The quarterback of the Atlanta Falcons, Michael Vick, was suspended from NFL indefinitely without pay, shortly after he filed his plea agreement admitting to conspiring in a dog fighting ring.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell wrote Michael Vick to inform him he is suspended until further notice. "Your admitted conduct was not only illegal, but also cruel and reprehensible," Goodell wrote. "Your team, the NFL, and NFL fans have all been hurt by your actions."

“Even if you personally did not place bets, as you contend, your actions in funding the betting and your association with illegal gambling both violate the terms of your NFL Player Contract and expose you to corrupting influences in derogation of one of the most fundamental responsibilities of an NFL player.''

Roger Goodell will wait for the legal process to run its course before deciding how long Vick's suspension should run, but under the NFL's rules Vick is facing even a life ban.

Earlier, the league barred Vick from training camp, condemned his conduct and said he had not been candid with NFL officials early in the case.

Also, Goodell wrote in his letter to Vick that he advised the Atlanta Falcons “to assert any claims or remedies available to them under the Collective Bargaining Agreement or your NFL player contract,"

In 2005, Michael Vick signed a 10-year, 130 million-dollar contract with the Atlanta Falcons. Falcons owner Arthur Blank, issued a statement on Friday, in which he expressed his support for Goodell’s decision.

"Today, Michael Vick admitted his guilt to very serious charges related to his earlier indictment," Blan’s statement said. "His admissions describe actions that are incomprehensible and unacceptable for a member of the National Football League and the Atlanta Falcons.”

"We respect and support the Commissioner's decision today to place Michael Vick on an indefinite suspension.”

According to ESPN, Vick is to formally plea in a federal court in Virginia on Monday, but his sentencing will not take place for several months.

Vick admitted to financially supporting dogfights, but he denied having ever gambled on their outcomes or received any winnings.

After Michael Vick signed the plea his defense team issued a statement, saying that the NFL player is taking full responsibility for his actions.

"While Mr. Vick is not personally charged with or responsible for committing all of the acts alleged in the indictment, as with any conspiracy charge, he is taking full responsibility for his actions and the actions of the others involved," the defense team said in a written statement.

"Mr. Vick apologizes for his poor judgment in associating himself with those involved in dogfighting and realizes he should never have been involved in this conduct," the statement added.

As part of the agreement, federal prosecutors recommended that the judge sentence Vick to a minimal prison time ranging from 12 to 18 months. The maximum would have been five years.