Man, Michael Vick's in trouble. When I heard the charges, it sounded stupid, but it sounds like he took the dogfighting way too far.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/football/nfl/07/17/vick.indicted.ap/index.html?cnn=yes

Talk about a disappointment...Vick underachieves, brings a bong to the airport, flicks off fans, and now this.

Honestly, the Falcons should just cut him. They're not winning a championship with his undedicated ass and he brings too much baggage off the field.

It is sad to see someone screw up their life. He would have been the highest paid player in the NFL this year, although he has never produced at a level that would have justified that. Now he will likely be suspended for the year, and if he is convicted his career is over.

Yeah, but on the plus side, he'll have all those years of abusing animals with his friends to look back on.

You can't put a price tag on those kind of memories.

:eek:

I live in Virginia not very far from all of this.

He picked the wrong state to do this in and he should have the brains to know that.

#1 - We are home to the world headquarters of PETA. They are everywhere and so are the intense laws they have gotten passed here for things like dog fighting

#2 - Gambling is illegal in the state and they mean it.

He already has enough money, it's quite clear he was just doing it for the sake of gambling and entertainment.

The sentence doesn't seem very severe for him and he will likely get the time reduced with decent lawyers.

I expect now that he has been officially indicted the Falcons, if not the NFL will bar him from playing if it even looks like he might be guilty.

what a moron. Him and his moron brother, I bet their parents are real proud! They have two sons that threw away promising careers to be morons instead. And to think, the Falcons just traded away Schwab LMAO. screw them. I never have liked the Falcons.

what a moron. Him and his moron brother, I bet their parents are real proud! They have two sons that threw away promising careers to be morons instead. And to think, the Falcons just traded away Schwab LMAO. screw them. I never have liked the Falcons.

LOL yeah who could forget about Marcus? What did he do again, scare some kids off with a gun in a McDonald's parking lot?

That's something you should really lose an NFL career over.

Originally posted by Travh20
And to think, the Falcons just traded away Schwab LMAO.
Can the Fal-cons say...Culpepper?

All things considered, if the Falcons are desperate enough to sign Culpepper their season has really gone to the dogs.

I'd give Culpepper a whirl...he's supposed to be healthy now and if he can get to, or even just close to his old form; he's actually an upgrade over Vick.

Amusing tidbit, the Dolphin's two quarterbacks from last season would be fighting it out for the starting spot on a different team.

I feel sorry for the dogs.

I'd give Culpepper a whirl...he's supposed to be healthy now and if he can get to, or even just close to his old form; he's actually an upgrade over Vick.

Amusing tidbit, the Dolphin's two quarterbacks from last season would be fighting it out for the starting spot on a different team.

Culpepper is so overrated. When he was on the Vikings, he only did well cause he had such a badass team. I remember he got hurt for a game or two, a no-name backup came in and started putting up superior numbers to him.

Originally posted by Leper
I remember he got hurt for a game or two, a no-name backup came in and started putting up superior numbers to him.
Gus Frerotte...and no exactly "no-name" either. Remember when he was with Washington, where he celebrated scoring a touchdown by ramming his head into the end zone wall and knocking himself out? Classic...

I liked pep when he was able to put up the big numbers and potential HOF stats...but somewhere along the way, it was all downhill for him; namely the 2005 season. People thought the Vikes were dumb to trade him off...looks like they were doing the right thing after all.

Man, Michael Vick's in trouble.Maybe he should of hid the dogs in his false-bottom water bottle!

Gus Frerotte...and no exactly "no-name" either. Remember when he was with Washington, where he celebrated scoring a touchdown by ramming his head into the end zone wall and knocking himself out? Classic...

I liked pep when he was able to put up the big numbers and potential HOF stats...but somewhere along the way, it was all downhill for him; namely the 2005 season. People thought the Vikes were dumb to trade him off...looks like they were doing the right thing after all.


