He said that he was "disappointed in myself" and that "dogfighting is a terrible thing and I ... reject it."
"I take full responsibility for my actions," Vick said. "Not for one second will I sit right here and point the finger and try to blame anybody else for my actions or what I've done.
"Through this situation I've found Jesus," he added. He vowed to redeem himself, saying, "I have to." Watch Vick's apology
"I got a lot of down time ... to think about my actions," he said.
A busload of Vick supporters turned out for Monday's hearing, waving signs outside the courtroom and chanting, "Michael we love you." Protesters were also on hand, including one man standing in line at the courtroom with his Chihuahua, wearing a T-shirt that read, "My dog hates Michael Vick."
About two dozen people opposed to Vick's actions quietly protested outside the Georgia Dome before Monday night's preseason game between the Falcons and the Cincinnati Bengals. With the exception of a few Vick supporters who shouted at the demonstrators, people seemed more interested in football than dogfighting. View photos of the scene outside the Georgia Dome
"We're just waiting for the football game," said Keith Christiansen, 26. He and his friends were part of a small group that gathered across from the demonstrators. "I think it's great that ... they can go and protest and do their thing, and the rest of us that are here just to enjoy the game can do ours."
Earlier Monday, Vick pleaded guilty to one count of "conspiracy to travel in interstate commerce in aid of unlawful activities and to sponsor a dog in an animal fighting venture" in a plea agreement filed in U.S. District Court in Richmond.
During the hearing, U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson asked Vick if he understood the charge. Vick responded, "Yes sir."
The judge reminded Vick that he does not have to accept the deal's recommended sentence of 12 to 18 months.
