On Sunday, the revelation from Falcons owner Arthur Blank that quarterback Mike Vick is playing football in Leavenworth prison captured the imagination of any sports fan who ever saw either of the Longest Yard movies.

But the truth is that Vick hasn’t played organized football within the walls of the facility for organized living in which he’s been residing.  The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that Vick arrived too late to suit up for the official inmate football season.

We’re not surprised.  Though it was funny to think of Vick aiming a pass for the crotch of the Walking Boss (and, of course, missing the target), we never thought that Vick was actually putting on pads.  The revelation that he has played “all-time quarterback” is a clear sign that this is sandlot stuff, with Vick one-hopping passes to guys that he can then blame for not catching them. 

And even if Vick is still a guest of the federal government come September, he won’t be slipping shoulder pads over his orange jumpsuit.  At Leavenworth, they only play flag football.

That’s actually a good thing.  If Vick were to get injured playing full-contact tackle football, his ability to continue his career as a twelve-cents-an-hour pot-washer could be in jeopardy.