NAACP Asks NFL To Allow Vick To Play Again Despite Dog Fighting
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) president of the Atlanta chapter said Michael Vick should be allowed to return to the NFL, preferably the Atlanta Falcons, after serving time for his involvement in a dog fighting operation.
“As a society, we should aid in his rehabilitation and welcome a new Michael Vick back into the community without a permanent loss of his career in football,” said R.L. White, president of NAACP’s Atlanta chapter. “We further ask the NFL, Falcons, and the sponsors not to permanently ban Mr. Vick from his ability to bring hours of enjoyment to fans all over this country.”
White (pictured here) added that Vick made a mistake and he should be allowed to show the public that he has learned from his mistakes.
In July, NAACP leaders asked the public not to rush to judgment in Vick’s case. They said animal rights activists, radio shows, and news media were vilifying Vick, and that his team and corporate sponsors were punishing Vick prematurely.
White supports Vick’s decision to take a plea bargain, but he questioned the credibility of his three co-defendants. He said a guilty plea may be more about cutting losses than telling the truth.
“At this point, you’re not looking at guilt or innocence,” White said. “You’re thinking, ‘What I better do is cut my losses and take a plea.’ But if he saw this as the best thing to do at this point for his future, then I think he made the correct choice.”
He added that since Vick has accepted the plea deal, the facts of the case may never be known. He said Vick has received more negative press than if he had murdered a human.
White said he does not support dog fighting and considers it as bad as hunting.
“His crime is, it was a dog,” White said.
Source: Yahoo News
Photo: Associated Press
(Thanks Jen and Dave’s mom)
August 22nd, 2007 at 2:16 pm
he didn’t make a MISTAKE! He ran a freakin’ illegal operation since 2001 and tortured/killed dogs. THAT’S NOT A MISTAKE.
ARRRRGH!
August 22nd, 2007 at 2:27 pm
This is just another attempt to pull the race card. The rackateering or gambling aspect alone should bar him from playing professional football again. Not to mention the horrid torture and murder of animals for years that his “Hobby” contributed to. This was not a mistake. It was a life choice on what to do with his riches earned from professional football, not to mention all the drugs which you can be sure were involved in him and his friends “business, recreational and hobby choices.”
August 22nd, 2007 at 2:27 pm
Pete Rose “made a mistake” and was banned for life from baseball. His mistake was gambling. Dexter Manley “made a mistake” and failed drug tests and was banned for life from football. Neither man tortured living beings and both were banned for life. NAACP, maybe you need to open your eyes. What Vick did makes Rose and Manley look like kindergarten kids. AND THEY WERE BANNED FOR LIFE!
August 22nd, 2007 at 2:29 pm
These people remind me of the PFI lobbyists — please forgive us, it was just a mistake that we killed all those animals.
NAACP, put the truth ahead of your petty need to always enable criminals on the basis of color.
How shallow.
If you hadn’t noticed, dogs bleed just like human beings whether black or white.
August 22nd, 2007 at 2:43 pm
If the NAACP had any sense of morality and justice, they would call for the jailing of Vick themselves. They show their true colors beyond all doubt.
August 22nd, 2007 at 3:16 pm
Sadly the NAACP continues to hurt their own cause. Their credibility is basically zero
August 22nd, 2007 at 3:21 pm
All of these comments would make a terrific letter to the NAACP.
August 22nd, 2007 at 3:40 pm
The NFL should not let Vick play again,EVER.He has to pay for what he did and hope fully they will put him in jail for a long time.This was no “mistake” he very well knew that what he was doing was wrong,he just did not care.Hope the NFL have some sense of justice and won’t listen or sucumb to the NAACP pressure.Vick is not above the law no matter how famous he is or how much money he has.The guy has no morals or compassion.He tortured and killed defenseless dogs,so he must pay.If he wanted to gamble,he should have gone to the Casinos in Vegas,he has more than enogh money for that.He lied to the NFL and denied everything,did not follow the rules,so lets do what is right and realize that he has to be punished for what he has done to those poor dogs. No mercy for him,he did not have any.