Well, there was that too, but I was thinking a longer time ago. I googled it, and the QB's name was Todd Bouman (he now backs up Favre interestingly). Culpepper got hurt for a few games and Bouman looked like a pro-bowler when he came in.

Actually the Packers released him. Currently Favre's backups are Aaron Rogers and Ingles Martin.

good luck picking up a good QB at this point. All they will get is training camp fodder now. Unless they want to trade away a star player like Crumpler.

Vick= most overrated player right now

He hasn't won shit, hasn't even come CLOSE to winning shit, and is not a good quarterback. If he wasn't black, he wouldnt even be in the NFL.

A close second in most overrated player= Vince Young.. people are already calling this guy a "legend" just because he took a decent team and made a run at the end of the season.

Matt Leinart > Vince Young

Culpepper is so overrated. When he was on the Vikings, he only did well cause he had such a badass team. I remember he got hurt for a game or two, a no-name backup came in and started putting up superior numbers to him.

Eh, I don't read much into that. Kelly Holcomb played extremely well back in the 2003 when he came in for the injured Tim Couch; he actually threw for over 400 frickin' yards vs the Steelers in the playoffs. (in a losing effort, of course) Next season, we made him the starter and he was terrible. Defenses don't know the habits of the 2nd stringers and often they put up great numbers for a couple of games.

Vick isn't a good passer, and that's why I don't think he'll ever become a great player. Culpepper's shown he can be a pro-bowl caliber QB and I would definitely roll the dice on him.

Vick= most overrated player right now

He hasn't won shit, hasn't even come CLOSE to winning shit, and is not a good quarterback. If he wasn't black, he wouldnt even be in the NFL.

A close second in most overrated player= Vince Young.. people are already calling this guy a "legend" just because he took a decent team and made a run at the end of the season.

Matt Leinart > Vince Young

Did you see the Titans last season? Young came in as a rookie and won what, 5 in a row? With the team they had, that was impressive.

What did Leinart do with Edge, Boldin, and Fitzgerald?

Now, Ben Roflzburger is overrated. He hands the ball off to Parker/Bettis, wins a Super Bowl, and all of a sudden he's an amazing QB. Then, when they actually tried to pass the ball more than 15 times a game he was terrible. Hmmm....

Did you see the Titans last season? Young came in as a rookie and won what, 5 in a row? With the team they had, that was impressive.

What did Leinart do with Edge, Boldin, and Fitzgerald?

With the team they had exactly...

Tennessee had a solid Offensive line, A solid D, good running backs(Travis Henry left).... they just needed a spark because they didn't even care. Kerry Collins had a miserable year, and so then while I admit Young was a catalyst, the ability was already there.

And meanwhile Leinart might have had better recievers and running backs, he had a horrid offensive line and not a good defense.

I am no Vick fan, but you can not say he has never done anything or come close to doing anything. Remember when he went into Lambeau and beat the Packers in a playoff game in late december or january?

I am no Vick fan, but you can not say he has never done anything or come close to doing anything. Remember when he went into Lambeau and beat the Packers in a playoff game in late december or january?

Packers, along with the rest of the NFC, weren't very good that year. After that, the Falcons then got mandhandled by the Eagles.

Micheal Vick is like Kordell Stewart, just a little faster. They both can't throw the ball accurately, have decent arms, and can run fast.

Vick has had his moments to shine, but he has never come close to putting it all together

there is no punishment good enough for this

Micheal Vick is like Kordell Stewart, just a little faster. They both can't throw the ball accurately, have decent arms, and can run fast.

Vick has had his moments to shine, but he has never come close to putting it all together


lol the falcons needed an easy way to get rid of him

Originally posted by hclager
lol the falcons needed an easy way to get rid of him
Looks like you got your wish....temporarily.
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2946832

Upper Deck (http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/2007-07-28-2665339352_x.htm), Nike (http://www.theledger.com/article/20070728/NEWS/707280482/1002/SPORTS)and Reebok (http://www.boston.com/business/globe/articles/2007/07/28/reebok_halts_sales_of_vick_jerseys/)pull Vick items from sales. One of the co-defendants, Tony Taylor (http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/falcons/stories/2007/07/27/0728plea.html?cxntlid=homepage_tab_newstab)is taking a deal.

