MICHAEL VICK BLAMES HIMSELF: "I WASN'T A LEADER," HE SAYS, VOWING TO HELP PUT AN END TO DOGFIGHTING ? "60 MINUTES" SUNDAY

Former NFL Star Appears in his First Interview Since his Dogfighting Conviction and Reinstatement to the League

Michael Vick, the former pro quarterback, says he alone is to blame for not stepping up to end the illegal dogfighting that resulted in a prison sentence and his suspension from the NFL.

Vick tells CBS Sports "NFL TODAY" anchor James Brown the dogfights were "wrong" and he feels badly about participating in them and that he deserves to have lost all he did. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell last month conditionally restored Vick to the league, after meeting with Vick and hearing his apology. Vick says he has reflected on his actions, missed the game and is ready to start playing again. The interview will be broadcast on 60 MINUTES Sunday, Aug. 16 (7:00-8:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

Vick also talks about his time in prison, where he says he had time to think about what he had done, realized what he had lost and often cried at night in his cell.

The following excerpt from this Sunday's 60 MINUTES interview appeared on tonight's CBS EVENING NEWS WITH KATIE COURIC. Watch an excerpt of Vick's interview.

JAMES BROWN: And the operation, Michael, that you pleaded guilty to bankrolling, to being a part of, engaged in barbarous treatment of the animals-- beating them, shooting them, electrocuting them, drowning them-- horrific things, Michael-- what about the dogs? What about the dogs?

MICHAEL VICK: It's wrong, man...I feel, you know, some tremendous hurt behind what happened. And, you know, I should have took the initiative to stop it all...I didn't-- I didn't step up. I wasn't a leader.

JAMES BROWN: So for the cynics who will say, "You know what? I don't know. Michael Vick might be more concerned about the fact that his career was hurt than dogs were hurt."

MICHAEL VICK: I mean, football don't even matter.