NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has cleared former superstar quarterback Michael Vick for a conditional return to the NFL.

The conditions of his reinstatement are as follows;

• May practice now and play in final two preseason games
• Tony Dungy is to serve as mentor (Dungy will help in selection of additional mentors)
• The commissioner will decide on full reinstatement for the regular season by week 6

This time table puts Vick back in regular season play as early as around mid to late October.

Vick was sentenced to serve a 23 month federal prison term in December 2007 for bankrolling an illegal dog fighting operation on his property in Va.

Drafted first overall by the Atlanta Falcons in 2001, Vick was once the highest-paid player in the league before it all came crashing down.

After losing his NFL and endorsement income, Vick filed for Chapter 11 in July 2008, with liabilities of $20.5 million and assets of $16 million. His bankruptcy case is still pending.

Vick expressed his gratitude in a statement.

“I would like to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation to commissioner Goodell for allowing me to be readmitted to the National Football League. I fully understand that playing football in the NFL is a privilege, not a right, and I am truly thankful for the opportunity I have been given.

“As you can imagine, the last two years have given me time to revaluate my life, mature as an individual and fully understand the terrible mistakes I have made in the past and what type of life I must lead moving forward.”

Vick had quite the week leading up to his reinstatement today, starting when an electronic monitor was removed from his ankle the morning of July 20 at his home in Hampton, Va.

In the last 7 days, Vick had meetings with both NFLPA executive director, DeMaurice Smith and commissioner Goodell.

The real question for Michael Vick now is, will any teams have him?

Only time will tell but I bet his agents phone is already ringing.