Got to wonder if Mr. Vick will play professional ball ever again.

Originally posted by es347fan
Got to wonder if Mr. Vick will play professional ball ever again.
Let's just say that Harrington had better get comfortable taking Vick's place.

With the team they had exactly...

Tennessee had a solid Offensive line, A solid D, good running backs(Travis Henry left).... they just needed a spark because they didn't even care. Kerry Collins had a miserable year, and so then while I admit Young was a catalyst, the ability was already there.

And meanwhile Leinart might have had better recievers and running backs, he had a horrid offensive line and not a good defense.

A good offensive line is neccessary to make a quarteback look good. The Packers were starting three rookies last year, and Favre looked terrible the first three quarters of the season. When the rookies started to play better the last month of the season, they won their final four games and Favre looked good even with only one legitimate receiver. The running game also improved remarkably. It ain't glamorous, but the play of the offensive and defensive lines wins games.

Eh, I don't read much into that. Kelly Holcomb played extremely well back in the 2003 when he came in for the injured Tim Couch; he actually threw for over 400 frickin' yards vs the Steelers in the playoffs. (in a losing effort, of course) Next season, we made him the starter and he was terrible. Defenses don't know the habits of the 2nd stringers and often they put up great numbers for a couple of games.

Vick isn't a good passer, and that's why I don't think he'll ever become a great player. Culpepper's shown he can be a pro-bowl caliber QB and I would definitely roll the dice on him.

Hey Carbon, take it from a Minnesota Viking fan, Culpepper is overrated. When he put up his good numbers he had a very good line in front of him, pro bowl wide receivers in Moss and Carter and was a threat to run the ball. With his legs taking a beating and thus being less of a threat to run, he is no longer a quarterback you would want running your team. When he was a running threat, teams would have to leave someone out of pass coverage in case Culpepper decided to run, thus taking one player out of pass coverage. With Culpepper no longer a threat to run it means there are now more people back in coverage and tougher to find an open guy. Culpepper struggles to sit in the pocket and read defenses, something he now must do with his legs shot. Culpepper also has small hands and he will constantly fumble the ball away to kill drives. Honestly I feel for any team that will put their hopes in Culpepper.

South Carolina Inmate Hits Michael Vick With $63,000,000,000 (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,293268,00.html) Lawsuit Alleging Al Qaeda Ties.

South Carolina Inmate Hits Michael Vick With $63,000,000,000 (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,293268,00.html) Lawsuit Alleging Al Qaeda Ties.
What the hell? Is Fox taking news stories from The Onion?

What the hell? Is Fox taking news stories from The Onion?

If they are, Atlanta's (http://www.ajc.com/falcons/content/sports/falcons/stories/2007/07/27/vickbrite_0727.html)"Daily Planet" did as well.

Hey Carbon, take it from a Minnesota Viking fan, Culpepper is overrated. When he put up his good numbers he had a very good line in front of him, pro bowl wide receivers in Moss and Carter and was a threat to run the ball. With his legs taking a beating and thus being less of a threat to run, he is no longer a quarterback you would want running your team. When he was a running threat, teams would have to leave someone out of pass coverage in case Culpepper decided to run, thus taking one player out of pass coverage. With Culpepper no longer a threat to run it means there are now more people back in coverage and tougher to find an open guy. Culpepper struggles to sit in the pocket and read defenses, something he now must do with his legs shot. Culpepper also has small hands and he will constantly fumble the ball away to kill drives. Honestly I feel for any team that will put their hopes in Culpepper.

