Mr. Goodell, Please Don’t Ban Michael Vick From Football For Dog Fighting
OPINION: You read that right. I don’t want to see Michael Vick banned from football. Why? There’s a cancer thriving among the dark alleys of America, and Vick can help us bring it down. Let me tell you how.
I’m pissed. I’m outraged and I am full of vengeance. But I also want the greatest good to be done — that is the end of dog fighting. Michael Vick is facing two possible choices on his dog fighting charges: 1) Get banned for life from the NFL and go to court to fight the charges, or 2) take the plea bargain deal and cooperate with the government in the hopes that he can return to the NFL and play for millions.
If Vick is banned from football by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, he is likely to go to court to “clear his name.” That means he will not name names and help the government bring down the real problem — organized criminal dog fighting. Vick may be a big fish on the football field, but he was just another stupid gambling idiot when it came to dog fighting. The real engine that powers dog fighting are the gangs that finance, organize and encourage the illegal gambling.
It’s a tough choice, and I really have no desire to see Vick play in the NFL again. I have no desire to see him cheered on by fans. I have no desire to see him get his millions. But I know what I want more than revenge. I never want to see another dog forced to fight for someone’s sick pleasure.
If Vick thinks that plea bargaining can help him stay rich, then he will help the prosecutors nail down the organized criminals that run these gambling operations. If he takes the deal, he’ll still do time. He’ll still be suspended. He’ll hopefully be a wash up has-been after all that. He’ll also hopefully bring down other NFL players and they can all be examples.
What I really want doesn’t seem to be an option. I wish Vick would be banned and that he would also help bring down other dog fighters. But this is the bottom line: If I had a choice between Vick playing football again versus a crippling blow to dog fighters, I know what I’d take.
August 16th, 2007 at 6:34 am
He might not get banned for the dog fighting, but he is going to be in a world of hurt from the gambling aspect of his criminal behavior. He doesn’t need the threat of a ban to make him talk, he will name names to stay out of a long term prison sentence. Playing in the NFL is no longer a possibility even if he does plea bargain out. Can you imagine the effect his presence would have on a field or team?
He’d get booed every single time he stepped out on there and some defensive linesman would clean his nasty clock as soon as he could.
August 16th, 2007 at 8:25 am
I have been so incensed about the dog fighting that I really didn’t step back and look at this perspective. I want vengence for all the dogs who suffer and die at the hands of dogfighters. However, I, too would rather have MV play ball (and take his hits and the booing if it happens)if it prevents another dog from being forced to fight, suffer and die.
Thanks for the thoughtful perspective. In many ways it makes a lot of sense . . .
August 16th, 2007 at 11:17 am
Ben, I’m grateful for your outrage over Michael Vick and his dogfighting charges, and I appreciate the amount of space Itchmo.com devotes to this case and to dogfighting, “pit bulls,” and the daily cruelties and injustices heaped upon these dog breeds.
That said, in this sad and Constitution-trampling age of warrantless wiretaps, internet data-mining, cell phones and text messaging, I suspect that Michael Vick’s dogfighting connections are already known to law enforcement authorities. The existence and identities of these criminals could likely already be confirmed through the testimony of Vick’s plea-dealing co-defendants, men allegedly responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Moonlight Drive property owned by Vick. Furthermore, there are thousands of dogs abused and fought on backroads and back alleys all over the country, by people who are too insignificant or too elusive to be of interest to — or cost-effective targets of — local, state, or federal law enforcement.
Michael Vick doesn’t know every small-town, inner-city, redneck, or wannabe gansta/rapper dogfighter out there — but I’d bet many or most of them have heard of him. For this reason, I strongly believe the greatest good, as you put it, would be for the NFL and the judicial system to make the strongest anti-dogfighting statement possible with Michael Vick. Plea bargain or not, Vick is in serious trouble, and if he were to go to prison for 2 years, face hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines, and be forever banned from playing in/for NATIONAL Football League, I’ll bet it would get the attention of offenders everywhere.
Too many folks don’t think dogfighting is a big deal, but when they learn the legal and lifetime ramifications of being caught doing it, their opinions and behaviors might begin to change.
I say, “Please Mr. Goodell, ban Michael Vick from football for dogfighting, or for gambling on dogfighting, or for lying to you and Mr. Blank about his involvement in it. Pick your reason, Commissioner Goodell, but ban Michael Vick from the NFL for LIFE.”
