Vick points finger at self

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. - Michael Vick's frustrations with fading playoff hopes and unexpected insults from home fans caused him to flash an obscene hand gesture Sunday.

Vick, who apologized in a written statement late Sunday for making the gesture toward fans with both hands after the crushing 31-13 loss to New Orleans, vowed Monday to never make the same mistake.

"I would have never thought that six years into my career I would ever do something like that," Vick said.

"It will never happen again. Never."

Vick rushed for 166 yards in the loss, only seven yards shy of his NFL record for a game by a quarterback. But his efforts couldn't make up for an otherwise dismal performance that included at least five dropped passes by receivers and breakdowns in the secondary and on the offensive line.

The Falcons (5-6) heard loud boos after their fourth straight loss. Vick said that as he walked off the Georgia Dome field he heard an especially disturbing insult from a male fan.

"He just said certain things I won't say in front of this camera," Vick said at a news conference. "It was very inappropriate. I was down, upset, frustrated. I just did one thing I've never done through all the games I've ever lost, no matter how frustrated I've been after a game. I don't know where it came from, but the people who know me know that's not me and that's not my character."

Vick again apologized.

"I'm sorry and I apologize to all the young kids and to whoever saw me make that gesture," he said. "I just let my emotions get the best of me in that situation, and it won't happen again."

Falcons coach Jim Mora said the incident was isolated.

"Mike offered a very sincere apology, and that's all I can say about it," Mora said. "He obviously felt bad about it. He came forward right away and issued an apology, and I'll let it stand at that.

"To me that's out of character for Mike, what he did. The Mike Vick I know, he appreciates the fans. It was more of just real frustration. I know he's contrite. His apology stated that."

Mora said Vick's action was not a sign of other problems on the slumping team.

"The things you typically see when there is frustration is backstabbing and backbiting and finger-pointing, and we're not seeing that," Mora said.

The Falcons have fallen from first to third in the NFC South and now face road games at Washington and Tampa Bay. One season after the team finished 8-8 following a 6-2 start, the Falcons are fading again after a 5-2 start.

No matter the frustrations of another loss, Vick said he realizes he can't lose control.

"This is the fish bowl we're in," he said.