I think he's a lot like Kurt Warner in the sense that he had an amazing team around him and put up some amazing numbers. Remember, the same year Peyton broke the TD pass record, Daunte had 39 TD passes himself which is very impressive. Like Warner, a combination of weaker teams and injuries really diminished him. Regardless, I think Oakland is a perfect place for him. It makes sense for Culpepper as he gets another starting QB gig to showcase what he can do and it makes sense for the Raiders as Culpepper is the ideal rolemodel for JaMarcus Russell.

I don't know, I'm probably overvaluing him since Cleveland's had miserable QBs every since we came back to the league. Grass is always greener on the other side...

I think Culpepper just has the bad memories in your head from miami last year, when he couldn't outrun a tortoise with a broken leg.

Culpepper, when he is healthy and has a line that can give him more than 2 seconds to throw, could still easily be a top tier QB... but I will admit that he had alot of questionable throws saved by a then-in-prime Randy Moss.

Back to Mike Vick... I heard an interesting take the other day, and I whole-heartedly agree. Mike Vick "keeps it real".. he "rides with his boys that he grew up with"... where did that get Mike Vick? As soon as the feds came in, these "brothas" sang like canaries to get plea bargains. Mike Vick can blame himself for keeping the company he keeps. People who are shallow, deceptive, cold, and uncaring. When you become a pro athlete, you can't keep on "runnin' the streets" and worry about your "street cred"... get some class, get some dignity.

The black youth have nothing good to look up to these days. There are no Martin Luther King Jr.'s, no Muhammad Ali's... nobody who is intelligent, respectful, and clean. Let me clarify that there ARE intelligent, respectful black folk out there to look up to... but they are seen as outcasts... outsiders. They are "Uncle Toms"... they ain't "keepin it real". When a black man get's 24 inch rims, spends half of his life in jail, and does drugs... he's "keepin it real"... if he leads a life of integrity, he's a sellout to the white man. It's all the white man's fault. They hate black people because they "keep real"!.. which is BS. People despise anyone who "keeps it real" in such a way because of the crimes and behavior they participate in, not because of the skin color.

Oh and one more thing.. I've been hearing so many black activists calling in crying how the media is labeling Mike Vick as guilty.. and asking "Whatever happened to innocent until proven guilty? Mike Vick is an INNOCENT MAN".... Let me just ask you, Mr. Black Activist, where were you during the Duke Lacrosse Scandal?

Nuff Said.

The black youth have nothing good to look up to these days. There are no Martin Luther King Jr.'s, no Muhammad Ali's... nobody who is intelligent, respectful, and clean. Let me clarify that there ARE intelligent, respectful black folk out there to look up to... but they are seen as outcasts... outsiders. They are "Uncle Toms"... they ain't "keepin it real". When a black man get's 24 inch rims, spends half of his life in jail, and does drugs... he's "keepin it real"... if he leads a life of integrity, he's a sellout to the white man. It's all the white man's fault. They hate black people because they "keep real"!.. which is BS. People despise anyone who "keeps it real" in such a way because of the crimes and behavior they participate in, not because of the skin color.

I think Obama is pretty cool as a role model but he's pretty new to the scene. There is no shortage of black role models: longtime candidates include Oprah, Tavis Smiley, Susan Taylor, Cornel West, Ishmael Reed, H. Louis Gates, Toni Morrison, etc. But I can't speak for folks in the hood and who their role models are. I don't really understand why people say that black people have no role models whenever a high profile black athlete screws up. This suggests two unwarranted assumptions.The first assumption is that professional black athletes are the only legitimate examples of success within the black community. Second, there is the assumption that professional black athletes ought to be seen first and foremost as role models. My list of black role models above indicates that other avenues of success are open to blacks that are not limited exclusively to sports. As far as the second assumption goes, I am not certain that most athletes (whether they are black, white, Latino, Asian, etc) first and foremost see themselves as role models: if anything, they see themselves first as people making making a living doing what they love. Only our social expectations allow us to tag professional athletes as "role models". We expect the wealthy (and most professional athletes are members of this economic class) to be charitable to their communities and to the youth in order to exemplify selflessness. "See, even the rich have morals!" We want pro athletes to be role models and no where is this more important than in a society where children need more adults to look up to: especially when their fathers or mothers have deserted them or abused them.