August 22nd, 2007 at 3:46 pm
Now I’m in no way racist, but does anyone think that the NAACP would take such a stance if Vick were any other race? I think not. Didn’t they pull a similar stunt with OJ Simpson? It seems that in their eyes all “colored people”, as the orginization refers to them, are above reproach. I don’t get it.
August 22nd, 2007 at 3:49 pm
It seems odd that Michael Vick, who has admitted to breaking federal laws with acts of cruelty, is considered a “redeemable person” by NAACP, while Don Imus, whose nasty remark didn’t physically hurt anyone, was considered to be in need of being replaced as of the moment he made it.
Neither of these men were right–both apologized. But I can’t see why Michael Vick should be able to return to his job and Don Imus was to leave the WFAN airwaves forever.
I want to know how it is that the fellow whose mouth got him in trouble is considered to be either “non-redeemable’ or “less redeemable” than Michael Vick. Don Imus was far from right in what he said–but he committed no physical acts of cruelty with it.
August 22nd, 2007 at 3:55 pm
MV has not shown me that he is the least bit sorry or remorseful. I don’t buy that a new, improved MV will emerge at the end of whatever token sentence he gets. I agree that the NAACP is trying to make this a racial issue (it’s not) and is doing itself a real disservice in the process. Too bad we can’t overlook the color and look at the crime!
August 22nd, 2007 at 3:57 pm
Despite all the evidence that has been uncovered, his cohorts’ sworn statements, and Vick’s own guilty plea, there are still people on other comments boards this morning saying things like,” people shoot deer all the time, what’s the big deal?” Until these idiots are made to understand that dogfighting is not a sport, it is a felony under federal law and deer hunting is not, there will continue to be divisiveness. How terrific it would be if the NAACP would use their influence to help to spread the understanding that dogfighting is unnatural and uncivilized, rather than obfuscate by calling it a “mistake”.
The media has seemingly concentrated on the 8 or so dogs that were brutally tortured and killed for not being “good enough”. In addition to the other living unfortunates in Mike’s kennels, the thousands of other dogs across the country which are regularly drugged, put in fights against their will, mated in horrible conditions and chained and starved to make them “mean” are being lost in the reportage. So are the kittens and other animals used as “bait” so the fighting dogs can develop blood lust. In my view the 8 dogs have become exactly like the “16 pets” from the recall tragedy—-a way to minimize the horror. It makes me sick.
August 22nd, 2007 at 4:07 pm
Crop his tail, give him an ear job, have him fixed, tie him up in the back yard and turn the dogs loose.
August 22nd, 2007 at 4:50 pm
The moral high ground is a very hard place to stay, you have to be very careful not to slip and fall. Funny how the NAACP didn’t take this calm, reasoned and forgiving attitude during the Don Imus mess. I didn’t like the guy, I never listened to him, but he was hounded from his job– and the many good charitable works he did– with no compassion, there wasn’t even time allowed for the Rutgers womens’ team he had slandered and insulted to meet with him first, and see how they felt, what they said, before everyone was calling for his head. Out he went. I think the NAACP would do best to quiet down on this subject, let Vick serve his sentence, and a second one in VA. if needed, and then decide if he should play again, or if anyone even wants him to by then. By then, it might be a moot point. Forgiveness is fine- taking responsibility is another thing, and just as necessary. And wanton cruelty to living creatures is not condoned in any religion that I know of. Those who say give Vick a second chance- how much of a second chance did he give any of those under-perfoming dogs? The NAACP needs to back off on this one, really. Let time take its course for now.
August 22nd, 2007 at 5:32 pm
NEW YORK (AP) - New York Knicks guard Stephon Marbury defended Michael Vick, calling dogfighting a sport and comparing it to hunting.
http://www.breitbart.com/artic....._article=1
August 22nd, 2007 at 5:42 pm
I have seen no evidence that Michael Vick is a person worthy of compassion. I haven’t seen any listing of charitable works other than the charity in which he participated as a Falcons team member leading me to believe that his participation was rather along the lines of compulsory rather than voluntary.
There are places more fitting that he can find his redemption and rehabilitation than the NFL. As far my thinking, his involvement in felony crimes involving dogfighting, gambling and illegal drugs removes him as NFL material.
