. 

"I hope to show that Michael Vick is not the person we've seen and read about." 

Vick's three co-defendants have also pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to traffic in interstate commerce in aid of illegal gambling and to sponsor a dog in animal fighting. Just over a week ago, a federal judge sentenced two of them, Purnell Peace and Quanis Phillips, to 18 months and 21 months respectively in a federal prison for their role in the operation. Co-defendant Tony Taylor will be sentenced Friday.

Vick had plenty of supporters both in the courtroom and on East Main Street. Shawn Dodson, 33, who wore a Vick jersey and got to Richmond by 6 a.m. after driving from Lynchburg, said he thought the judge's sentence was too stiff. 

"I think the prosecutors were being too harsh on him," said Dodson, who's watched Vick since he played for Virginia Tech. "I think he'll still be back. Whatever team picks him, I'll be there. If they're real true fans, they'll wait for him." 

A group of about 20 PETA protestors carrying pictures of abused dogs with the phrase "Dogs Deserve Justice" also lined the street.

John P. Goodwin, manager of animal fighting issues for the Humane Society, said there was a silver lining in Vick's case because it shown a spotlight on the issue. He pointed out that 25 states now have proposed legislation against dog fighting on their 2008 agenda. He said the Humane Society would now be turning its focus to the 40,000 other people involved in dog fighting. He said didn't know if Vick should be allowed to play football again. 

"I think (the sentence) sent a strong message to people involved in dog fighting," he said. "His career is surely curtailed. I do believe in redemption. But it needs to be sincere." 

w To read more about the timeline of events, go here.