But back to the thread topic. Vick obviously screwed up. I actually think that he should have admitted guilt from the beginning and offered an apology to the public. Because he lied to the public, the Falcons's owner, and the NFL, he has thrown more gas on a fire in which he now burns.

Will Vick ever throw another pass in the NFL? My answer: no.

I think Obama is pretty cool as a role model but he's pretty new to the scene. There is no shortage of black role models: longtime candidates include Oprah, Tavis Smiley, Susan Taylor, Cornel West, Ishmael Reed, H. Louis Gates, Toni Morrison, etc. But I can't speak for folks in the hood and who their role models are.

That's how it SHOULD be Erst.. but most of the black folk, or most of the black community, is represented and defined by rappers and athletes.. because that is what is all over TV all day every day.

I don't really understand why people say that black people have no role models whenever a high profile black athlete screws up. This suggests two unwarranted assumptions.The first assumption is that professional black athletes are the only legitimate examples of success within the black community.

I agree with you, but the people who DESERVE to be "looked up to" ARE NOT looked up to... ask anyone from the hood to know who anyone on that list besides Oprah you named... or anyone OUT of the hood for that matter LOL.

Second, there is the assumption that professional black athletes ought to be seen first and foremost as role models. My list of black role models above indicates that other avenues of success are open to blacks that are not limited exclusively to sports. As far as the second assumption goes, I am not certain that most athletes (whether they are black, white, Latino, Asian, etc) first and foremost see themselves as role models: if anything, they see themselves first as people making making a living doing what they love. Only our social expectations allow us to tag professional athletes as "role models". We expect the wealthy (and most professional athletes are members of this economic class) to be charitable to their communities and to the youth in order to exemplify selflessness. "See, even the rich have morals!" We want pro athletes to be role models and no where is this more important than in a society where children need more adults to look up to: especially when their fathers or mothers have deserted them or abused them.

You touch on a good subject. Most professional athletes have some kind of mental disorder. Now granted this mental disorder makes them LOTS of money and allows them to befriend great fame and money.. it is still a disorder... whether it be obsessive compulsive, competitive-natured, those are not mentally healthy conditions.

In some ways the black community has halfway labeled THEMSELVES on some of these issues. I'm talking stereotypical, what the media portrays. I realize that there is a golden sect of the black community that is never talked about. They just never get any media. Why? Because there is no money in black people who are respectful. There are PLENTY of them out there, but the part of the black community that gets the most say in what "they" are is the part that buys 24 inch rims, goes to jail, kills people, does drugs, "makes it rain", kills dogs... whatever. That is what gets the press, and that is sadly what is represented.

Bill Cosby came out a few years ago and tried to tell the black folk to quit blaming other people but to man up and put a good foot forward, and he got SHUT DOWN. I'm guessing there is too much money to be made off of the ghetto "hip hop" image... they made sure Cosby shut up.

I'm curious about what you mean, Decka--about most pro athletes suffering from a mental disorder?

Will Vick ever throw another pass in the NFL? My answer: no.

I tend to agree, silver, esp seeing as how the new Commish has laid down a tough new policy regarding NFL players shenanigans.

Still tho, he might play again. Imagine the ridicule he'll receive every single time he sets foot on the gridiron--for good reason.

He's finished. I used to kinda like him but torturing dogs---bad.

Will Vick ever throw another pass in the NFL? My answer: no.

It's possible he won't get another QB gig but he could get a shot at kick returner or something like that...he's just too athletic to not take a look at.

I'm curious about what you mean, Decka--about most pro athletes suffering from a mental disorder?