What has Michael Vick done to make the world better? Mr. NAACP from Atlanta hasn’t given one reason in support of his stance other than to call upon our charity. I have not seen one single thing in print or on the net that shows MV in a positive, giving-back-to-the-world light.
However, I can be magnanimous. I am happy to have MV rejoin society after he serves out what I hope is a sentence rather along the lines of the maximum rather than the minimum. Let him get a job and work as a wage slave like the rest of the world. He had a chance and he blew it.
I am sick and tired of high-paid athletes who feel they are entitled to live above or outside of the laws of the land. MV had all the world and a whole lotta money. He made the choice to involve himself in dogfighting and, even more despicable, to kill dogs with his bare hands. I need to see some proof that he is worthy of redemption beyond Mr. NAACP of Atlanta’s endorsement.
August 22nd, 2007 at 5:52 pm
One has to consider the source when it comes to the NAACP. This organization lacks accountability. For them to not be able to see the difference between a deer and a dog says it all. It is only because Vick is black that they come to his aid. Vick is a zombie. He’s already dead inside.
August 22nd, 2007 at 5:59 pm
Re the NAACP statements: I won’t dignify their pathetic statements by responding further, except to say that they seem to suffer from “foot in mouth disease.”
August 22nd, 2007 at 6:02 pm
The NAACP is a divisive, hate filled organization that definitely has zero credibility. The fact that they see nothing wrong with a man torturing 8 living creatures to death speaks volumes about their lack of integrity and hypocrisy. Most black people I know are disgusted with Vick. The NAACP is a racist organization that does not have the right to speak for all African Americans.
August 22nd, 2007 at 6:03 pm
Marbury’s an ass. since when do you just fall into a bad situation by funding a dog fighting kennel and supporting it for 6yrs? and we did NOT build up MV only to bring him down again. he did that all by himself.
sheesh, time to write the NBA and the Knicks. sounds like some of their players need some skoolin’.
August 22nd, 2007 at 6:11 pm
Also, in my opinion, hunting is an immoral “sport” as well. Killing a living creature for pleasure is a reflection of the vicious character of the hunter.
August 22nd, 2007 at 6:31 pm
I am not a fan of hunting but atleast when a person hunts if it is for FOOD and they shoot* to kill not shot to maim and torture and watch extended suffering there is a HUGE difference. To call it the same is DISGUSTING.
August 22nd, 2007 at 6:53 pm
I agree with you all, it just makes my blood boil every time I hear the name Michael Vick and the idiots who defend or minimize what he did. The color of his skin has absolutely nothing to do with it. I just can’t be magnanimous, I would like for him to hang by his b___ and whether he was white, red, or green I think that’s what he deserves.
A guy on the radio yesterday said something to the effect that when Vick goes to jail, his new position will be not as quarterback or running-back, but he’ll be Receiving — doggy style. Made me laugh, but even if he gets what’s coming to him it still doesn’t bring back the dogs or the bait-animals, or erase the pain they suffered.
August 22nd, 2007 at 6:54 pm
Made a mistake? Hmmm…for years this moral maggot has gotten his jollies out of wathcing animals tear one another apart….and violently killing those who would not fight.
THAT IS NOT A MISTAKE!! …it is a total lack of the most basic concepts that a decent human has.
August 22nd, 2007 at 7:25 pm
There is absolutely no way to defend Vick !! He is a piece of sick putrid rot and if anybody defends him they are rot too !!!!!
August 22nd, 2007 at 7:29 pm
Hunting is a grey area for me. I know many hunters kill only for food and are very conscientious about obeying the laws, take limits etc. However, some hunters just like killing things and putting heads on walls. It is a sport to some hunters.
What Vick did is not the same as hunting. Vick was vicious, cruel, and lacking the normal amount humanity that most people are born with. He has no conscience. He cruelly tortured animals until they died. He took pleasure in watching them suffer and die. Sociopaths do that. Hunters, even sport hunters, don’t do that. They don’t let the animals suffer.