August 16th, 2007 at 11:35 am
here here! (on the last comment to ban him forever)
August 16th, 2007 at 12:01 pm
I second the motion the ban him(Vick) forever.
what was done to those dogs will never be forgotten.
Vick has become another OJ in the making…a pariah.
August 16th, 2007 at 12:43 pm
Not only ban him from any organized sports in any form, MC, promotions, etc., volunteer work teaching youngsters, YMCA, any and everything, but also put his fanny in jail and let him stew there for a few thankless long years - maybe even put a tatoo on his forehead - labeling him for all his life as a worthless piece of crapola.
August 16th, 2007 at 1:58 pm
Ban him forever! The only good thing about scum is they’ll always sell out their friends to save their own skin. Vick will name names for whatever deal the prosecutor offers. Heck, he’d do it just to get a better cell. If he gets away with dictating terms to the NFL, what kind of message does that send to the other low-life dogfighters? Any names he gives will just pull their own version of the stunt. Unless people see that even rich, public figures will lose EVERYTHING for abusing animals, they’ll never take the dogfighting tragedy seriously–and that goes for ordinary, law-abiding people as well as the criminal dogfighters. Vick’s “alleged” crimes are too violent, cruel, depraved, and abhorrent to ever allow him on a team, or in any high-paid public position, again. Let the trial play out… he’ll tell more when it sinks into his peabrain that he can’t manipulate the justice system than he’ll ever tell when he’s calling the shots. He’s a coward–his dogfighting proves that. So make him sweat. The NFL should stand firm, and not give in to his pathetic terms. Ban him for life!!
August 16th, 2007 at 2:08 pm
Boy do I agree with Pit Bull Lover. Imo I believe Vic will plea but only because he is caught & doesn’t want any more charges. I don’t believe he will turn in any big fish, maybe someone small that he doesn’t like but nobody big. They (dog fighters, drug dealers, murders & etc.) live with a different code of justice & I believe Vic still loves his life more than his money. I believe the NFL will ban him because they have had too many people get caught doing things in the last few years & they know people are getting mad. It’s sad to say but I think that is the only reason they will ban him. I also think they don’t want other players to be outed for dog fighting because of money.
Ben I pray you are right & I am wrong because we all want dog fighting stopped forever.
August 16th, 2007 at 2:38 pm
Look at CNN’s picture of him - standing tall with a “don’t give a damn” attitude. Showing no remorse.
I am all for the “greater good.” And this, to me, means setting an example and putting this man away for life. No plea bargains. No reduced sentences. Who CARES if he never plays football again. Not I.
Itchmo, this baloney about letting him off for supplying names, etc. Really now. You think the government doesn’t have the info already? I think this plea bargaining bull is just a sneaky way of letting the football associations off the hook.
Let him rot in hell.
August 16th, 2007 at 2:58 pm
I agree with you all 100%. He needs to be banned from football and he needs to serve prison time. It seems that it has been hinted at…organized crime could be involved or the large gangs - for his own safety I don’t think Vick would ever give up those names. He would have to go into the witness protection program and disappear. Don’t see that happening.
This seems to be a rampant disease in the NFL. Players concerned because they went to watch but not bet..feel now maybe they could be included. NFL and NBA. It’s time that both organizations clean up their act, follow a moral code and stick to it. If a player or players are guilty, fire them. But, than it’s all about money and winning. I hope the fans finally speak up with their money, and stay home - find a new interest.
Katie
August 16th, 2007 at 3:11 pm
I wish the sports leagues would get a grip. I’ll bet somewhere out there, there are a dozen guys who love the sport and are better than Vick AND have a much, much cleaner image. They’ll play their hearts out, if given a chance.
Vick is not the ONLY one who can play well.
So Falcons, I’m daring you to rise to the occasion. Find these guys. Then keep him on the straight and narrow.
And dog food companies…….if you’re smart…….you’ll hook up with this new player, have him do a great “man loves dog” commercial [Pit Bull would be a good idea], and watch the sales soar. But you’ve got to watch this new player like a hawk. No indecent or unethical or illegal practices.
And while I’m at it: Prosecutors and Judges: Have the b***s to make an example of Vick. Throw the book at him. Forget plea bargains. [I HOPE the Judge is a woman who hates football!]
I dare you all.
August 16th, 2007 at 3:48 pm
I did not know who this piece of work Vick was until he burst full grown into a real good argument for public stoning onto every news channel I see.