No problem. In case you didn't know I went to school in exercise science and did some personal training, along with weightlifting competitions back in high school. I've been around top athletes, nationally ranked high school players, older distance runners, body builders....

So you are probably wondering.. "the results they get are positive, how could they have a DISORDER?"... my response is that a disorder CAN produce a "positive result". Most body builders are obsessive about themselves. It is healthy to watch what you eat, but to puke up anything that has sugar or carbs is going a tad far. Obviously that person has an obsession. The same with distance runners... I have met some that HAVE to run. If they didn't they would have an emotional and mental breakdown. However, they put out results that were very good. Don't let the results fool you, look at the behavior.

What is the difference between someone who is caught on Dateline's "to catch a predator" and someone who would freak out and break down if they didn't run or ate something that wasn't absolutely perfect for them? The difference is the result, the similarity is they both have an obsession. However, old guys going after young women is seen as bad (and i have to agree), while being in shape is seen as good, reguardless of the means in which you achieve it.

As for mainstream pro athletes... Many of them do suffer from a competitive disorder... others are food and exercise freaks... but they are still obsessions. Granted, others are mentally sound and naturally gifted.. like Lebron James.

Now that I think about it... Lebron James is probably the only guy who is hyped up past the stars and happens to be a good roll model for the black community. I'm talking about deserving your hype, ethically. Lebron really hasn't fallen into the "ghetto fabulous" image, and is always quite respectful.

Originally posted by CarbonBasedLife
It's possible he won't get another QB gig but he could get a shot at kick returner or something like that...he's just too athletic to not take a look at.
Originally posted by Rendova

I tend to agree, silver, esp seeing as how the new Commish has laid down a tough new policy regarding NFL players shenanigans.

Still tho, he might play again. Imagine the ridicule he'll receive every single time he sets foot on the gridiron--for good reason.

He's finished. I used to kinda like him but torturing dogs---bad.
If the Fal-cons were to take Vick back, it would certainly leave a bruise on the credibility of the franchise, which will lead them to likely become the scorn of the NFL and hated by many. If he comes back at all, it will be for a vary minor role. I don't think any other team wants to risk their credibility by hiring a dog murderer.

I'm glad Goodell is taking the stance that he is on the entire NFL. Its image was hurting severely after the numerous arrests and convictions that were coming to fruition.

I think Vick has a very bright future...in the Arena Football League.

Don't forget TNA Wrestling...Vick and Pacman can form a tag-team.

Don't forget TNA Wrestling...Vick and Pacman can form a tag-team.

Why stop there? Have tank johnson, chris henry.. they could form a "bad boy NFL faction" LOL

I feel sorry for the dogs.
This sort of left-wing, animal-loving hooey cracks me up. Save the whales, spotted-owls, sparkling newts and Rhodesian Blaster dragons! Give me a break already! Vick and company only killed the dogs that were not any good at their trial fights. There is no reason to believe he choked/drowned/crucified any good dogs.

(Wonder what he'll do to his Road Dogs after this is all over. They turned tail in a fight, too, huh?)

Originally posted by Shilohproject
Vick and company only killed the dogs that were not any good at their trial fights. There is no reason to believe he choked/drowned/crucified any good dogs.
It doesn't matter how he did it...the fact of the matter is that he did it.

This sort of left-wing, animal-loving hooey cracks me up. Save the whales, spotted-owls, sparkling newts and Rhodesian Blaster dragons! Give me a break already! Vick and company only killed the dogs that were not any good at their trial fights. There is no reason to believe he choked/drowned/crucified any good dogs.

(Wonder what he'll do to his Road Dogs after this is all over. They turned tail in a fight, too, huh?)

Left wing hooey?
Those dogs were beaten to death.
the only time a man/woman should bother a dog is if the dog is attacking THEM. Hooey, my butt.
Getting back to Vick, he'll have fun with the Aryan Brotherhood is prison. Those nice fellas are notorious dog ring thugs themselves.

I was kinda hoping he could room with a big-ole redneck "Bubba". The only thing some of these ole boys love better than their PBR and guns, is that coon dog that goes with em' for the evening hunt.

:D

Some folks might wanna turn on their irony detectors.:rolleyes:

No problem. In case you didn't know I went to school in exercise science and did some personal training, along with weightlifting competitions back in high school. I've been around top athletes, nationally ranked high school players, older distance runners, body builders....

So you are probably wondering.. "the results they get are positive, how could they have a DISORDER?"... my response is that a disorder CAN produce a "positive result". Most body builders are obsessive about themselves. It is healthy to watch what you eat, but to puke up anything that has sugar or carbs is going a tad far. Obviously that person has an obsession. The same with distance runners... I have met some that HAVE to run. If they didn't they would have an emotional and mental breakdown. However, they put out results that were very good. Don't let the results fool you, look at the behavior.

What is the difference between someone who is caught on Dateline's "to catch a predator" and someone who would freak out and break down if they didn't run or ate something that wasn't absolutely perfect for them? The difference is the result, the similarity is they both have an obsession. However, old guys going after young women is seen as bad (and i have to agree), while being in shape is seen as good, reguardless of the means in which you achieve it.

As for mainstream pro athletes... Many of them do suffer from a competitive disorder... others are food and exercise freaks... but they are still obsessions. Granted, others are mentally sound and naturally gifted.. like Lebron James.

Now that I think about it... Lebron James is probably the only guy who is hyped up past the stars and happens to be a good roll model for the black community. I'm talking about deserving your hype, ethically. Lebron really hasn't fallen into the "ghetto fabulous" image, and is always quite respectful.

I absolutely agree that many of them are way too obsessive. It's ridiculous, the stuff they do to themselves. I read once about Lance Armstrong's training program. Even the Spartans didn't punish themselves the way that guy did--for a BIKE riding championship.

I think I'm gonna puke....

Atlanta NAACP: Let Quarterback Michael Vick Return to NFL
Aug 22, 2007 12:57 PM
ATLANTA (AP) - Michael Vick should be allowed to return to the NFL, preferably the Atlanta Falcons, after serving his sentence for his role in a dogfighting 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 the 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 said the Falcons quarterback is a human being who has made a mistake and should be allowed to prove that he has learned from that mistake.
On Monday, Vick said through a lawyer that he will plead guilty to a federal charge of conspiracy to travel in interstate commerce in aid of unlawful activities and conspiracy to sponsor a dog in an animal fighting venture.
Three Vick associates have pleaded guilty to the conspiracy charge and say Vick provided nearly all the gambling and operating funds for the "Bad Newz Kennels" dogfighting enterprise. Two of them also said Vick participated in executing at least eight underperforming dogs, raising the possibility of the animal cruelty charges.
Last month, state and local leaders of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People urged the public not to rush to judgment in the Vick case. The civil rights organization said animal rights groups, talk radio and the news media were vilifying the embattled athlete, and that his team and corporate sponsors were prematurely punishing Vick.
White said the Atlanta chapter supports Vick's decision to accept a plea bargain if it's in his best interest, but he questioned the credibility of Vick's co-defendants, saying an admission of guilt might be more about cutting losses than the truth.
"At this point, you're not looking at guilt or innocence," White said, referring to the possible harsher sentence Vick could have received had he taken his case to trial and been found guilty. "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."
White said he regretted that the plea deal will mean all the facts of the case might never be known.
"Some have said things to save their own necks," White said. "Michael Vick has received more negative press than if he had killed a human being."
White said he does not support dogfighting and that he considers it as bad as hunting.
"His crime is, it was a dog," White said.


Ummm, I think there was a bit of other things in the plea bargain, such as...