August 22nd, 2007 at 8:08 pm
Vick is not sorry for being involved in dog fighting, he is sorry that he was caught. Sociopaths like him do not think that what they are doing is wrong. This type of person murders, rapes and tortures with no thought to the victim. It’s like they are not real. This bastard tortured and killed helpless animals in his care without a thought or concern. The only true justice is locking him up with animal loving inmates and allowing them to mete out justifiable punishment, without retribution. In other words, kick his ass every day for 5 yrs. Then, upon release, no contract with the NFL. He needs to work hard every day like everyone else does. He had talent and he wasted it. Stupid loser.
August 22nd, 2007 at 8:15 pm
menusux says:
It seems odd that Michael Vick, who has admitted to breaking federal laws with acts of cruelty, is considered a “redeemable person†by NAACP, while Don Imus, whose nasty remark didn’t physically hurt anyone, was considered to be in need of being replaced as of the moment he made it.
—–
ME: Terrific comparison.
—–
Neither of these men were right–both apologized. But I can’t see why Michael Vick should be able to return to his job and Don Imus was to leave the WFAN airwaves forever.
—–
ME: I think people forget that a high-profile job has high-profile responsibilities. Imus certainly has the right to earn a living in society, and Vick will have that right when he’s out of jail, but they have no automatic right to the high-status elite positions they formerly held. Saying that Vick should never play NFL football again is not the same as refusing to give a rehabilitated ex-con a job so he can be a productive member of society.
—–
I want to know how it is that the fellow whose mouth got him in trouble is considered to be either “non-redeemable’ or “less redeemable†than Michael Vick. Don Imus was far from right in what he said–but he committed no physical acts of cruelty with it.
—–
ME: And Imus did the whole round of embarrassing and empty mea culpas to try to salvage his job–while I haven’t seen anything about Vick apologizing for anything or showing a shred of remorse or even understanding.
If after he’s out of prison he somehow is truly changed and remorseful and really understands, maybe, just maybe that might be the time for the NAACP and others to talk about compassion for him. But most definitely not now.
August 22nd, 2007 at 8:26 pm
Bridgett, I’m a vegetarian and I most definitely do not approve of hunting. But I most definitely agree with you that there’s a huge difference between dogfighting and hunting for food or for sport. I could not believe that that NAACP guy equated the two.
Sociopath is a good description for Vick.
I have heard a number of commentators talking about Vick who say, in effect, that this guy is probably bewildered at how his world has crashed down around him–as though he is the victim and not the author of his own downfall, and we should all have empathy for him. Yeah, right.
August 22nd, 2007 at 9:26 pm
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sp.....ade35.html
San Antonio Express News August 21, 2007
“Dallas Cowboys coach Wade Phillips said Tuesday he doesn’t think Michael Vick is a “bad person” even though the disgraced Atlanta Falcons quarterback has admitted his involvement in a dogfighting ring, a crime Phillips called “atrocious.”
“”You just don’t know what people do off the field,” Phillips said. “He made an awful, awful mistake, and obviously he’s going to pay for it.
“”But I don’t think Mike Vick is a bad person. He made a bad life choice, certainly.”
“”He put himself in that situation,” Cowboys nose tackle Jason Ferguson said. “It’s kind of worse than he thought. I guess he was thinking it wasn’t that bad, and all of the sudden, everybody’s looking at him like, ‘You killed dogs.’
“”It’s a little harsh,” Ferguson said of the jail time Vick faces, “but at the same time, he deserves it for what he’s done. It’s a crime, no matter what.”
“Several players said they hope Vick gets a second chance in the NFL.
“”I don’t know him personally,” Ferguson said. “I just know he’s a brother to all of us in the league, so we root for him.”
John Gacy’s neighbors all thought he was a pretty nice guy too—until they found out what the horrible smell in his crawlspace really was.
August 22nd, 2007 at 9:30 pm
What would Mr. White have to say if it were say,…Troy Aikman?
NOTHING!
THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE NAACP! NOTHING!!!!!! THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE RACE OF VICK !!!!! WHY OPEN YOUR MOUTH ON THIS ISSUE MR. WHITE? KEEP OUT OF IT!
