After all the speculation about whether our boy quarterback Michael Vick of the Atlanta Falcons was going to be kicked to the curb, owner Arthur Blank acknowledged this week that he had planned to suspend quarterback Vick four games -- the maximum allowed by the NFL's collective bargaining agreement -- in the wake of last week's indictment in a case involving illegal interstate dog-fighting.The charges included dogfighting, procuring and training pit bulls for competitive fighting, and running this business ring across state lines.
It was only after NFL commissioner Roger Goodell intervened on Monday and ordered Vick to stay away from training camp until the league completed its review of the case that Blank agreed to back off his decision to suspend Vick.
It seems that the highly illegal (alleged) activities have been going on since Vick’s rookie season in 2001. Vick quickly broke out during his second season, disproving many critics that labeled him a one-dimensional quarterback that could only use his feet to produce in the NFL, as he led the team to the 2nd round of the playoffs since their Super Bowl Appearance in 1998.
His popularity with endorsements, including donning the cover of the highly respected Madden video game, helped make him one of the most recognizable names in football.
With all this fame, fortune, and recognition, what makes a successful, smart man like this want to become involved in dogfighting? I’ve never seen any dogfighting in person so maybe it’s the most exciting thing for Vick, since 245+ pound assassins looking to take his head off on the field doesn’t faze him. Is the adrenaline rush worth a Federal charge to stick your million dollar neck out to fund and run this business?
He appeared to have kept busy with worthwhile charitable activities, especially those which benefit economically-disadvantaged youth such as after-school programs, football camps, and the Boys and Girls Clubs. In 2006, he joined his mother and brother in forming the Vick Foundation.Dogfighting is known as a ‘hood event anyway, so maybe this was his way of staying grounded and not letting his boys think that he forgot where he came from. When it comes to an established, well-known Black athlete making the decision to break from past negative influences, unfortunately, many of these brothers are choosing to go with the guys that didn’t rise up.
"The NFL is very disappointed that Michael Vick has put himself in this position," Goodell said. "We think that dog fighting is despicable, and we're very concerned about the allegations that are being made."
I’ve seen this movie before and it annoys me to keep asking why the pressure isn’t on his friends and illegal business partners to do things the right way, and live up to Vick’s potential, rather than bring him down to a level he already should have since forgotten.
There appears to be a good chance that Goodell will prohibit Vick from playing the entire season if his investigation reveals Vick's involvement with the dog-fighting operation. Blank didn't offer any assurances that Vick would remain with the team once the case is litigated, especially if Vick is found guilty of the charges.
By all means, don’t simply leave your brothers behind, but if they want to run a business, Vick should give them the reigns to a quaint little ice cream shop, where they can utilize their savvy business skills. There’s too much money to be made legally in this country for us to be finding as many criminal ways as we can to entertain ourselves and put money in our pockets.
But hey, that's just me!
Keep talking, it’s the only way they’ll ever hear you.--JJJ