Interstate trafficing of dogs for gambling
Gambling on dog fights (6 years worth)
"Bank-rolling" the entire operation including gambling losses

I also do not equate hunting with drowning, hanging, or electricution of domestic animals that "don't measure up to test fights". I also don't know many people that kill dogs for sport and food.

The NAACP are so quick to defend a black athlete... but were also quick to "convict" a group of white kids. The North Carolina NAACP had (until recently) the 82 charges against the Duke lacrosse players on their website. I checked the site today... still saw no apology there (they had taken off the Duke stuff though).

and they wonder why most people pay them no attention....

Another good idea gone horribly bad. Instead of promoting equality they become no better than KKK apologists. They end up promoting racism, not helping to eliminate it.

With Vick entering into a deal & pleading guilty, regardless of sentence imposed, he will be a convicted felon. Despite his skin color, should any convicted felon be allowed to continue with a multi-million dollar contract to play for the NFL? Don't most sports contracts contain some type of morals clause(s) that permit the franchise to bail if those clauses are violated? Like it or not, professional atheletes are role models for millions. Allowing a convicted felon to continue to draw a huge paycheck sends the wrong message, IMHO.

Yep, looks like the Atlanta Chapter of the NAACP is trying to turn this into a race issue.

Like the old saying goes: "if it were anybody else, we wouldn't give a damn."

Yep, looks like the Atlanta Chapter of the NAACP is trying to turn this into a race issue.

Like everything else they get involved in - why does that surprise anyone?

Honestly, I think Vick is getting a bad rap, and I think he should be allowed to return to the NFL.

Dog-fighting is wrong, and it should be a crime. But once again, compared to all of the other criminals out there, he seems like small fish to me. I would rather see a $200 shoplifter (Winona Rider anyone?) getting a harsher penalty than Vick is getting.

Let's face it, most of our society contributes to the brutal slaughter of animals on a daily basis. Are dogs better than cattle? I don't see that. Granted, Vick did it for pleasure and people typically kill cattle for profit. Nevertheless, that's a fine distinction IMO, and the line between criminal and law-abiding citizen is very fine indeed.

Let the guy serve his time and play in the NFL. At the very least, wouldn't he do more good if he donated a substantial portion of his salary to right his wrongs rather than lived his life away from the career he was born for?

Vick would not be the first to crash & burn from the NFL - or any other major sport. For some it's the knees, for others it's nose candy, for him it's the dogs.

If there is some form of compensation for his actions (other than just jail time), I could see an eventual return to the NFL. However, I don't think fans of ANY team will want a dog killer to join their roster. Cause we all know how bad it looks when a team hires a criminal.

It's official: Vick admits guilt, indefinite suspension imminent.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d801c1644&template=with-video&confirm=true

Michael Vick (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20429109/) has been suspended indefinitely without pay by the NFL. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said Vick’s admitted conduct was “not only illegal but also cruel and reprehensible”

shoplifting over what Vick did?

It is pretty much a give-in that Vick is talking out of his ass. There are TONS of witnesses who say he bet on and killed these dogs... beating them, slamming them against the pavement until they are dead, electrocuting them, and also gambling on the outcomes. That is fucked up shit. The guy is very similar to a murderer if you ask me. I'm no "animals are people" activist, i realize the difference, but to be so cold as to being able to beat a dog to death is just messed up to me. It borderlines on psychotic.

http://i12.tinypic.com/4tzq7vq.gif

http://i3.tinypic.com/4y0gta8.gif

This is sad.. the Falcons top player now in big trouble... sucks for the Falcons and those dogs that died x[

Awwwwwww (http://www.wsbtv.com/news/14378708/detail.html)

If there is some form of compensation for his actions (other than just jail time), I could see an eventual return to the NFL. However, I don't think fans of ANY team will want a dog killer to join their roster. Cause we all know how bad it looks when a team hires a criminal.
there's always the Cowboys.

Or the Raiders

Or the Vikings during the Mike "Meathead" Tice Era.