The jury trial of Michael Vick is set for November 26th, so don’t expect dogfighting stories to go away anytime soon. And let’s hope the shame stays in the public eye until the Feds can put an end to this horrific activity.

Since the Vick indictment, only a handful of Vick fans have come to his defense … and most of them only ask for the process to take its course. I can deal with their legal logic. However, I cannot deal with those who admit to attending dogfighting – and blow it off as being less offensive than those who create the activity. That’s nonsensical since, like any event, without patrons, the activity can’t occur. Watching dogfighting is also appalling. Period.

I’m the first to admit that I’ve done some dumb things in my life – especially during my college days. Most of us have skeletons in our closets. However, watching dogfighting is hideous to me because it goes beyond simply being young and stupid. Stupidity is a matter involving the organ above your neck. Watching dogfighting is a matter of the organ between your waist and neck. It’s a matter of the heart.

While recently listening to Boston’s leading sports talk-radio station WEEI, fill-in co-host Steve DeOssie admitted to attending a dogfighting event. DeOssie, a former NFL player with the Giants, Jets, and Patriots, told listeners he was 22-years old when he attended the dogfight. He wrote it off as being young and stupid and said that he regretted attending. However, he also admitted that he didn’t leave until 11 dogfights were done.

DeOssie’s radio schtick is being an NFL tough-guy… and since sports talk-radio is entertainment (not sports journalism), schtick is what it’s all about. To be fair, Steve’s analysis of pro football gets good reviews. However, sadly, I will now always think of DeOssie as a dogfighting attendee.

DeOssie and others can write it off as being young and stupid all they want, but how do they answer to themselves and, more importantly, their loved-ones. Personally, I would have a difficult time relating to a friend or family member who attended dogfighting…at any age. But that’s just me.

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.