Michael Vick Speaks at DC Church

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The road to redemption for Michael Vick took him to Covenant Baptist Church in D.C. The Eagles quarterback got a standing ovation as he started to deliver his anti-dogfighting message.

"It's a horrible thing and I wish I would have never did it, but I can't take back the hands of time," said Vick.

Vick talked about growing up in the dogfighting culture in Virginia. He said even during his rise to stardom in the NFL, he continued dogfighting.

"I would fly home every week every week to go home and fight dogs--for what reason I don't know to this day. Something so pointless. I should have been spending my time being the best player I could be," Vick recalls.

He admits he never thought he would get caught. But eventually he did. Vick ended up behind bars for 2 years.

"I think he is offering a cautionary tale to kids—don't do what I did-- and telling them animals matter. That he wasn't thinking about them and he made some terrible mistakes," says Wayne Pacelle, president of the Humane Society, who joined Vick on stage.

Jocelyn Bowden brought her sons, 10-year-old Jaesyn and 15-year-old Javaughn, to get the message. They own a rottweiler.

"I thought he sent a good message. I thought it was good for the boys, good for the grown-ups. To show that you are reformed," says Jocelyn.

"I think now that he has felt how it feels to be in jail after dogfighting, he is going to be a better person," says her son Jaesyn.

Now as a spokesperson for the Humane Society, Vick hopes people, especially young people, listen to the anti-dogfighting message and learn from his mistakes.

"It don't matter who it comes from me or the average person on the corner, it's all about getting the message out there I think," said Vick.

 RAW VIDEO: MICHAEL VICK SPEAKS IN D.C.