This artist's rendering shows Michael Vick, dressed in a black-and-white striped prison suit, flanked by attorneys Billy Martin, left, and Lawrence Woodward as he is sentenced in Federal Court on Monday in Richmond, Va.

Richmond, Va. ? A federal judge sentenced Michael Vick on Monday morning to 23 months in prison, delivering the climactic punishment in a dogfighting case that infuriated animal rights supporters and angered others who felt the suspended NFL star was treated too harshly for his crime.

Vick, 27, received his sentence from U.S. District Judge Henry E. Hudson, who 10 days ago sentenced two of Vick’s co-defendants to prison terms of 18 months and 21 months for their roles in the conspiracy.

Vick, who turned himself in three weeks ago, entered the courtroom Monday wearing a white and black striped jail jumpsuit.

Hudson refused to give Vick credit for accepting responsibility in the case; he ruled Vick wasn’t fully honest in his confessions to the government. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Gill said: “He chose not to come forward and be completely forthright with us.”

Vick’s attorneys asked for leniency, saying that he grew up in a tough area of Newport News, Va., that he struggled with depression and was self-medicating with marijuana.

Hudson said he received thousands of letters on the case. Many were in support of Vick, including the mayor of Atlanta, baseball legend Hank Aaron and boxing legend George Foreman.

Hudson said he recognized the “monumental collateral consequences” the case has had on Vick’s career. Hudson commended Vick for donating to humane society programs, but said he still did not accept full responsibility.