Less than three months ago on April 24, 2007, Michael Vick was on Capital Hill asking lawmakers to increase federal funding for after school programs. His visit included being honored with a “Breakfast of Champions” for his work in Georgia and Virginia with his foundation’s support of “Afterschool Programs.”
How quickly times change.
Vick’s next trip north from Atlanta will not be for an honor but, more likely, to visit the national courthouse in Richmond, Virginia to face federal charges of “Conspiracy” and violations of the “Travel Act” in connection with competitive dogfighting, procuring and training dogs for fighting and conducting the enterprise across state lines.
Time will tell if Vick is guilty or not - and based on the Richmond courthouse’s reputation of justice prevailing in a timely manner (they’re known as the “rocket docket” courthouse), we should find out sooner than later.
I’m no lawyer, nor am I here to provide any legal discourse. However, I offer this … Michael, what the hell were you thinking? As a professional athlete - and one of the highest paid athletes in the world, how does one even get close to sniffing potential problems like this? Aren’t there better ways to spend your spare time and money?
To be young and wealthy isn’t a position for which I am expert, so I don’t know how I would “play” if I fit that M.O. However, I am a dog-lover, so I find it completely repulsive for one to even think of dogfighting - let alone attending, betting, or breeding in this highly inhumane activity.
If Michael Vick is indeed convicted of this hideous crime, he needs to go to jail for a very long time and never again have the privilege to play football in the NFL.
This could be a sad ending to one of America’s truly great athletes - but far less sad than what happens to those poor dogs.
IF Michael Vick is guilty? Michael Vick is as guilty as OJ….so expect him back in the NFL if not this year then next……
Comment by Effie Pee — July 18, 2007 @ 9:43 pm
Forget jail…Vick should be put into the UFC Octagon with Rampage Jackson for a few minutes every week as his punishment.
Comment by Manny — July 19, 2007 @ 5:12 am
Have you read the indictment? This man is going away for a long time.
http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2007/0717072vick1.html
Comment by jackmack — July 19, 2007 @ 6:55 am
this may be a shocker but people in some parts of the U.S. (black & white) don’t see dogfighting as such a horrible thing…you have no idea what it’s like to go from poor black to rich black and the pressures that go along with it…and I swear pro sports (particulary the black dominated NFL & NBA) is the only area in this capitalist country where an employee is told that his display of hard work and skill is a privilege…
Comment by Mike — July 24, 2007 @ 2:23 pm