I was tired of his act the first time he appeared and things have not improved. He could play football, to the death, naked -and I still would not want to hear about him. Or buy overpriced hero worship cult items to prove my devotion to whatever the fark it is this subhuman is supposed to be able to do.
I want to hear about the REAL HEROES who tracked his nasty ass down!! I want to see news about the crack team that got the goods on Vick and nailed his sorry hide- those folks interest me a lot- we NEED them!
I want to know what I can do to help those REAL heroes!
Vick can make his own excuses and deals and the lawyers sucked onto him like a tick, fattening visibly?, being that close to Vick and taking money for it? not worth it. makes you smell…ripe.
August 16th, 2007 at 4:24 pm
Maybe he can do a TV spot on how he no longer supports dogfighting, from prison. Cutting this guy loose to make millions from the NFL is a message to everyone that you can beat the system.
August 16th, 2007 at 4:25 pm
OKAY, I’m convinced that allowing MV to plea bargain to catch “bigger fish” is nothing more than a cop show plot on TV. It just isn’t going to happen. I’m back to throw his sorry $## in prison and keep him out of professional sports for the rest of his life. Considered the other perspective, but after thinking about it and readiing your comments, I’m going to change my mind. Disregard first post of mine ~ for just a second or two I had a brain freeze and hoped that maybe this guy would actually do the right thing. Dumb ME!
August 16th, 2007 at 4:52 pm
I’m not sure how much would be accomplished by getting him to “name names”. I suspect he would only name small time fish. The big players behind dog fighting would have him snuffed whether he were in jail or not if he were to rat them out.
August 16th, 2007 at 5:20 pm
IF YOU DO THE CRIME, YOU DO THE TIME! NO MATTER WHO TOU ARE.
August 16th, 2007 at 5:25 pm
i can’t figure out how he could plea and then get his career back. any guilty plea would link him directly or indirectly to gambling.
“Under NFL policy, a player can be banned for life for illegal gambling or associating with gamblers, and Vick might face that penalty.”
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/.....id=2977272
now while it says can be banned, not must, i think Goodell isn’t too keen on having Vick back. If Vick pleas, he’s basically admitting to being involved in gambling his entire NFL career. that very well may be his ticket out of the league even before a trial or sentencing. tomorrow at 9AM, if he hasn’t agreed to a plea, it could get pretty freakin’ ugly when more info comes out. i’d like to see him out for life, and the NFL step up to the plate in making dog fighting/fighters zero tolerance and throw any others out also. i think the NFL has way more power than Vick in stopping this within the sport. Vick was the man behind his kennel, imo, and if he coughs up any names for lesser time, they will be other kennels perhaps, but i doubt he would roll on other players. that wouldn’t benefit him in the long run, i don’t think, and it is all about him in his mind. he needs to get his “good name” back down the road, and ratting out other players who think this is ok ain’t gonna cut it. he’ll need some of “his boys” in the future since his current ones may still be serving time. . .
August 16th, 2007 at 6:27 pm
This comment is just an aside, a little off-topic, to share some things I’ve noticed while scanning the news stories posted about Michael Vick.
Background: Vick and his attorneys have hired two (2) public relations firms to help with the negative impact of the news coming out about him and his case. One firm is in Atlanta (Spencer and Associates) and the other is in L.A. (Sitrick and Company, which specializes in crisis-control for corporations, corporate criminals, celebrities, etc.). Collins Spencer III, spokesman for Vick’s legal team, former CNN and FOX anchor, and head of the Atlanta-based Spencer and Associates, is one of the few *named* individuals making recent statements to the press about Vick’s alleged plea agreement.
1. Are these PR firms working in concert with the attorneys to push the idea that Vick will only be sentenced to a year in prison if he accepts a plea agreement? What if the REAL truth is that the federal prosecutors and Judge Henry “Hang ‘em High” Hudson aren’t offering Vick a plea with scant jail time, but that his lawyers are desperately negotiating one and are feeding these erroneous stories to the media?
2. Federal investigators were rumored to have interviewed an incarcerated dogfighter in South Carolina — possibly David Ray Tant, who is serving *40 years* in prison for his offenses — about his knowledge of Vick. Over the past few days, I’ve seen a TON of blogs and news stories picking up on some crazy (literally) South Carolina inmate suing Vick for billions…and I can’t help but wonder if this “weird news” story is somehow being pushed by Vick’s PR team to create confusion between the two criminals in the event that Tant’s (or other incarcerated dogfighter’s) affidavit is made public.
