Except for an occasional story, Michael Vick has been out of the public eye lately, as his huge stats for the federal prison football team don't get a lot of press.

But the former NFL star quarterback, who is eligible for early release July 20 after doing time for federal dogfighting charges, is eager to get back in the game.

That's according to his bankruptcy plan, which a judge is reviewing.

Vick has apparently reached a deal to be released by the Atlanta Falcons by paying them $6.5-7.5 million for a “contract-breach grievance,” and plans on repaying creditors by earning $10 million a year going forward, court papers claim.

If he’s permitted back into the NFL, that is. Michael Vick was suspended indefinitely back in 2007 after his guilty pleas. Will he be eligible to play in 2009?

His attorney said he, “has every reason to believe upon his release, he will be reinstated into the NFL, resume his career and earn a substantial living.”

NFL Commissioner Roger Goddell acknowledged Vick has paid a price, but said “to a large extent he’s going to have to demonstrate to the larger community - not just to the NFL and to me - that he has remorse for what he did.”

His bull$h!t ghostwritten memoir should help with that.

In the spirit of April Fools Day, click to enlarge some classic Michael Vick pics - both real and altered - and laugh heartily at this giant fool in action: