Michael Vick: The New OJ?
Initially I had no intention whatsoever about writing a post about Michael Vick considering that sports posts get very little response on this site…but with the media circus surrounding the case…I couldn’t help but wonder, is Michael Vick the new OJ?
Here is a little background on the story in case you’ve been hiding under a rock:
Vick’s indictment, which was handed down July 17th, alleges that he and three associates sponsored and ran a dog-fighting ring, named “Bad Newz Kennels,” that procured, trained, and fought pit bulls at a 15-acre property owned by Vick in Surry County. The kennel was supposedly established in 2001, the same year Vick was drafted No. 1 overall in the NFL draft.
Bad Newz Kennels” allegedly hosted fights between their dogs and other kennels from North Carolina, Texas, New York, and Washington, D.C. According to the indictment Vick and three others gambled heavily on the fights, sometimes up to $13,000 a fight. The indictment also claims that the kennel executed eight dogs in the month of April for poor performance, using hanging, drowning, electrocution, a .22 caliber pistol, and physical beatings to kill the animals.
While Vick has not been formally accused of executing the dogs himself, the indictment states that he was consulted before the electrocution of at least one of the animals. ”
When you see the protests against him, one can’t help but notice that the supporters and detractors fall on opposite sides of racial lines. It’s no surprise that damn near any case involving a high profile Black male celebrity is going to quickly turn racial. Not only that…a lot of people are extremely ANGRY about the charges against him. Personally…I can’t say that I have an overwhelming amount of sympathy for Michael Vick IF he is guilty because as a Black man he should’ve known better than to jeopardize his millions and a successful career over a petty dogfighting ring. However…all of the extreme hatred against him is downright absurd and totally uncalled for. It’s amazing how much venom and energy people are putting into protesting Vick when there are dozens of other issues in the world that certainly warrant this kind of attention and protest.
So what do you guys think about the case? Is this a race thing in the sense that he’s getting persecuted more than someone else would or are people just overly extreme about animal rights? Do you think Vick is being treated unfairly or did he bring this upon himself by allegedly allowing this stuff to go down on his property?
Posted by Reecie
File under “No F//ing Excuse” with Weezy kissing Baby, MJ touching kids, and Don Imus.
For this, fuck Michael Vick.
Well of course there will be venom…..its a sick sport and people love dogs. Its disgusting and there is no excuse…at all.
lol @ dogfighting…..i dunno even what to say!
It has nothing to do with race, ppl are just really sensitive when it comes to animals, especailly dogs. Regardless of race, this is not an issue that the majority of America is going to take lightly.
Somebody should chop his cock off.
I have been following the Vick case very closely. This is not a racial issue. There would be the same outrage if the charges were made against Peyton Manning. Vick certainly has brought out interesting perspectives: 1) Al Sharpton wrote a letter supporting PETA’s position that companies should withdraw products that Vick endorsed. On the other hand, 2) Rich Limbaugh stated on the air that the protests against Vick calling for endorsement withdrawls and banishment from the NFL were examples of extreme hysteria since Vick has not yet gone through the legal process.
I hope he did not do it….b/c if he did, it is unfortunate that you lose your career and potentially 100+ million dollars over petty cash to him. In terms of race, i just hate that another brother is fitting a stereotype of criminal behavior… but I do not think it is as divided as OJ. From what i’m gathering, most think there is a good chance he actually did it.
He looks like Chris Rock on steroids.
I really don’t respect animals that much so if the dogs were his property, then so be it. But that’s just me. I don’t think he should serve anytime. A fine will do, but let’s play some football. Chargers all the way this year!
Those two ladies in the picture are kind of hot.
I say let the legal process play out… they are already convicting him without the trail going down…if he did the crime then pay the price… I love animals myself.. but come on pit bull fighting has been going on for years and years
Good take on this story here: http://averagebro.blogspot.com/2007/07/this-aint-about-racism-mike-vick-is.html
I know y’all remember the dude who had road rage and threw that lady’s dog into the highway and got 6 years in jail. He was white.
America doesn’t play with pets. Believe that.
i dunno, it seems like some of these pet-lovers were just on stand-by to prejudge vick. if he did it, i think theres a little something wrong w/ him mentally… but i mean, damn, ppl are calling this guy a dog killer already. i just cant stand it when people get more pissed off over animals than over people. vick wouldve been better off in the public eye if he had killed a few people, which is pretty sad. i, personally, could care less about this guy (he’s still referring to himself in the 3rd person), but as one of the few starting black QBs in the league, its sad to see him mess up so bad (if he’s guilty). im just glad mcnabb can save face for black QBs (go eagles!). and not to say that race is the main reason why ppl are mad (clearly its the animal cruelty), but it would be VERY interesting to see how people would respond if it were, say, carson palmer in the same position (i think the response would def. be different).
redshade is trippin right now. I’ll even admit to the fact that I think he’s guilty as well, but I would never say “fuck Vick” because of this. The man made a mistake, a mistake of not leavin his hood ways behind him and it came back to bite him in the ass. MIKE VICK IS NO OJ SIMPSON! OJ killed somebody… or at least was tried for MURDER. Yes it’s not right to kill dogs or fight them, and it is a felony… but it’s NOT MURDER. redshade, you may feel betrayed because you invested some time and energy into the man, but forreal… he’s just like you and me, he fucked up. Give the man a break… and PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE let him get his day in court!!!
Well it’s interesting to see the differences of opinion on the topic.
At any rate…I wasn’t suggesting that gravity of the charges against Vick are on the same level of OJ Simpson…I’m referring moreso to the polarization of case and the massive amount of venom (even witnessed by some posters here).
Ya know, Its an Extreme but RedShade may have a point if Micheal Vick was also going around knowingly giving Women Herpes (i.e Ron Mexico Situation). Nevertheless, this Bonanza is getting out of hand. It is becaming sensationalize and drawing our imediate attention off of more pertinent issues (i.e. war, elections, current economy). We have more comments on this then the election blog post. Honestly, dog fighting is cruel and if you ever watch it and enjoy that from of entertainment, then something is wrong with you to. I personally don’t care how long it has been going on or its traditional background or its likeness to other brutal sports. I’m not a dog lover like that but if Vick is stupid enough to risk millions for a rackerteering and felony dog fighting, just for some chump change then he deserve to be arraigned. However, if his participation was minimal, then a fine would be appropiate. But yea he is getting crucified right now and it should be a lesson learn for all of the Black, rich and famous. But we never learn, do we?
Still I dont care like that anyway. I don’t have his millions and I’m a raider fan. Culpepper and Russell Baby!!! Silver and Black QB’s
Notice - All of the protestor people err whatever are White.
Just wanted to point that out.
I am somewhat mixed on the issue due to the fact that I am strongly opposed to dog fighting I think that it is completely senseless and excessively cruel. On the other hand, it seems as though Vick is the “target of choice” in order to deflect the public from other issues. Quite frankly, Vick is not the only (nor the first) man in America to participate in dog fighting…believe me. So this should have been as big of an issue the moment a non celebrity was excused of the same crime. It just seems as though certain issues fail to become relevant to society or the media until a celebrity is accused (i.e. Paris Hilton). So with all this being said, if Vick was in fact stupid enough to risk his success, endorsements, etc. to see two four legged animals demolish each other let him deal with the consequences.
vick and his brother have stayed in the light when it comes to getting in trouble…dude should know better…im not gonna front though. on a sunday in the park. when all the hood comes out, cars, rims, tv’s, chicks in booty shorts…there are dudes tht let there pits fight it out in the park…we’ve all seen it…so its nothing new to our people…so you gotta give him the benefit of doubt
…but tht dsnt mean the white folks will
how can you not expect “extreme hatred”…what he did and/or allowed to happen on his property is disgusting…that was deff one of those news stories where i just let me jaw hang
Vick is not at all the new OJ. OJ committed a crime and got away with it. Vick is sooooooo not going to get away with this. PETA is no joke, they’ve got groupies everywhere. Imagine if he did get off easy? Those people would do way more than throw red paint at him. It might be better for him if he did get locked up, sad to say.
Mike Vick is innocent! So quit hatin’! Michael Vick a.k.a. Superman (the best dual-threat QB in NFL history! He’ll be back later this season (just wait).
Race is not the issue here! The issue is that here is a high profile player who pretty much finances a illigal sport, nuff said!!! If he is convicted he shouldbe punished, and if cut’s a deal then all along he was guilty!! He’s a street thug with a good arm and fast feet, so what! If Jeffery Dahmer was a great Q-B and we found heads in his trunk would we praise his innocence too?
Race is not the issue here! The issue is that here is a high profile player who pretty much finances a illigal sport, nuff said!!! If he is convicted he shouldbe punished, and if cut’s a deal then all along he was guilty!! He’s a street thug with a good arm and fast feet, so what! If Jeffery Dahmer was a great Q-B and we found heads in his trunk would we praise his innocence too?
I don’t know who this guy is but if he is into dog fight ing then he must be scum. That is the folk that take their entertainment in this form so yep I’ll be pleased to see him lose everything.