I know my ramblings may seem far-fetched, but 5 attorneys and 2 public relations firms can create a lot of media mischief on behalf of their multi-millionaire client. I’m just saying that it’s possible that elements of news stories we’re all taking as fact could, in fact, be partially manipulated by parties working on behalf of Ookie the Dogfighter.
August 16th, 2007 at 6:31 pm
Please go vote on cnn, Lou Dobbs. It is about is you gov. doing enough about inports to protect you
August 16th, 2007 at 6:47 pm
doesn’t sound far fetched to me PBL. I’ve seen that the judge/prosecution won’t deal with Vicks team on the prison time and that it would be *extraordinary* if they did so in advance of the plea. I’ve also read 12-18mos is generally the minimum for these charges. i’m sure the lawyers are spinning their fantasy deal out there. and Goodell has said he’s not talking to Vick, which is great. Vick want’s to know about his NFL future before he deals and he’s not getting that info and most likely not getting jail time info. that makes me VERY happy ;) Also read, if he decided to plea tomorrow, it would be on the docket by end of day . . .
hadn’t heard about the Tant angle, but it makes sense the Feds would talk to others in prison. dog fighting is like a league, so other *teams* and *players* would know each other. which means it also makes sense for the spin doctors to try and discredit any info.
i’m hoping Vick holds out on the plea. i want the indictment to get revised to the charges that carry the 20yr penalties . . .
August 16th, 2007 at 7:13 pm
The person who submitted this plea NOT to ban Michael Vick from
football forever obviously does not have an understanding of basic human
psychology. Michael Vick stands about as much of a chance at being
rehabilitated as does a RAPIST. Ask any psychologist about a person who
derives pleasure or who lacks any emotion with regard to causing any
living creature AGONY and SUFFERING and their response will certainly be
that at the very least, they are suffering from some degree of MENTAL
ILLNESS and are quite possibly INSANE !! It is common knowledge that
when a young child is engaging in the torture and death of helpless
animals, it is cause for a very serious RED FLAG to be raised. MICHAEL
VICK IS NO DIFFERENT!!
NO,NO,NO, Michael Vick WILL NOT be the one to teach other
DIRTBAGS like himself that dogfighting is wrong. In fact , even after this
matter is long forgotten, Michael Vick will CONTINUE to be involved in this
disgusting behavior. Why?? Because it is in his blood and in his brain—-
JUST LIKE THE RAPIST!!!
THIS PIECE OF HUMAN DEBRIS WILL NEVER BE REHABILITATED
BUT HIS PUNISHMENT WILL AT LEAST SLOW HIM DOWN FOR A WHILE.
Joseph C Edore Sr.
August 16th, 2007 at 7:20 pm
Pit Bull Lover it doesn’t sound far fetched to me either. Money buys a lot. I’m with you straybaby but I still think he will at least try to plea.
August 16th, 2007 at 8:00 pm
Joe! You are so right.
August 16th, 2007 at 8:35 pm
Amen, Joseph C. Edore, Sr.
And there you have it folks. As I mentioned in an earlier post, I’ve seen not one photo of a remorseful Vick. Why not? Because he’s incapable.
As Mr. Edore said, “Michael Vick stands about as much of a chance at being rehabilitated as does a RAPIST.” No, I don’t want Michael Vick free to walk.
And I might as well say it: Ben, you’re entitled to your opinion of course. But I really think you might want to rethink this.
ITCHMO ADMIN (BEN): Hey Lynn, here’s what I think. I don’t really care about Vick. He’s not going to prison for life no matter how outraged we are. He’ll still be a burden to society when he gets out. We can scream and shout, but I’m looking at the realistic probabilities. What I really want is an end to dog fighting. That means I want all those little wanna-be dog fighters to have no place to learn, no incentive to fight, no organized gangs to fund this barbaric “sport”.
I’m making an assumption that if Vick cooperates, he probably knows at lot more people in the dog fighting circle due to his fame and fortune. His peons can plead all they want, but the prosecutors ultimately want the professional dog fighters and organizers. Take them out and you put a serious hurt on the organization. That’s how you take down the underworld — you go after the top. I am going to trust the people prosecuting the case that they want to nail the real organizers.
