“I don’t know if [Mike Vick] was fighting dogs or not, but it’s his property, it’s his dog. If that’s what he wants to do, do it. I think people should mind their business. … It can’t be too bad of a crime.”
This was a sampling of the idiocy that dribbled from the mouth of Washington Redskins running back Clinton Portis on Monday, as he so chivalrously defended the Atlanta Falcons quarterback, who owns a residence suspected of playing host to a dog fighting ring. Apparently that memo about the NFL cracking down on criminal behavior didn’t reach the nation’s capitol. Figures.
Before going on, I should come clean. For most of my life, my family’s been privy to the companionship of man’s best friend(s). When I was 10, my birthday present was Jake - a black Lab, who was my best buddy through adolescence and those awkward teen years. After that, we got Molly. Along the way came their son, Mickey.
Just about the saddest day of my life was the day we put Jake to sleep. Just about the saddest movie I’ve ever seen was Old Yeller.
Basically, I’m a dog kinda guy.
I think people, who in any way involve themselves with or condone dog fighting, are criminals and cowards. Sickening human beings, basically. Portis might be a helluva running back and Vick might be a helluva quarterback, but character, compassion and decency are certainly lacking with these two.
Dog fighting is disgusting and deplorable. It’s not boxing or mixed-martial arts, it’s not a fight. It’s animals, pitted against each other by men with dollar signs and bloodlust dancing through their heads, killing each other.
To allow such an act to occur shows a lack of compassion and respect for animals I can’t fathom. I understand there’s different cultures, there’s different beliefs. Some believe bull fighting is glorious. I think it’s legalized slaughter sprinkled with false bravery. Here in the good ole US of A, dog fighting is a crime, though. And with the NFL’s recent run of punishment, I’m hoping for Jake, Molly, Mickey and every pit bull that was only uncaged to fight for its life, that the NFL, right along with law enforcement, comes up with a fit punishment.
From everything I’ve ever heard or read, punishments involving crimes against animals aren’t all that steep. They’re just animals, after all. A rooster here, a pit bull there. Just animals who have no choice in life, but to react to the situations that immoral deviants put them into.
“In the recent interview I gave concerning dog fighting, I want to make it clear I do not take part in dog fighting or condone dog fighting in any manner,” Portis later said in a statement.
It was as if, like many an athlete before him, he let the media know the truth, and, after a stern behind-the-scenes talking to, scrambled to take back the words that had already revealed his true feelings. He didn’t agree with his coach’s play calling. He didn’t think the defense was holding up its end. But this isn’t anything like that. This isn’t about being a bad teammate or a bad role model, it’s about being a bad person.
Plain and simple.