August 22nd, 2007 at 9:59 pm
Mr. White’s earlier statement:
In a news conference early this morning, Atlanta NAACP President R.L. White charged that the Atlanta Falcons star quarterback’s suspension and sponsor desertion amounted to premature punishment, adding that,
“If Mr. Vick is guilty, he should pay for his crime, but to treat him as he is being treated now is also a crime. Be restrained in your premature judgment until the legal process is completed.”
http://www.americanthinker.com.....ouble.html
Michael Vick pleaded GUILTY!
opps,…he made a mistake:
“As a society, we should aid in his rehabilitation and welcome a new Michael Vick back into the community without a permanent loss of his career in football,†said R.L. White, president of NAACP’s Atlanta chapter.
Which side is talking now?
August 22nd, 2007 at 10:01 pm
No surprise.
The “NAACP” is a racist organization by their very name.
August 22nd, 2007 at 10:51 pm
A lot of people have focused on the NAACP-Atlanta president’s calling what Vick did a “mistake,” but he made two other comments that boil my blood as well:
“As a society, we should aid in his rehabilitation and welcome a new Michael Vick back into the community without a permanent loss of his career in football.†— what about the permanent loss of LIFE for those dogs?
“His crime is, it was a dog.†— EXCUSE ME??? I don’t even have the words to respond to that.
August 22nd, 2007 at 11:13 pm
debra, i couldn’t get past the “mistake” to comment on those other 2 you mentioned. they just raised my blood pressure higher and would have caused me to make comments needing censoring.
how many people go to prison and are promised their career when they get out?! vick KNEW what he was doing was illegal for SIX YEARS. period, end of story. don’t talk to me about aiding him Mr NAACP. if he had half a brain, he wouldn’t have done it.hopefully for him, he has some money stashed seeing as he made much more than the average felon. he should be able to start over with out my support, TYVM.
i won’t even address the last comment. i can’t. the fact that Mr. NAACP is not only NOT bothered by the dog fighting, he seems equally un-bothered by the violent ways in which vick killed the dogs. WTF?!
i will say, as disgusted as i was/am with dog fighting, vick has taken it to a new violence for me. i never knew that was how the losing dogs were killed . . .
August 22nd, 2007 at 11:17 pm
Looks like it’s really true: You can take the punk out of the street… but you can’t take the street out of the punk. M. Vick should be wrapped in bacon and set upon by hungry dogs.
August 22nd, 2007 at 11:21 pm
I sent off my email to the nba. When are these overpaid jocks going to get a clue - people don’t fall into a bad deal - you make choices and when you make a bad one - you have to pay the piper - $$$$ and fame do not relieve you of your responsibilities to society.
August 22nd, 2007 at 11:41 pm
Mr NAACP doesn’t give a rats a** about the crime that was committed by MV. He only cares about the race issue (which has nothing to do with it) but believes that because of his race this crime should go unpunished. MR. NAACP has declared this a little mistake! Take him home with you, protect him and keep him safe from all the horrible publicity that is being brought up against the poor little guy. Just hope you dont have any dogs, cats, birds or kids.
August 22nd, 2007 at 11:56 pm
I’m just waiting for Jessie Jackson to announce he’s going to redeem his brother’s soul.
August 23rd, 2007 at 1:40 am
No surprise here. It’s just a shame that as per usual, the NAACP just can’t seem to do the right thing. This is the definition of a loser orginization, NAACP founders must be spinning in their graves.
August 23rd, 2007 at 8:06 am
NAACP don’t play this poor me scenerio 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 contemplating murdurer. 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 8:32 am
I’m hoping he goes to prison for twenty years on racketeering charges. Won’t he be too old to play football by then? guess the NAACP skipped math class.
August 23rd, 2007 at 9:55 am
Vick is only interested in the money he may not make if he does not return to NFL. Sorry &/or contrite - who are you kidding. I feel that it would be a reward and whatever civil penality he received would be no big deal. He would be laughing all the way to the bank. He obviously does not have respect for life. Why should our society support someone with millions of dollars that doesn’t respect life and thus us. These are the same people that research shows abuse children and probably wives. No way should we admire and put him into a celebrity financial status.
August 23rd, 2007 at 10:17 am
How disgusting. Besides pulling the race card once again, they are once again supporting criminals! The NAACP have no credibillity.
August 23rd, 2007 at 10:42 am
Debra, there was yet another line from Mr. White that boiled my blood: “We further ask the NFL, Falcons, and the sponsors not to permanently ban Mr. Vick FROM HIS ABILITY TO BRING HOURS OF ENJOYMENT TO FANS ALL OVER THIS COUNTRY.” [Emphasis added.]