You can have Vick’s head if you want, and maybe that’ll make you feel better. But even with Vick in prison, dog fighting will go on — unless you go after the problem. Maybe if Vick is behind bars, we solve the problem of NFL athletes participating in dog fights, but that’s not the crux of the problem. I could care less if Vick lives, dies, plays. He’s already dead to me and his career is over. We should be using him to fix the problem any way we can.
August 16th, 2007 at 9:06 pm
i think it would be insulting and false to see Vick show remorse at this point. maybe after serving 5 (or perhaps 20), the message would hold some weight, but doing it just so he could possibly play again, get less of a punishment etc, nope. just a big freakin’ insult. he’s been trying to decide to plea or not based on if he can play again, so remorse isn’t his top priority from where i sit.
August 16th, 2007 at 9:22 pm
hmmm, me thinks Vick may not be putting on a Falcons jersey if he gets to play again:
“Weird how this works out. Leveridge recently met with representatives of the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation. Blank happens to be the owner of the Falcons and has contributed to the Atlanta Humane Society for years. He has two old Labradors that he adores.
“He’s a true animal-welfare advocate,” says Leveridge. “For this to happen to him, I feel so bad for him.”
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn.....d=tab1pos2
August 16th, 2007 at 9:44 pm
Straybaby, that article is righteous! Recommended reading, IMO. Thanks for posting the link.
August 16th, 2007 at 11:09 pm
Not a chance would I make Vick work in any animal shelter. No way. That’s begging for trouble. Take it from a psychological perspective: this man would learn nothing. He is not capable of it. If anything, working off his time in a shelter would only make Vick resentful and angrier….and possibly take his frustrations out on the animal. There is no rehabilitating Vick, get it?
Make him write a $5M check to the AHS? Sure. He owes at least that much. But even that wouldn’t redeem him in my eyes.
BEN: BTW, I should add. I really enjoyed reading all your feedback - pro and con. I’m just glad to spur some discussion. :)
August 16th, 2007 at 11:09 pm
I agree with Pit Bull Lover.
Assuming Vick is guilty, he deserves to bear the full brunt of the law and sanctions by his employer.
But the Bob Stevens bust didn’t stop dogfighting. The Floyd Boudreaux bust didn’t stop dogfighting.
You can only stop the people you catch, prosecute and convict.
And use the case to highlight the horrors of dogfighting and the need to protect the victim dogs. Sadly, many people like HSUS advocate for KILLING the victims, even the puppies even dogs that might have been tortured for refusing to fight.
Michael Vick doesn’t deserve a second chance, but his dogs surely do
August 17th, 2007 at 12:56 am
Vick is a parasite , he feeds on blood. Throw him in a pit with lions. Justice is served. One less dog fighter.
August 17th, 2007 at 2:09 am
He can continue to play….. IF 90% fo his earnings are given to 501c3 organizations that directly care for animals. Those who deal with Bully breeds receiving the largest percentage.
Of course a sticker on his helmet stating “i’m a waste of oxygen” would just be a bonus.
August 17th, 2007 at 3:43 am
Pit Bull Lover stated the facts perfectly!
Also, I believe that all of the other animal fighters that are exposed as a result of the investigation should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. They can start with investigations of people that purchased dogs from Bad Newz Kennels. You know they weren’t buying the dogs for any honorable reasons. Plenty of animal fighters will be exposed through this one resource alone.
August 17th, 2007 at 1:06 pm
Straybaby:
Vick will never show remorse. Ever. The man isn’t wired that way. At least not for the animals. He may show remorse for the lost income and prestige, but never the animals.
August 17th, 2007 at 1:26 pm
Ben,
I understand where you are coming from, but I agree more with Pit Bull Lover. And had to bring up one other point:
You said this “The real engine that powers dog fighting are the gangs that finance, organize and encourage the illegal gambling.” THAT WAS/IS Michael Vick!! He had the money, he had the power, he owned the land. He IS the boss of VA dogfighting in that area.
August 17th, 2007 at 1:46 pm
Karen:
You wrote, “He can continue to play….. IF 90% fo his earnings are given to 501c3 organizations that directly care for animals.”
Karen, even 10% of his earnings are way, way, way more than the above average person makes. So where’s the justification?
August 17th, 2007 at 2:29 pm
Ben:
Our friendly debate comes down to this question: What actions would effect the “greater good†for the animals?
• Prosecuting Vick
• Offering a reduced sentence to Vick in exchange for gaining supplementary evidence against others
The answer, to me, is contingent upon whether or not you [1] believe the federal Prosecutor, Michael Gill, is really after those involved with dog-fighting or [2] whether the REAL agenda is about pro-ball betting [on dogs and other gaming].
My gut feeling is that it’s [2]. Dog-fighting is just one part.
I do believe that Vick may well have additional names and documentation, and not limited to dog-fighting. Gambling of any kind is rampant in pro-ball. I daresay that a fair chunk of the betting goes to support the kennels and the fights and buying the dogs. I also have a strong hunch that there are a lot more pro-ballers who are more directly involved in the ownership of the dog-fighting business.
But to many, it’s not about whether it’s a dog or a soccer ball. It’s about odds. It’s about adrenalin rushes. Addiction. If you remove Vick from the foray, those in the pro-ball world will find something else to wager on. [And as long as it doesn’t involve an animal, I’m not overwhelmingly concerned what they bet on.]
Odds are excellent that the Prosecutor already knows most all the names of the people involved, learned from those that plea-bargained and from long hours of detective work. And even if Vick does have additional information, divulging it will be to his detriment since the people he would “out” would likely do him more harm than if he were to plead guilty and go to prison.
Are his pro-ball days over? Well, maybe for a little while. I guess that comes down to the actual terms of his contract. Could be the Falcons may decide it’s financially beneficial for them to use him after he’s out of jail and the public furor has died down. Or it could be the NFL will be “generous†and allow a “reformed†[Hah!] Vick to return after a year-long prison term if Vick keeps his mouth shut about others in the NFL who were involved. Who knows?
If my theory’s right, and this is more about trying to put a stop to all illegal gambling, I’m betting Vick is not going to plea-bargain.
So that brings us back to the “greater good†for the animals. I say DON’T let Vick plea bargain. Remove Vick and his known co-horts from the equation. Let the betting addicts find other ways to fuel their addiction that do not include the dogs. Then you will at least have an opportunity to remove the animals from harm.
Thanks, Ben, for allowing me to express my opinion.
BEN: Lynn, Well articulated counterpoint. Thank you.
August 17th, 2007 at 10:38 pm
Lynn,
Someone has to pay taxes on his salary! Let it be him.
karen
August 17th, 2007 at 10:47 pm
Karen, my point is that one of the ways to crack down on dogfighting is to remove Vick from the NFL where he probably has his hands into all kinds of gambling. Leaving him unincarcerated only provides more opportunity for him to kill more dogs, directly or indirectly.
If we start subscribing to the mentality that it’s ok to let Vick off and make him pay $90M to a humane society, yes, we’re helping out other animals…..but at the expense of saying it’s ok to let the Pit Bull suffer for it. This isn’t right.
August 18th, 2007 at 9:53 am
Whoever wrote this article sure hasn’t followed the case. Vick wasn’t just accused of gambling on dog fights he tortured and executed innocent dogs. Vick WAS the main funder of the fights. He traveled across state lines with his dogs to participate in dog fighting. He owned a dog kennel that raised and sold dogs to be fought. He’s not a small fish, this is a big hit to dog fighting. Why is the NFL protecting him? Pacman Jones was suspended and he didn’t have any federal indictments against him. I want to see Vick fired and stricken from the NFL all together.
August 18th, 2007 at 12:32 pm
Why is the NFL protecting Vick? Probably because it’s too costly NOT to.
One of the things Vick has inadvertently shed light on is exactly how inept and gutless the football teams, leagues, and the universities who have pro-ball, really are. To them it’s all about winning [=$$$]. Human values are totally denigrated. And worse, the spectator population buys into this crap.
I think there ought to be a moratorium on all professional sports for a year. Let them all get ethics and anger management training, get rid of any player with any kind of police record, make them do community service without pay. Rewrite rules and contracts such that there’s no more “suspension”; one infraction and you’re toast…in other words, make sportsmanship what it used to be.
I know….I must be dreaming.
August 18th, 2007 at 7:55 pm
For you who has not sinned cast the Ist stone. Let pray about it and forgive.
August 18th, 2007 at 10:48 pm
Pray about it and forgive? Not me.
There are a lot of things one can forgive, but when it comes to harming defenseless animals or children or women or men, not a chance.
You go ahead and pray and forgive, coolhendo, but I’d much rather dream sweet dreams of the SOB behind bars.
August 19th, 2007 at 1:28 pm
coolhendo arn’t you leaving part of that forgive out? What about sin no more & being heartfully sorry? I will TRY to forgive when he gives at least 10 years of his money to animals instead of high priced lawyers, When & only when he serves lots of time in jail and turns in EVERYBODY he knows that are in any way involed in dogfighting & stealing & getting animals for bait. Then after all that he works for free to help all animals for a few years I will try to forgive, until then I am praying God will do everything in his power to make shure he & all his friends get on this earth and forever what he so rightly deserves.
August 20th, 2007 at 5:55 pm
If the NFL lets him play before he’s 70, I will never, ever watch or go to an NFL game again. I will only bad mouth them as being a bunch of stupid brutal animals.
I bet he buys a mansion in Argentina so he can continue participating in the torture and killing he so loves. Just like a pedophile, people that love blood and pain can’t quit.
I only hope the state comes through with the 5 year per animal sentence they are allowed so that he is he is in prison at least till he’s 70.
The forgive and forget mentality will NOT work for me. Just like I will never forgive John Gacey, Adolf Hitler, Pol Pot, Green river killer etc. People who do acts like this, premeditated, continuously, and thoroughly
enjoying it cannot, and should not be forgivin. They will do it again if they can…
August 20th, 2007 at 7:39 pm
Ban him from football? NO!
This guy needs to be in a cage (on the 50 at half time) with 20 hungry pit bulls or better yet how about a gasoline bath and light his ass up on live t.v.
I would tune in to Monday Night Football for that!
Vick is more dangerous than a rabid animal because he knows wrong from right but still has no concience and no sense to protect things weaker than himself. You have to wonder what other terrible evil this S.H.P.O.S. has done.
Lynn you are right! Letting this guy work in an Animal Shelter is like letting a Pedophile baby sit the kids!
As for coolhendo… You are an Idiot!
August 22nd, 2007 at 12:12 am
THE NFL SHOULD BAN VICK FOR LIFE!
He facilitated dog fighting, financed the gambling and particpated in the hanging and execution of dogs for entertainment.
He is a psychopath.
He pleaded guilty because he is guilty.
He lied to Arthur Blank and Comm. Goodell throughout the investigation.
He is not the role model that we want our children emulating.
Playing for the NFL is a priviliege which Vick is no longer entitled to.
IF THE NFL DOES NOT BAN VICK THEN EVERY PERSON WHO BELIEVES IN JUSTICE MUST BOYCOTT THE COMPANIES THAT SUPPORT THE NFL - DO NOT BUY THEIR PRODUCTS, BOMBARD THEIR CUSTOME SERVICE AND CORPORATE OFFICERS WITH EMAILS AND DO NOT BUY THEIR PRODUCTS!!!
August 22nd, 2007 at 5:15 pm
I DO NOT WANT TO SEE HIM ANYWHERE! HE NEEDS TO DO HIS TIME AND TRY TO GET A JOB LIKE OTHER FELONS OUT THERE. LET AMERICA AND PETA STEP UP AND PUT AN END TO DOG FIGHTING-NOT MICHAEL VICK.
August 23rd, 2007 at 8:26 am
NAACP don’t play this poor me scenario and try to gain sympathy for a murderer like Michael Vick. When are you going to act responsible for the wrong actions of your members! Any which way you slice it, Michael Vick is a pre-meditating, contemplating murderer. Human or Pet the sentence is Life in prison, Electric Chair, and/or Booted out from NFL. The NFL in the name of good sportsmanship, and acknowledging the importance of law and order, has correctly acted in Banning Michael Vick. This murderer should be re-tried for criminal charges in the Federal System for a term of Life in Prisonment.
August 23rd, 2007 at 9:06 am
Vick needs to be banned to send a message. He is an adult who needs to be held for his actions.
The NAACP and anyone else who supports this guy needs to get a reality check. Stop supporting the lowlifes of society just because they are ‘black’, ‘brothas’ or ’sistas’.
Why show yourself to be narrow minded?
The NFL takes a tougher stance on what? Nothing. They only care about their image. I think anyone who has a Vick jersey should burn it. Once he is sentenced, he will be released.
The problem is that this moron does not even get the results of his actions. He is so, arrogant like the rest of the atheletes who commit crimes that they all need a lesson.
This lesson should be that you lose your ‘bling bling’ if you commit crimes against HUMANITY.
VICK SHOULD BE BANNED FOR LIFE. ENOUGH SAID.
December 14th, 2007 at 10:37 pm
i see we have a some christian here.