ATLANTA -- The head of the Atlanta chapter of the NAACP said Wednesday Michael Vick is not guilty of dogfighting charges.

Dr. R.L. White of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People said at a news conference that he believes someone was out to get Vick.

Lawyers for the Falcons quarterback said Monday that Vick will plead guilty to the dogfighting charges next Monday.

White questioned the motives of the three co-defendants who accepted plea deals and presumably would have testified against Vick.

He added that his organization condemns dogfighting, but added that he didn't understand the uproar over dogfighting when hunting deer and others animals is legal.

When asked who would have set up Vick, White responded, "His demeanor and I've heard for years that his image with the do-rag on and not being that particularly articulate rub some people wrong."

White added that he believes Vick is only taking the plea deal because it's his best option.

"In some instances, I believe Michael Vick has received more negative press than if he would've killed a human being," White said. "The way he is being persecuted, he wouldn't have been persecuted that much had he killed somebody."

The NAACP is asking the National Football League allow Vick to return to the playing field after he serves his prison time.