Gee, Mr. White, are there any crimes that I should allow to interfere with my “right” to be entertained? Murder, rape, pedophilia, domestic violence? Anything serious enough in your book?
You know what? I’ll make the sacrifice. I’ll put the lives and welfare of living creatures–I’ll put common decency–above my possible enjoyment of a football game. I’ll give up watching a hotshot, overpaid, conscienceless brute of an athlete play a meaningless game.
August 23rd, 2007 at 12:48 pm
The NAACP are the ones that are racists. Michael Vick is a monster! He has been prison bait from the start and now he has earned a trip to the big house.
And while they are at it, they should throw a few members of the NAACP in with him.
NAACP, the American people are not STUPID, no matter what race they are!
August 23rd, 2007 at 2:32 pm
Vick is just a gansta. Not redeemable, unworthy of the NAACP’s “compassion.
Re hunting: Some may disagree,but a clean kill as when hunting is done the way it should, is a hell of a lot better than what the dogs went through. And the deer population doesn’t starve to death.Other animals, no. Why does anyone need a trophy elk?
August 23rd, 2007 at 3:33 pm
The national head of the NAACP, Dennis Hayes has distanced himself a bit from the comments of Atlanta chapter head White. See http://www.usatoday.com/sports.....sday_N.htm
Hayes says that Vick is not a victim, though he uses that same ridiculous term “mistake” in characterizing what Vick did. And he mostly tries to justify White’s remarks. saying they’re an outgrowth of frustration with inequalities in the legal system.
It’s marginally better than what White said, but it’s just as offensive to defend Vick based on the color of his skin as it would be to condemn him on that basis.
August 23rd, 2007 at 4:58 pm
There is no denying that as a nation we cherish our pets and are passionate about animal welfare. It is also evident that as a nation we place a high value on entertainment. We reward people for their ability to amuse us in acceptable ways. Gifted artists, athletes, authors, comedians, media personalities, musicians, etc. can become rich because of our country’s value system. But in America we also value the golden rule; we expect our millionaire celebrities to give back and have grown accustom to their generous funding of humanitarian causes. This is all the more apparent by the intense public outcry over Vick’s alleged sponsorship of such blatant inhumanity. RACE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH IT!!! I haven’t read anything about MV volunteering to give his time or his some of his millions to animal shelters or pit bull rescue organizations. I think he should be sentenced to volunteer 15 hours a week for 15 years in an animal shelter saving dogs. www.dogreporter.blogspot.com
August 23rd, 2007 at 5:38 pm
ACCKKK!!!!!!!
I am SO very done arguing with white people about this case. I know some racist white people who have used this Vick case as “evidence” that their bigoted opinions are true. But while I am arguing with them (on the grounds of individual responsibility, and the long history whites and others have of equally cruel behavior), the NAACP is trying to prove them right. I can’t fathom how this serves the advancement of colored people.
But no matter — I’m done. I will not raise my voice again when they start in. You — the NAACP — apparently agree with them that this is a “black thing” — so why should I waste my breath?
What I really want to know is where the NAACP gets its money. We need to go after its donors, and protest in front of its offices. It needs to be denied federal and state grant money — if it gets any — on the basis of supporting felonious behavior.
You cannot excuse this kind of behavior as an issue of racial solidarity. To do so is as repugnant as using it to “prove” criminal and cruel behavior is a “black” thing.
I think this upsets me more than anything else. I expect the big sports dudes to say these repugnant things in Vick’s defense, given their culture of macho power. But I do not expect it from an organization whose name used to command my respect.
In my local community there was an organization called “Black Voices for Peace,” and listening to the radio I had begun to think that the only voices of wisdom and sanity I was hearing on from this group and out of the African American community.
But the animals mean more to me. And if you stand with Vick on this, I cannot stand with you. I will not waste my time and breath defending your issues anymore, nor will I seek to make common cause with you on other issues.
Arrgh.
Stefani
The Toonces Project
http://www.TheTooncesProject.com
“Is Your Pet Safe at the Vet?”